Baffling AKI argument
Mr. President, it could be true that some children, out of the 70 syrup-related deaths, died of AKI (Acute Kidney Injury) after alleged consumption of the contaminated syrup and others died without consuming it, as recently alleged by the Medicine Control Agency (MCA) of The Gambia. Furthermore, the point that a forensic test or pathological examination will be the best to verify the deaths is also vital.
However the argument that the cause of AKI is not known and that kids died without consuming the suspected drugs is baffling to many Gambians, especially the affected families.
While we are waiting for the forensic test to know the actual cause of death, it is a fact that AKI, as a result of contaminated syrup, has caused deaths not only in The Gambia but also in Indonesia, according to WHO reports. It has to be considered that many Gambians, especially the most affected, still believe that the deaths of their children were caused by AKI.
Mr. President, the issue of AKI which recently killed 70 Gambian children is a national disaster and Gambians are saddened and angry over the incident.
The public expects government to act decisively on the case and hold all officials and pharmacy owners of the contaminated syrup and paracetamol accountable. Government should sue the Indian pharmacy concerned with all the clear evidences and reports and claim for millions of dollars that can be used to compensate victims’ families. This calls for police investigations to be expeditiously concluded. Gambians will not take any excuse of medical explanations that the children could have died of other illness(s) than AKI due to bad medicines especially in the light of WHO confirmed reports of AKI incidents in the Gambia and in Indonesia.
The image of your government and that of the country is at stake in this serious mishap in the country’s health system.
Hence, while we await the result of a pathological examination, we expect to see a fair conclusion of the matter.
Gender parity
Mr. President, we would also like to highlight the importance of gender parity in governance.
It needs not be overemphasised that women are playing a key role in the politics, trade and national development of The Gambia. In the electoral system or among the electorate, 57% are women voters. Under your leadership, it will be good that your government consider the role of the women as you make appointment in government, especially in Cabinet, boards of parastatals or public enterprises and in the Public Service Commission.
For instance, the Public Service Commission was recently constituted without a single woman being appointed to be part of it. This is a serious oversight that should be taken into consideration whenever you are making similar appointments in the MDAs – Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government.
Another point of note is that among the 20 ministers in your Cabinet, only three of them are female. It is advisable that more female ministers are appointed to serve in the Cabinet and generally the government. Equally so, female MPs are to be encouraged to work harder and play pivotal role in the National Assembly. Also, in the diplomatic circles, we need more female ambassadors and High Commissioners, as this will help to enhance gender parity, which is the order of the day. Currently there are 23 ambassadors/high commissioners among whom four are female. It has also been noted that among your team of advisers, there is no female personality.
Also we have noted that there is only one female who is serving as chairperson out of all the heads of boards of directors in public institutions which is the Gambia Radio and Television Services.
In The Gambia today, we have well-educated and experienced women who should be given opportunities to head public institutions.
Mr. President, it must be noted that just as a bird or aircraft cannot fly on one wing, so also a prosperous nation cannot be built or developed on one sex or gender, for the strength and growth of a nation depend not only on the capacity and ability of men but also on that of women.
Good Day!