The demand was made at a press conference held at the National Youth Parliament (NYP) on Tuesday, where GALA said Gambians deserve to know whether hospitals have functioning backup power systems to protect patients when electricity fails.
According to testimony from Gassama’s grieving family, he walked into Brikama General Hospital under his own strength on Saturday 29th and was placed on oxygen. Within minutes, the power failed.
GALA said he was moved to another ward with a standby generator, but by the time he arrived, he had already grown critically weak. When a nurse was called to assist, the group alleged that she refused, claiming it was not her duty.
“It was left to Ebrima’s own family and bystanders to try to save him by then it was too late,” GALA stated.
The organisation is now demanding that the state disclose the condition of backup power infrastructure at Brikama General Hospital and across all public health facilities in the country.
GALA said such disclosure would help establish whether hospitals are adequately prepared to keep critical services running during power outages and prevent another death under similar circumstances.
The group also called for a full, independent investigation into the circumstances of Gassama’s death, including the power outage and the conduct of hospital staff.
It further demanded accountability for any negligence found, including disciplinary and legal action, as well as immediate government investment to address chronic infrastructure failures in the healthcare system.
“This is not simply a tragedy; this is the predictable outcome of a healthcare system starved of investment oversight and accountability.”
GALA said Gassama’s death must not be reduced to a statistic, insisting that his family deserves justice and the public deserves answers.
“The death of comrade Ebrima must not be in vain,” the group said.
