“Distinguished Honourable Speaker and National Assembly Members, I believe that our country has been assaulted. This is an aggression against our people from greedy, unscrupulous people,” he said.
“The manufacturing, the importation and distribution of contaminated drugs is criminal and the government sees it that way. However, due diligence needs to be carried out to get to the root cause of this matter.”
At least 70 out 82 children who were diagnosed with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) have died with a link to the consumption of medicines from Maiden Pharmaceuticals Company in India.
Alagie S. Darbo, the minority leader and lawmaker for Brikama North Constituency, after the Assembly’s minute silence on the deaths of 70 children, tabled the Motion to allow legislators debate on the matter in the Third Extraordinary Session Legislative Year 2022 on AKI Health Emergency for the Select Committee on Health to launch an investigation in order to hold those responsible accountable.
The National Assembly Health committee is expected to investigate and report by 30 November 2022.
According to Hon. Darbo, the National Assembly Select Committee on Health will "investigate the root cause (s) of the deaths of 70 children in the country and also the effectiveness of the current measures being undertaken by the Ministry of Health to address the AKI cases and contaminated medical drugs" among others.
"Wonders shall never end in this country if we fail to take responsibility," former majority leader and Member for Kombo South Kebba K. Barrow said. "People must take responsibility. People must take responsibility for their deeds."
"The NCA, the Health Ministry and the Pharmaceutical Council should take responsibility."
