anden na het drama in Gambia zijn de gevolgen nog steeds voelbaar. De ouders van de overleden kinderen hebben een rechtszaak aangespannen tegen het ministerie van Gezondheid, fabrikant Maiden Pharmaceuticals en het Medicijnen Controle Agentschap. Ze eisen een schadevergoeding van 235.000 euro per kind wegens nalatigheid. Maar volgens Ebrima Sagnia, woordvoerder van de ouders, gaat het hen niet om het geld. Ze willen dat het systeem verandert, zodat niemand meer hoeft mee te maken wat zij hebben meegemaakt.
Het onderzoek van de Wereldgezondheidsorganisatie (WHO) heeft uitgewezen dat de hoestdranken en siropen die de kinderen hebben ingenomen hoge hoeveelheden van de giftige stoffen di-ethyleenglycol en ethyleenglycol bevatten. Deze stoffen zijn gevaarlijk voor volwassenen en dodelijk voor70 children died in Gambia last year due to acute kidney failure caused by contaminated medicines, according to autopsies conducted on two of the deceased children. The medicines in question were cheap cough syrups and syrups for minor ailments, imported from an Indian manufacturer. The World Health Organization (WHO) investigation revealed that the medicines contained high levels of toxic substances, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are dangerous for adults and fatal for young children. As a result, around 50,000 imported bottles were recalled, and a global warning was issued by the WHO.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of India’s pharmaceutical industry, which produces a third of all medicines worldwide but is known for its lax oversight. It has also highlighted the vulnerability of poor countries like Gambia, which heavily rely on these often inexpensive medicines.
In response to the tragedy, a group of 20 parents, including Ebrima Sagnia, whose son died from the toxic cough syrup, have filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health, the manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals, and the Medicines Control Agency. The parentsen hadden, is volgens Sidibé een teken van vooruitgang. „Maar het is niet genoeg. We moeten de hele keten aanpakken, van productie tot distributie.”
Terug in Banjul, in de rechtszaal, vertelt Ebrima Sagnia dat hij hoopt dat de zaak niet alleen gerechtigheid brengt voor de nabestaanden, maar ook verandering. „We willen dat de verantwoordelijken worden gestraft, maar we willen vooral dat dit nooit meer gebeurt.”
De zaak zal naar verwachting nog maanden duren. Maar Sagnia en de andere ouders zijn vastberaden. Ze willen dat er strengere regels komen voor de import en controle van medicijnen. Ze willen dat er meer geïnvesteerd wordt in de gezondheidszorg, zodat er betere faciliteiten en meer gekwalificeerd personeel beschikbaar zijn. En ze willen dat de fabrikanten van ondeugdelijke medicijnen verantwoordelijk worden gehouden voor de gevolgen.
„We willen dat er gerechtigheid komt voor onze kinderen”, zegt Sagnia. „En we willen dat hun dood niet voor niets is geweest.”
How can public awareness campaigns about the dangers of counterfeit or contaminated drugs contribute to preventing similar incidents in the future
Led that the cough syrups and syrups contained high levels of toxic substances, namely diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. These substances pose a danger to adults and are fatal for children.
In response to this tragedy, the parents of the deceased children have filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health, the manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals, and the Medicines Control Agency. They are seeking a compensation of 235,000 euros per child due to negligence. However, the spokesperson for the parents, Ebrima Sagnia, emphasizes that their goal is not just about the money. They want to bring about systemic changes to ensure that no one else has to go through what they have experienced.
The impact of this incident is still being felt in Gambia. Families are grieving the loss of their children, and the community is demanding accountability and justice. The contaminated medicines have exposed flaws in the regulatory system, leading to calls for stricter monitoring and testing of imported drugs.
To prevent future tragedies like this, it is crucial for the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action. Strengthening regulations, conducting thorough inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturers, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance are necessary steps to ensure the safety of medication in Gambia.
Furthermore, there is a need for public awareness campaigns to educate individuals about the dangers of consuming counterfeit or contaminated drugs. People should be encouraged to report any suspicious medications to the appropriate authorities to prevent their circulation in the market.
All stakeholders, including the government, pharmaceutical companies, and international organizations like WHO, must work together to address the underlying issues that led to this tragedy. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of citizens, Gambia can prevent similar incidents in the future and protect the health of its population.
The fight for justice and systemic change is ongoing for the parents of the deceased children. Their determination to hold authorities accountable and ensure no one else suffers due to contaminated medicines is commendable. Their efforts serve as a reminder of the importance of a robust healthcare system and the need for continuous vigilance in ensuring the safety of medications.
