By Kawsu Daffeh
Two rights groups have called for “an immediate, independent and transparent” investigation into the death of Ebrima Gassama following allegation of “medical negligence”.
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) and the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) made the call during a joint press conference held Tuesday at the National Youth Parliament in Banjul.
GALA and EFSCRJ came up with their call for independent probe into the matter following allegations by Gassama’s family that medical negligence may have contributed to his death.
Members of the Gassama family attended the press briefing and gave an account of events surrounding Ebrima Gassama’s death. His younger brother, Omar Gassama, recounted what he said happened after they arrived at the health facility, alleging delays in receiving emergency medical attention.
Omar said Ebrima initially appeared stable despite complaining that his chest pain had returned.
“It was during Maghrib prayers. I was taking ablution when Ebrima told me his chest pain had come back. I told him to wait until I finished so I could take him in. He walked into the hospital by himself,” Omar narrated. He said Ebrima’s condition deteriorated rapidly after they arrived at the health facility.
According to Omar, he approached a nurse he knew and explained his brother’s condition. He alleged that the nurse identified Ebrima as an asthma patient and advised him to obtain medication from a pharmacy, saying the required treatment was unavailable at the facility.
Omar said he went to purchase the medication, during which time the hospital experienced power outage.
“I came back with the medicine to Outpatient Department (OPD) but there was no electricity. We were moved to maternity wing with the help of a student nurse and a stabilizer. By then, his condition was worse,” he said.
Omar further alleged that when he returned to the OPD seeking urgent assistance, he found a nurse using her mobile phone.
“I ran back to OPD for help and found a nurse scrolling on TikTok,” he alleged.
He said he informed the nurse that his brother was experiencing an emergency but claimed that there was no immediate response.
According to Omar, another member of staff eventually arrived, but his brother’s condition had by then become critical.
“One of my brothers then told me in Mandinka, ‘he’s gone,’” he recounted.
Following the family’s account, GALA and EFSCRJ called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether any individuals or institutions should be held responsible.
The rights bodies said the case also raised broader concerns about challenges within the health system, including power outages, shortages of medical equipment, delays in emergency care and alleged inattention by some health workers.
“Authorities must hold to account anyone found responsible,” the organisations said, while urging the government to address staffing shortages, emergency response capacity and electricity supply at health facilities.
They stressed that the investigation should be independent and transparent to establish the facts and provide accountability to the bereaved family.
The call comes amid growing public concern over frequent power outages and their potential impact on essential services, including healthcare.
GALA and EFSCRJ said weaknesses in emergency services and interruptions to electricity supplies could pose serious risks to patients requiring urgent medical attention.
The organisations said they would continue to follow the matter and pursue “all lawful and constitutional means” to ensure that the Gassama family received justice.
The allegations made at the press conference have not been independently verified. A credible investigation would therefore be required to establish the circumstances surrounding Ebrima Gassama’s death and determine whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.
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