The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr. Essa Marenah, has admitted under cross-examination that the agency approved medicines through a process called “Listing”—which does not require laboratory testing—due to the country’s limited testing capabilities. His testimony came during the ongoing civil trial over the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) scandal, in which more than 70 children died after consuming contaminated syrups. Counsel for the plaintiffs argued that the four deadly medicines were never officially registered but merely listed, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight before and after the tragic deaths. More in the report.

The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr. Essa Marenah, came under sharp scrutiny during a tense cross-examination at the High Court on Thursday, as part of the ongoing lawsuit over the deaths of children linked to contaminated medicines. The courtroom tension later spilled outside, where Mr. Marenah confronted a journalist for taking his photo and allegedly attempted to force its deletion. More in the report.

Banjul, The Gambia — The Managing Director of Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Mr Suman, faced intense cross-examination in the High Court as legal proceedings continued over the deaths of more than 70 children allegedly caused by contaminated medicinal syrups imported from India. Plaintiffs’ counsel accused the company of negligence and collusion with Maiden Pharmaceuticals, raising serious questions about regulatory compliance and corporate accountability. More in the report.

The ongoing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) legal battle between some 27 bereaved children against the government and two pharmaceutical companies saw more moving testimonies from parents on how “bad medicines” killed their children. More in the report.

During the continuation of the AKI Court Case hearing on the afternoon of 23rd January 2025, witnesses narrated how their children died soon after ingesting paracetamol syrups prescribed by doctors from the hospital. More in this report.

Our latest publication on the marathon AKI Court case hearing, which took most of 23rd January 2025, highlights how Justice Ebrima Jaiteh accepted the substitution of two witness statements. The AKI Court case has seen some 27 bereaved parents file a lawsuit against the government and two pharmaceutical companies. More in Askanwi’s first publication from the whole day’s court hearing.

This publication aims to give some brief description of Bipolar Disorder in an attempt to sensitize and destigmatize popular belief against people suffering from this mental health condition. More in the report.

The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA), a NGO committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health rights since its inception in 1968, conducted an HIV and AIDS screening event on Saturday, 28th December 2024, at Banjul’s Family Planning Regional Chapter at Long Street. More in the report.

Information Minister Dr. Cessay claimed that the 2025 Budget allocates over D5 billion to help. Our reporter got hold of the 2025 Draft Budget to highlight that the Minister had it wrong and only D4.8 billion was allocated to Health in 2025. More in this report.

After Askanwi posted about an unidentified lady around Kerr Serign junction on 19th November 2024, who was behaving erratically towards people in the streets, our reporter and some passersby assisted her to access medical attention, where she was later taken by the Police to Nemban Clinic.

More in this report.