By: Alieu Ceesay
When Mustapha Ndimballan celebrated the arrival of his newborn on August 9, 2024, he anticipated the bliss of fatherhood in the days ahead. However, he was confronted with a distressing and infuriating ordeal as his wife, Binta Njie, battled for her life following alleged medical “negligence” at Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, where she alleged doctors performed ‘ poor medical procedure’ on her.
“We were just so happy to have our baby, and then everything fell apart,” Mustapha said, his message to TAT filled with relief and anguish. Binta Njie had been admitted to the hospital for a natural delivery, but complications arose due to excessive postpartum bleeding. A quick emergency operation was performed to stop the bleeding, and Mustapha believed his wife was safe—until her condition deteriorated.
After being discharged on August 13, Binta began experiencing severe discomfort, vomiting, and greenish discharge, alarming her family. She was rushed back to Bundung Hospital, where doctors monitored her without much progress. By August 17, her condition worsened, and she was referred to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul. “It was terrifying. Her stomach began to swell abnormally, and no one seemed to know what was wrong,” Mustapha recalled.
At EFSTH, doctors administered strong antibiotics, hoping to reduce the swelling. But after a week with no improvement, they performed a second surgery on August 28, uncovering a horrifying truth—doctors at Bundung had left a mop (towel) inside Binta’s body during the initial surgery. Along with the foreign object, over a liter of pus had accumulated in her abdomen.
“We were devastated,” Mustapha shared, his message includes. “I nearly lost my wife because of someone’s carelessness. It’s something no family should have to go through.”
The discovery shattered Mustapha and his family’s trust in the healthcare system. The emotional and financial toll has been overwhelming, with Binta Njie needing daily care and follow-up appointments even after a month-long stay in the hospital. Her recovery remains uncertain, as doctors warned the mop had shifted her intestines into an abnormal position, increasing the risk of further complications.
“I fear for her every day,” Mustapha said. “She is in constant pain, and we’re told that only time will tell if she will fully heal.”
Determined to seek accountability, Mustapha filed a formal complaint with Mr. Mamady Cham, CEO of Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, on September 11. He also contacted the Deputy Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Momodou T. Nyassi, requesting compensation and health insurance for his wife.
However, his pleas have been met with slow responses and what he feels is deliberate inaction.
“I feel like they’re dragging their feet, hoping I’ll give up,” Mustapha said. “But I won’t. This isn’t just about my wife; it’s about every woman who goes into a hospital trusting the system with her life.”
Mustapha’s fight for justice extends beyond his family. He calls for systemic changes to ensure that no other family suffers the way he has. “If my wife had died, her death would have been attributed to natural causes. They would have moved on like nothing happened,” he said, frustration evident in his text.
Mustapha is now seeking the attention of key stakeholders, including the Office of the First Lady, the Minister of Health, and the Female Lawyers Association-Gambia (FLAG). He wants not only accountability but also reform to prevent future negligence. “How many more families must endure this before meaningful change happens?” Mustapha asked.
As Binta continues her arduous recovery, Mustapha remains steadfast in his call for justice. “We deserve better. Every Gambian deserves equal care and protection under the law,” he declared. “I just want to make sure this never happens again.”
This family’s tragic ordeal has become a rallying cry for accountability in Gambia’s healthcare system. Mustapha Ndimballan hopes their story will inspire change before another family faces a similar nightmare.
Attempts to obtain comments from hospital authorities were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
