By Alieu Ceesay
The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly has uncovered a significant breach of protocol at Bansang General Hospital, revealing that the hospital’s board approved a 100% increase in its allowances without the required approval from the Ministry of Health. The findings, presented by Honourable Alagie Darboe during a parliamentary session on Thursday, have sparked calls for immediate investigation and accountability.
According to the FPAC report, the hospital’s board independently doubled its allowances on two separate occasions. On September 11, 2021, the board increased its allowance from GMD 1,500 to GMD 3,000. Just three months later, on December 18, 2021, it further increased the allowance to GMD5,000. Both decisions were made without documented approval from the Minister of Health, raising serious concerns about governance and oversight.
“The Committee noted with grave concern that the Board discussed and approved the increment of its allowances without any evidence of approval by the Minister for both increments,” Darboe stated while tabling the report before lawmakers in Banjul. The FPAC has demanded that the hospital’s management provide minutes of the meetings where these decisions were made within 14 days of the report’s adoption. Additionally, the Committee has requested that the Ministry of Health investigate the matter and submit a report to FPAC within 30 days.
The revelations form part of the FPAC’s broader scrutiny of the Auditor General’s Report on the Audited Accounts of the Government of The Gambia for the financial year ending December 31, 2020. The audit also encompasses Annual Activity Reports and Audited Financial Statements of various public institutions, including hospitals and local government councils, for the period 2019 to 2021.
The report also flagged serious irregularities at Kanifing General Hospital, where expired drugs were found on shelves and, in some cases, issued to patients. The Committee condemned this practice, recommending that the hospital immediately cease distributing expired medications and ensure proper disposal of all such drugs. “Management should ensure that all expired drugs are removed from the shelves and disposed of appropriately,” the report stated.
The findings have raised alarm among lawmakers and the public, highlighting systemic issues in hospital governance and patient safety. The unauthorized allowance hikes at Bansang General Hospital have drawn particular criticism, with many questioning the board’s accountability and the Ministry of Health’s oversight mechanisms. The FPAC’s recommendations aim to restore transparency and ensure compliance with financial and operational regulations.
As the National Assembly deliberates on the report, all eyes are on the Ministry of Health and the hospitals’ management to address these issues promptly. The mandated investigations and documentation submissions will likely shape the next steps in ensuring accountability and safeguarding public resources. For now, the public awaits the outcomes of these probes, hoping for reforms that will strengthen trust in The Gambia’s healthcare institutions.
