Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has coordinated a medical and welfare intervention at Daara Medina Suwaneh, a Quranic school located in Brufut Heights, following disturbing reports of poor health conditions among the children residing there.
According to a press release issued by the GID, the operation was triggered by an encounter between the Director General of Immigration, Mr. Ebrima Mboob, and a group of minors during a routine morning workout along the Brufut beach. The children were observed swimming with visible skin rashes, wounds, and other signs of infection.
“The alarming conditions of these minors resulted in the mobilization of a joint operation consisting of the GID Child Welfare Unit, GID Intelligence, and the Gambia Police Force Child Welfare Unit,” The Statement Said.
The statement further noted that the purpose of the operation was to evaluate the living conditions and general well-being of the minors.
As a result of the inspection, sixty-one (61) Arabic students, commonly known as Talibehs, were initially transported to the Brusubi Police Station for further assessment.
“This inspection subsequently resulted in the initial transportation of sixty-one (61) Arabic students, commonly referred to as Talibehs, to the Brusubi Police Station for further processing. Interviews and relevant procedural processes were conducted at the police station to understand efforts made in providing medical support to the children, considering their rights to accessible healthcare,” The Statement Said.
The GID further reported that public health officials from the Sukuta and Brufut Health Centres were subsequently engaged to assess the health conditions of the children at their residence in Brufut Heights.
According to the statement, preliminary medical assessments were carried out on May 26, 2025, by the Regional Principal Public Health Officer for Western Region 1, in collaboration with the Program Coordinator of the Epidemiology and Disease Control (EDC) Unit. The findings revealed that out of 101 minors examined, 57 were diagnosed with scabies—a highly contagious skin infection caused by mites and commonly spread through close physical contact.
“The affected individuals include 35 Gambians, 17 Senegalese, and 5 Bissau-Guineans, all residing in a crowded and unhygienic environment, posing serious health risks. The lack of adequate medical attention from the guardians exacerbated their condition, severely affecting their health and overall well-being. The situation is handed over to Public Health Officials for medical attention and relevant public health actions,” the Statement Said.
The Statement added that “In light of this, the Director General has informed and conducted a teleconference with the National Security Adviser, Director of Public Health, the Minister of Presidential Affairs who doubles as Chief of Staff, and the Senegalese Defence Attaché. Action points are drawn to further enforce remedial actions to safeguard the children’s well-being and protection together with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare,” The Statement Said.
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) urges parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the living conditions and environments in which their children reside, especially those enrolled in boarding schools. Additionally, the GID calls on key government institutions—including the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education; and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare—along with other stakeholders, to establish and enforce robust regulatory and monitoring frameworks to ensure the protection of children, in accordance with the Children’s Act 2005 and other applicable legal provisions.
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