Dalal Jamm Hospital faces investigation over alleged drug trafficking

An administrative report has raised suspicions of drug trafficking at the Dalal Jamm National Hospital Center in Guédiawaye, involving 300 ampoules of injectable midazolam. The incident centers on an alleged attempt to clandestinely exchange the medication, which was reportedly near its expiration date, for other marketable drugs. The potential value of the products is estimated at approximately 790,440 FCFA based on private market prices.

Professor Ahmadou Bamba Kouéimel Fall, the former head of the pharmacy service, has called for an investigation. He stated that he opposed the operation and requested the drugs be held temporarily, but the products were instead returned to the provider four days later. Fall expressed concerns that the return could allow the medication to enter informal or clandestine markets.

Dr. Samba Guèye, the hospital director, defended the decision to return the products. He explained that the hospital faced a stock shortage and had authorized procurement from a supplier other than the National Pharmacy Supply (PNA) to avoid service interruptions. Guèye maintained that returning the unused products to the supplier, Petit-Ouzin, was a transparent practice intended to avoid the hospital being held responsible for goods it did not intend to consume.