–Following Alleged Medical Negligence
MONROVIA – The John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and a staff anesthesiologist are facing a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit over the alleged medical negligence that led to the deaths of 26-year-old Lovette Tamba and her unborn child. JFK is Liberia’s premier healthcare institution.
The suit, filed at the Civil Law Court on behalf of Tamba’s orphaned four-year-old son, Destiny Obey Kerkula, alleges gross malpractice and a systemic failure in care that culminated in the tragic double fatality in January 2025. According to the court documents, Tamba, who was 26 weeks pregnant, arrived at JFK with mild abdominal pain.
The lawsuit claims her condition catastrophically worsened after she was administered multiple medications, leading to a preterm rupture of membranes and severe bleeding. The complaint details a series of alleged failures: critical procedures were delegated to an unqualified student nurse, faulty medical equipment was used, and Tamba was left untreated for hours as her condition deteriorated.
This delayed intervention, the suit argues, directly resulted in the death of her fetus and, subsequently, her own from cardiac arrest due to massive blood loss.
Adding a layer of controversy, the hospital allegedly produced two conflicting death certificates—one provided to the grieving family and a different version filed with the Ministry of Health.
The findings of an investigation by the Liberia Medical Board corroborate the family’s claims, confirming that Tamba’s death was caused by massive blood loss exacerbated by a critical delay in treatment.
The plaintiffs state that all attempts to resolve the matter out of court were met with dismissal or unproductive meetings with JFK officials who lacked the authority to negotiate.
This forced the family to pursue litigation.
The lawsuit seeks $17 million in damages from the hospital and $8 million from anesthesiologist Dr. Gonkernue Nuahn personally, holding them responsible for what it describes as “deliberate and reckless actions” that have left a young child without his mother and sibling.
Neither JFK Hospital nor Dr. Nuahn has issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
Established in 1971, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital has long been the nation’s flagship hospital, providing advanced medical care and training for healthcare professionals.
Named after the 35th President of the United States, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center has played a critical role in Liberia’s healthcare system for over five decades. It has not only provided advanced medical care but also trained generations of healthcare professionals.
