-As WONGOSOL Calls for Health Sector Reform
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia – The pathetic death of Jamesetta Kugmeh, a Liberian nurse who publicly accused ELWA Hospital of medical negligence following a botched cesarean section, has birthed awkward feelings and renewed calls for healthcare reform. Her passing comes amid growing concerns about medical malpractice in Liberia, coupled with recent scandals including fraudulent credentials held by Dr. Peter Matthew George and the resurgence of Mpox cases.
On March 15, 2025, Jamesetta Kugmeh took to social media to share her ordeal after undergoing a cesarean section at ELWA Hospital that left her with catastrophic health complications. In a Facebook post, she detailed how what began as a routine antenatal visit turned into a nightmare, and accused the hospital of negligence and delayed referrals that worsened her condition.
Despite public fundraising efforts that enabled her transfer to Ghana for advanced medical care, Kugmeh succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia.
In a video recorded during her treatment in Ghana, she expressed her dwindling hope: “I am currently being discharged from hospital and I will continue doing the dialysis until the three months can collapse. But within that time, if I can leave for at least India, I will really appreciate that.”
Nurses Association Demands Accountability
The Liberia Nurses Association (LNA) has joined the many voices demanding justice for Kugmeh. In a statement released on the day of her death, the LNA honored her legacy and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our beloved colleague, Nurse Jamesetta Kugmeh. Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and service to humanity will never be forgotten. You served with purpose, JK, and your absence leaves a void in our hearts and in our profession.”
The association emphasized that Kugmeh’s death raises serious questions about patient safety and medical accountability in Liberia. “But this is more than a moment of mourning—it is a call to action. What happened at ELWA? We cannot stay silent. We must rise—not only in grief but in solidarity—to seek the truth and demand accountability. Her life mattered. The cause of her death raises serious questions. Someone must answer.”
The LNA urged nurses nationwide to use this tragedy as a catalyst for change, advocating for systemic reforms to protect both healthcare workers and patients. “To all nurses: let this be a turning point. Let us mourn her with dignity, but let us also organize, speak out, and advocate for a system that values and protects the lives of those who serve others.” The statement concluded with a demand: “Justice for Nurse Jamesetta Kugmeh.”
WONGOSOL Calls for Health Sector Reform
In a press statement issued early this week, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) urges the need for thorough reform of the health sector’s regulatory bodies to rebuild public trust and ensure the protection of all Liberians. WONGOSOL urge came a day before Kugmeh’s death and weeks after a scandal involving Dr. Peter Matthew George, whose medical license was recently revoked by the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) over allegations of fraudulent credentials.
Dr. George, once a prominent figure in Liberia’s medical community and former President of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA), now stands accused of practicing medicine for years without legitimate qualifications. Investigations suggest his alleged malpractice may have caused irreparable harm to numerous patients, further eroding public trust in the healthcare system.
WONGOSOL’s recommendations include stricter verification processes for medical professionals and sweeping reforms to regulatory bodies to ensure accountability. The organization emphasized that these changes are critical to protecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, who often bear the brunt of healthcare system failures.
Prominent Voices Join the Outcry
Ambassador Mouna Farhat, a respected Liberian woman, has added her voice to the growing demands for justice. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, she questioned the competence of the doctor involved in Kugmeh’s case and called for legal action against medical professionals whose negligence leads to patient harm.
“Who is this Dr. Yeasue who operated on Jamesetta Kugmeh?” Farhat demanded. “She went in for an ordinary antenatal visit and was forced into a C-section. She lost the use of her kidneys—and who knows what else? She was taken to Ghana for dialysis, only to be brought back to Liberia, where she has now passed.” Her concern concurs with widespread frustration over the lack of accountability in Liberia’s healthcare system, where medical errors often go unpunished despite devastating consequences.
The First Alarm
During her revelation on March 15, 2025 – Jamesetta Kugmeh alao explained that on February 24, she went to ELWA Hospital for a routine antenatal check-up, only to be told she was overdue and needed an induction. Despite her objections—citing a similar situation in her first pregnancy where she waited for natural labor—she was admitted. “I left my house healthy for an ordinary ANC visit and they said I was post-due and needed induction,” she wrote. “I told them that even my first pregnancy, it was the same thing and I waited for God’s time but they held me there.”
The induction failed by 7:27 PM, and after hours of pain, doctors informed her the next day that her cervix was not dilating, necessitating a cesarean section. Though her partner refused, Kugmeh agreed, believing the procedure to be minor. “My partner refused but since I understand and know that C/S is just a minor thing, I accepted not knowing I’m accepting my death,” she lamented.
Following the surgery, Kugmeh suffered multiple complications, including kidney and liver failure, a collapsed urethra, severe burns on her legs and back, and a hysterectomy (removal of her womb). She claimed the hospital delayed referring her to another facility, worsening her condition. “One C/S with many complications, delay to refer me, my kidneys are not working, my liver is dying, my womb was removed, my Urethra collapse, sustain burn on my legs and back, and nothing I’m understanding,” she added.
Despite undergoing eight dialysis sessions, she still had not regained kidney function. In desperation, she called on medical authorities, including the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), the Liberian Board of Nursing & Midwifery, and the Ministry of Health, to investigate her case. Her words: “I need answers from ELWA oooo, I want to die knowing why your kill me. I’m calling on the Liberia Medical and Dental Council – LMDC Liberian Board of Nursing & Midwifery Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia to please look into my case. I’m dying in JFK slowly.”
Public outrage continues to mount, with many Liberians demanding immediate action from the Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies. The calls for justice extend beyond Kugmeh’s case, reflecting a collective demand for a healthcare system that prioritizes patient safety and holds negligent practitioners accountable. However, the Ministry of Health has not commented on the matter.
