MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Pressure is mounting on ELWA Hospital as calls for an independent investigation grow following serious allegations of medical negligence made by Jamesetta Kugmeh, a Liberian woman who claims she has been left in critical condition after a botched cesarean section.
Kugmeh’s harrowing account, shared on social media on March 15, has raised widespread concern over the quality of maternal healthcare in Liberia. She alleges that what was meant to be a routine delivery turned into a life-threatening ordeal, leading to severe complications, including kidney failure, liver damage, and the removal of her womb. She further claims to have suffered burns on her legs and back, undergone eight sessions of dialysis without urinating, and experienced a collapsed urethra. Her plea for answers has ignited a wave of public outcry, with many questioning the standards of medical care at ELWA Hospital.
According to Kugmeh, her ordeal began on February 24, 2025, when she visited ELWA Hospital for a routine antenatal care (ANC) appointment. She alleges that doctors informed her that she was past her due date and needed labor induction. Despite her initial reluctance, she agreed to the procedure but claimed it failed to progress, leaving her in extreme pain for hours. On February 25, doctors advised that she undergo a cesarean section (C/S), a decision she ultimately accepted despite her partner’s objections. However, she now describes the operation as the beginning of her suffering, stating, “I accepted, not knowing I was accepting my death.”
Kugmeh further alleges that ELWA Hospital delayed transferring her to another facility after her condition worsened. By the time she was moved to John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), she claims her health had deteriorated significantly. She is now seeking urgent medical attention abroad, fearing that her life is at risk if she does not receive advanced treatment.
In response to her distressing account, activist Martin Kollie has taken up her cause, calling for swift intervention from health authorities. In a statement on March 15, Kollie described Kugmeh’s situation as a “medical emergency” and stressed that ELWA Hospital must be held accountable. He revealed that he had spoken with both the Minister of Health and the President of the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), who assured him they would investigate the case. However, no official statement has been issued by these authorities so far.
Kollie also launched a fundraising campaign to facilitate Kugmeh’s advanced medical treatment, urging the public to contribute. He expressed concerns that if a registered nurse like Kugmeh could face such medical complications, the situation could be even worse for ordinary Liberians who lack medical knowledge or financial resources. “If this can happen to a professional health worker, just imagine what has been happening to our people who are not even health professionals,” Kollie stated, emphasizing the urgent need for healthcare reforms in Liberia.
