But in February in this year, Karwah died from childbirth complications in Liberia, after hospital staff initially refused to help her due to the stigma that still surrounds the disease. She was rushed back to the hospital, but hospital staff initially refused to touch her because of the foam around her mouth, according to Karwah’s sister, Josephine Manly. Karwah died the following day, but Manly believes her sister may have survived the complications if she had received immediate treatment. It is unfortunate that Karwah survived the deadly Ebola disease only to die as a result of the larger yet silent epidemic of health system failure. Unfortunately, as seen in this case, the stigma and discrimination was perpetuated by those who should know better, the healthcare workers on one of their own.

Source: Standard Digital March 21, 2017 19:18 UTC