Liberia: SUP Demands Justice for Lovette Tamba’s Death at JFK Hospital

Monrovia – The Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) is demanding justice for 32-year-old Lovette Tamba, a University of Liberia student who died on January 14, 2025, due to alleged medical malpractice at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Hospital.

Tamba, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sought treatment for stomach pain at JFK on January 9. Her family claims that negligence during her care led to her death. Despite multiple requests, neither JFK Hospital nor the Liberia Medical and Dental Council has taken substantial action to investigate.

In a statement released on February 10, SUP Chairman Sylvester Wheeler accused JFK officials of delaying accountability and protecting those responsible for Tamba’s care. “The life of comrade Lovette Tamba matters, and we will not rest until those responsible for her death are held accountable. The silence surrounding her case is unacceptable,” Wheeler said.

SUP also condemned the increasing number of unexplained deaths of young people in Liberia, criticizing the government for failing to protect its citizens. “We’re tired of discovering dead bodies all around the country,” the party said, calling for immediate government action to ensure the safety of students and the public.

In addition to demanding justice for Tamba, SUP raised concerns about the poor infrastructure at the University of Liberia, including the lack of buses for students at the Fendell campus and inadequate seating across all campuses.

The group has given the government and university administration 72 hours to respond to their demands, threatening “unspecified revolutionary actions” if their requests are not addressed.

Wheeler also highlighted the poor conditions at the university, stating, “Students should not have to protest for basic amenities. The absence of buses and chairs creates unnecessary stress and affects our academic performance.”

SUP further called for an extension of the “Add and Drop” period to address issues with the online registration platform, which has caused confusion for students.

The party warned of mobilizing students for action if their demands are not met and emphasized the need for swift government action to address the urgent issues faced by students and ensure justice for Lovette Tamba.