LIBERIA 'S FORMER FIRST LADY HOSPITALIZED, CRIES FOR HELP FROM U.N.
By J. Cholo Brooks
October 25, 2004

Madam Jewel Howard – Taylor, wife of exiled former Liberian President is critically been hospitalized in Monrovia at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, one of Liberia’s best medical centers, due to what doctors called, “internal bleeding problem making her to suffer from Inflammatory Disease or PID”.

This disease, according to medical doctors talked to at the hospital is a bacterial infection of the upper female genital tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Madam Taylor recently appealed to the United Nations for a temporary lifting of the travel ban imposed by the U.N. to seek medical attention abroad.  According to report the U.N. reportedly denied her request.

Some friends and relatives of the former Liberian First Lady, including her younger Sister, Sandra Howard who were seen at her hospital bed room could not withhold their tears and emotions. “We are urgently calling on the UN to come to the aid of our dear sister and mother; she is dying slowly.” One of the relatives in tears told our Correspondent in Monrovia .

On Sunday, an announcer on one of the local Radio Stations, Power FM could be heard urgently appealing to the UN to see reason to allow Madam Taylor seek medical treatment abroad, “even if Madam Jewel Howard – Taylor can be taken to any of the African Countries for a better medical checkup, it will help to restore her health.” Varney Gbassey, one of Liberia ’s renowned gospel radio DJ said.

Some people talked in Monrovia are also calling on the United Nations to help provide “ways and means for Madam medical checkup”. They said Madam Taylor as a mother played her motherly during the tenure of her husband, Mr. Charles Ghankay Taylor. “We must therefore realize that if anything happens today; leading to her death, Liberia and Liberian will be held responsible.” Emma Smith, a marketer said.