Young Life in Freetown | Journalist’s death puts healthcare under spotlight


The death of a 33-year-old Sierra Leonean journalist has put healthcare under the spotlight.

Arthur Ben Tucker, whose articles have been published in local and international newspapers, died Saturday while being treated for an unknown illness by a traditional healer, according to social media reports.

A former reporter for The New Vision Newspaper, Tucker specialized in court reporting but covered politics, community and human-interest stories, a colleague said in an obituary posted in Native Think Tank’s WhatsApp group.

Tucker’s death sent shock waves through the Native Think Tank (NTT) community and was trending on WhatsApp, where he used the handle @NativeIsatu.

“Arthur hid behind a veil,” noted one obituary. “This veil turned out to be the most ignored of species— the female. In death, that decision has only enlarged his status.”

Isatu is one of the most popular girl names in Sierra Leone.

@Peebeck said in a news release that he watched Tucker grow from a young Fourah Bay College graduate in 2010/12 “into a prolific writer.”

Tucker wrote stories on land grabbing, young Africans risking their lives on the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe, and rampant political corruption.

 “Arthur earned himself a respectable image by contributing to community problems and national issues. He was hardworking and very through,” @Peebeck said. 

“I never met him,” wrote another NTT subscriber. “But during our (WhatsApp) debates, I mentioned that I wasn’t feeling well. He expressed his sympathy and said that he too was unwell and was at 34,” she added.

It’s not known when Tucker left the care of doctors at the 34th Regimental Military Hospital in Wilberforce, Freetown, for a traditional healer in Waterloo, about thirty-three miles away.

“Wrong diagnosis is common in Sierra Leone,” observed one NTT subscriber.
 “Misdiagnosis is evidence of a broken healthcare system; no proper facilities and expertise,” wrote another. 

“Sad the way young people are losing their lives. Some of the causes of death are avoidable in societies with quality medical facilities. Whenever people lose faith in medical facilities, herbal or traditional medicine becomes the norm,” said another. 

Colleagues at NTT WhatsApp have established a fund for Arthur’s pregnant wife and his family in Bonthe, Bo, and Kenema, all towns, and cities in the southeastern part of Sierra Leone where Arthur was born.  He attended the Holy Trinity School and The Grammar School.

Arthur will be buried Wednesday, April 5. Prayers will take place at the 34 Hospital Mosque and he will be laid to rest at the Wilberforce cemetery.


Reporting for Young Life in Freetown, I'm Inyilla Borteh Conteh

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Women’s Day 2022: Ignite Power’s all-women team electrified 60 Health Clinics in Sierra Leone

Image
This year, the UN theme for International Women's Day is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” which recognizes the contribution of women and girls to build a more sustainable future for all. There is no doubt gender equality sits at the heart of a sustainable future, and that solar energy has a vital role in establishing both. With gender equality being at the core of its operations throughout Africa, Ignite Power is impacting millions of women, customers, and employees alike. This week, the company announced the conclusion of an extensive electrification project in Sierra Leone, providing 60 remote clinics and health facilities with lightning and electricity, with installations and end-user training done by an all-women team. The project was executed for We Care Solar, a global organization working to electrify last-mile health clinics and reduce maternal mortality in developing regions. The project is part of the Light Every Birth initiative by We Care Solar, aiming
Read more

COVID-19 vaccination rollout begins in Sierra Leone

Image
  Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation has issued a public notice about its COVID-19 vaccination drive. According to the notice, the first phase began on Monday, March  22, and will continue through Wednesday, March 31. Target beneficiaries are below: Health care workers (Public & Private) Every Health care worker irrespective of age. Military Officers Age 40 years and above Police Officers Age 40 years and above Fire Force Officers Age 40 years and above Prison Officers Age 40 years and above Teachers (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Lecturers and Instructors (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Social Workers Age 40 years and above Custom & Immigration Officers Age 40 years and above General Public Age 70 years and above The following health facilities have been designated as vaccination sites:  BOMBALI  Makeni Gov’t Hospital  Kamabai CHC KONO  Koidu Gov’t Hospital  UMC Jiama Sewafe MOYAMBA  Moyamba Gov’t Hospital  Njala University
Read more

Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah explores her role as a Social Worker

Image
Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah is a third-year student at Fourah Bay College. KJ was also the inaugural recipient of the Hannah Deen for Social Care Scholarship Award, funded by 9River Media, in January 2020. This August, KJ wrote about teenage pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdown period,  peer pressure, and poverty.  In her second interview, KJ continues her conversations with young people in her coastal community in western Freetown, Sierra Leone. Listen to what the Save the Children Sierra Leone volunteer says about the negative impact of the pandemic on children and families.   Other articles by Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah Teenage Pregnancy in Sierra Leone
Read more