By: Alphanso G. Kalama
Email: alphansokalama@gmail.com
Inspector Murphy Jabateh, who was critically injured in the devastating Totota tank explosion on December 26, 2023, has made a distressing appeal for help from India, claiming that the Liberian government has failed to provide adequate support for his ongoing medical needs. Jabateh, who was on duty at the time of the explosion that resulted in approximately eighty fatalities and numerous injuries, alleges that his treatment and care have been woefully neglected since his arrival in India on July 17, 2024.
According to Jabateh, the Liberian government has been unresponsive to his pleas for assistance and has not adequately covered his escalating hotel bills. He also claimed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. had allocated $19,000 to Police 101 Williams Mulbah for plastic surgery, raising concerns about inconsistent support. Jabateh has been trying to contact Mulbah, who is allegedly responsible for his trip arrangements, but reports no positive response.
In response to these serious allegations, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has issued a detailed statement clarifying their position. The LNP confirmed that Jabateh sustained severe injuries from the explosion and was initially treated at the 14th Military Hospital, where a bill of $5,645 was incurred. Subsequently, he was flown to India for advanced treatment, with initial costs of $19,000 covered by the LNP.
However, the medical expenses in India have surged to $54,000 due to the extensive treatment required, including reconstructive surgery. The LNP negotiated the bill down to $47,000 and is in the process of paying the remaining $28,000 in two phases. The police force asserts that all transactions are well-documented and that Jabateh’s claims of abandonment are unfounded. They urge the public to disregard the misinformation and reaffirm their commitment to ensuring Jabateh’s recovery.
The contrasting narratives have intensified scrutiny on the Liberian government’s handling of this case, raising questions about the adequacy of support provided to its injured personnel.
