Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and relatives of U.S. first Ebola patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, are citing racism as the contributing factor for the African's death.
Duncan, a Liberia native who arrived in America in September became the first Ebola case of the country after being tested positive in a series of blood test. After his death on Wednesday, many criticisms came out regarding the kind of treatment that the 42 year-old patient received from the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. It can be recalled that Duncan first visited the hospital on Sept.24 after manifesting low-grade fever; however, the health care team discharged him the following day.
On Sept. 28, Duncan again visited the hospital after becoming sick with symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain and after being positive with Ebola. With his death on Wednesday, Jesse Jackson Sr. along with Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price couldn't help, but argue that Duncan's race and lack of privilege have something to do with the kind of treatment he received from the said facility.
The Liberian native is not the first person to seek treatment in the U.S. It can be recalled that there were other Ebola patients diagnosed in Africa who were flown to America to receive quick and intensive treatment which spared their lives. This is actually being condemned by Jesse Jackson saying that the prompt treatment that Duncan needed was not achieved.
"... came back to Atlanta and Nebraska got quick treatment and early treatment, and their lives have been spared... That did not happen with Eric Duncan," he said referring to the other patients in the country.
Aside from the criticisms regarding the hospital treatment that Duncan received, his mother also shared her sentiments by saying that the hospital did not tell her about her son's death. With all the clamors coming from Jesse Jackson and Duncan's family, an investigation is being considered by the federal and state authorities.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
