By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Months before the discovery of their bodies, Alphonsine Djiako Leuga contacted emergency services, the inquest revealed. The bodies of Alphonsine and her disabled daughter, Loraine Choulla, were found in their Nottingham home on May 21, 2024, after concerns were raised. The pair were believed to have been deceased for an extended period. Alphonsine had previously called 999 on February 2nd, stating she was unable to move and feeling cold, however, no assistance was provided.
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Mum and daughter found dead months after a 999 plea is a tragic story that immediately draws you in, forcing reflection on the failures within systems meant to protect the vulnerable. The woman, let’s call her ‘the mother’, first sought medical help on January 26th for a lower respiratory tract infection, receiving blood transfusions due to low iron levels. Right away, it’s clear she was facing serious health challenges. But that wasn’t the only concern; her daughter’s complete dependence on her compounded the worries. The mother’s inability to stay in the hospital due to her daughter’s needs created a precarious situation from the outset, a crucial element of this story.
It’s hard to comprehend how, despite clear medical warnings and a dependent child, the mother was discharged. The fact that she didn’t return for follow-up appointments and was unreachable sends alarm bells. The medical professionals should have taken extra measures to ensure her safety, knowing her circumstances. And then, it gets even worse. On February 2nd, the mother called for an ambulance for both herself and her daughter. She was cold, unable to move, and fresh from a hospital stay with documented health issues.
What happened next is the core of this story, and the heartbreaking element of this tragedy. Despite the urgency of the situation, the ambulance never arrived. The initial account suggested that the emergency medical advisor, wrongly assuming it was an abandoned call, closed the case down. Can you imagine the desperation? The mother, having explained her dire situation, likely believed help was on its way. The heartbreaking truth that they were left to die is utterly devastating.
The narrative implies that the daughter, incapable of self-help, died from starvation and malnutrition, a direct result of her mother’s death and their inability to get medical help. Such an ending, a “missed opportunity” as described, is a gross understatement. This is a failure of the healthcare system, a failure of human compassion, and a failure to uphold the most basic duty of care.
The anger and outrage expressed are completely justified. The call handler’s actions are unforgivable. The questions about why language was asked for in the middle of this tragedy highlight the absurdity and, potentially, the discriminatory nature of the situation. The call handler was more concerned with the speaker’s accent than her medical needs. If the accent had affected whether medical assistance would be sent, then it should be considered a racist motivation. It is essential that such events are not minimized or glossed over as mere “errors.” The impact on these women was permanent.
The comments rightly focus on the failure of the authorities to act. The mother and daughter deserved assistance and care, and the fact that they did not receive it points towards a deeply troubling disregard for human life. There are questions about why this was not treated as a criminal investigation. Why was the emergency medical advisor not named? Those responsible must be held accountable.
The conversation shifts to a larger discussion about healthcare systems, both public and private, and the shortcomings of each. The US system, with its exorbitant costs, is criticized because cost barriers can prevent people from seeking help, leading them to choose between life and bankruptcy. The United States is not the only country where this occurs and the NHS (National Health Service) is not without its problems. This isn’t an issue of public versus private; it’s about gross negligence, poor training, and a lack of compassion within the system.
The tragic case of the mother and daughter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassionate care, and the critical need for accountability. The focus should always be on the people involved, the mother and her daughter. The entire system, or lack of one, inexcusably failed. These women deserved help, they deserved to live, and they deserved to be treated with basic human decency. May they rest in peace.