A Perthshire woman’s adopted son has died of ebola.
Jilly Tambanhabay, 63, was only days away from being reunited with 23-year-old George in Sierra Leone when she was given the heartbreaking news he had fallen victim to the deadly virus.
The experience of seeing the people there struggling to fight the spread of ebola has left a deep and lasting impact on Mrs Tambanhabay who still has two young adopted children living in Sierra Leone.
Now safely back home, Mrs Tambanhabay is still haunted by what she saw and believes Africa is on the brink of a human catastrophe that will resonate beyond its shores unless decisive action is taken.
She is particularly scathing of the lack of control over the free movement from the heart of the crisis through to western airports.
Mrs Tambanhabay described the checks about her health and possible exposure when she flew into Heathrow, potentially having been exposed to people with the disease, as “virtually non-existent”.
She is determined to return to Sierra Leone and has called on the authorities to crack down on corruption in Africa which has meant vital aid has been embezzled.
“I am just very angry,” she said.
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