'Beautiful soul' Zana died from rare condition, inquest hears

TEENAGER HAD BEEN STRUGGLING WITH HER HEALTH FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE DEATH

- KELLY ASHMORE News Reporter

Zana Afifa, who died aged 18 after common symptoms masked a rare condition

A “BEAUTIFUL soul” who “dreamed of becoming a nurse” died from a ‘rare’ condition within hours of being discharged from hospital.

Zana Afrifa had been struggling with severe abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation for almost two years before her tragic death on September 18, 2021.

The 18-year-old, from Smethwick, had been to hospital and her GP on six occasions since October 2019, where her symptoms were often attributed to constipation.

Zana, who was the youngest of seven siblings, was taken to Sandwell Hospital’s A&E department on the evening of September 16, 2021.

She had suddenly began to experience severe abdominal pain, accompanied by vomiting and constipation.

Her mother said Zana was in extreme distress while waiting to be seen, crying out in pain and repeatedly vomiting.

Zana, an aspiring nurse who was studying health and social care at college, was examined in the early hours of September 17. She was told she was constipated and treated with an enema before being discharged.

However, Zana remained unwell and was found unresponsive in bed by her mother the next morning.