(November 24, 2021, Gbediah Town, River Cess, Liberia)—the Minister of Health Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, unveiled a state-of-the-Art modern referral hospital in Gbediah Town, River Cess Country.
The modernized hospital dedicated to the public is the only referral hospital in River Cess since its establishment and will increase access to quality healthcare, as guaranteed under the Universal Health Coverage. It was funded by the German Development Bank through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
The initiative followed after fabrics of the country’s entire health sector was hit by Ebola in 2016. This crisis then exposed the limitation of the health system. Therefore, Welt Hunger Hife and the Ministry of Health designed the Ebola support program in Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Sinoe counties. These multifaceted projects resulted in Welt Hunger Hife constructing over nine health facilities, including the River Cess District Referral hospital, for the government to structure and decentralized infrastructural health that would solidify and strengthen the provision of the quality health service delivery across the nation.
Actualization of this vision has brought in the construction of this modern Referral Hospital that contains a modern theater or operation room, an accidental emergency Unit, Surgical and medical walls, modern laboratories, offices for Doctors and nurses, waste management facilities, administrative buildings, and six houses to accommodate hospital staff.
In addition, the hospital has running water system and 24 hours’ electricity that is powered by 70 kilo wax and 64 KVA solar generator.
The modernized River Cess District Referral Hospital is compared to other major health facilities like the JFK hospital, the Phebe referral hospital, among others. It will provide quality health services and alleviate difficulties faced by people in the county and its surroundings in access health services.
It was a colorful occasion, as Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah was joined by scores of government officials, local and traditional leaders as well as developmental partners to grace the occasion in that part of the country.
“We are all proud owners of this newly constructed hospital”, Dr. Jallah remarks during the occasion marking the official handing over of the hospital’s keys to its administrators. “I am delighted to be with you today to officially accept this hospital from Welt Hunger Hife on behalf of our President Dr. George Manneh Weah”.
With this 80 bedrooms being amongst several projects funded by the people and Government Germany, Dr. Jallah smartly acknowledged their roles in supporting Liberia’s health sector, which have led to its hybrid improvements and sturdy strengthening.
“Liberia’s Health Sector is, indeed, grateful to the German government, KfW and WHH for its continuous support. We have benefited in many ways from this partnership: we have health centers and clinics that have been completed,” Dr. Jallah.
Seeing it as a great feat annexed to improve the health condition of the South-east region, the Liberian energetic health Minister expressed conviction that the facility will radically improve the provision of quality of health service and infrastructure for patients and staff; not only in River Cess, but its neighboring counties, including Sinoe, Grand Gedeh and Grand Bassa Counties. “This will benefit us in immediate future”, Dr. Jallah.
Assuring the German government and Welt Hunger Hife’s genuine support and commitment towards the actualization and implementation of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led government Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development was the Country Director of Welt Hunger Hife-Liberia, Mr. Hubert Charles. He expressed gratitude to the Liberian government for exercising leadership and taking decisive action to support the implementation of the project that contributes significantly to the PAPD; not only by expanding access to essential health services but also to strengthen the Country’s health delivery system.
“Hon. Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, River Cess District Referral Hospital comprise amongst others the following: a modern operating theatre, an accidental emergency Unit, Surgical and medical walls, modern laboratories, offices for Doctors and nurses, etc,” Mr Charles explained.
The occasion was marked with signing of certificates. Deputy Health Minister for Administration, Norwu Howard, signed on behalf of the Liberia’s government while Hubert Charles signed on behalf of Welt Hunger Hife.
“I envision a hospital where people of around the world will travel to study tropical diseases and do research on communicable and non-communicable diseases; where our students, doctors and nurses will come and learn the act of caring for the sick. As I walk around the land, I imagine a sustaining facility where we can grow our own food and feel our patients. My signature on these documents signifies our commitment to ensure we implement and adhere to standard capable for the full operation of this facility”, Minister Howard expressed after affixing her signature on the hospital’s document.
Signed: _____________________________
Felecia Gbesioh Director of Communications, MOH/R