UNIBOA Donates Medical Supplies To MOH

(October 28, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)— The United Bassa Organization in the Americas (UNIBOA) on Thursday, October 28, 2021 made a donation of injectables and medicines to the Ministry of Health to enhance national government’s efforts during these times of global pandemic.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Ministry, Hon. Norwu G. Howard, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health called on well-meaning Liberians both home and abroad as well as organizations to muster the courage in contributing to the Country for the provision of quality healthcare service delivery.

“I want to say to Liberians out there: no matter what happens Liberia is our home; no matter how long you live in America, Liberia is our home…so I want to thank those Liberians who put their hard earn resources together to solicit assistance for Liberia”, Deputy Minister Howard remarked.

The Minister at the same time pledged the Ministry’s willingness to partnering with organizations so that “we can reach the last Liberian”.

“We stand ready to partner with you all in order to reach to the last mile because there are people who are in dare situations and are in need of our assistance “, she emphasized.

However, presenting the items on behalf of the organization’s President, Abraham Williams was the former President of the organization D. Zeogar Wilson who named excitement and patriotism as tools they have sued to give back and make impact in the country.

Providing the English meaning for the vernacular acronym (UNIBOA) which means “The Child Has Grown” Mr. Wilson flanked by one of UNIBOA’s officials in Liberia James Kelley thanked Trembo National Association of America for helping to support and improve Liberia’s health sector.

The former UNIBOA’s leader stated that even though they are a Bassa organization but they also stretch out their hands to other Counties because, they are all Liberians.

He historicized that when he was National President in 2016, UNIBOA also donated medical supplies to Liberia worth $USD 25,000 and one of the beneficiaries then was the Lutheran Hospital in Lofa County something they are repeating this time around to Gbarpolu County.

“We always extend our helping hands outside of our jurisdiction, because we are all one people “, he maintained.

The donation was made possible through the partnership with the Trembo National Association of America.

The group through its President Harry D. Kpoh Jr, lamented that his organization is also very happy to be a part of this effort which compliments government’s drive in achieving the pressing health needs of every Liberian.

Partnering with different donors in the United States of America, Mr. Kpoh said their goal among other things is to get lifesaving supplies including medical equipment, high protein food and other needs that required for the people of Liberia.

He at the same time acknowledged the good partnership and collaboration both with the Ministry of Health and the United Bassa Organization in the Americas which saw the donation ceremony brought to fruition a reality.

“We value and cherished your collaboration especially the duty free privileges which has greatly help us to in return help our brothers and sisters back home”, he added.

Though the items were donated at the Ministry but will be subsequently transfered to the CH Rennie Hospital; Grand Bassa and Gbarpolu counties.

Signed: __________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

             Director of Communications/MOH/RL

Dr. Jallah Receives VP Jalloh

(October 26, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)—Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah along with team of officials at the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, received a huge entourage headed by the Republic of Sierra Leone Vice President Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh.

The Sierra Leonean Vice President told Dr. Jallah and her Technicians that their visit to the Ministry was met to get firsthand information on how Liberia’s Health System is managed; and henceforth, build future bilateral relations that would enhance the provision of quality health services between the two Mano River Nations.

“Madam Minister, I supposed to be here with my health advisor, but I am sorry she’s on different assignments. Anyway, we have purposely come to get information on hospital management and its decentralization in Liberia’s. Because we have almost met the threshold of the Abuja Declaration, which calls for African Union Countries to allocate at least 15% of annual budget to improve the Health Sector.

“As we approach 2023, our government has allocated much to the health Sector with still little improvements in areas, which need urgent attention,” VP Jalloh told the gathering.

However, disclosing to the Sierra Leonean VP and his entourage, Dr Jallah assessed the country’s health administrative structure from decentralization to its complimentary components that are responsible for the day-to-day affairs of various health facilities’ functions across the Country.

“Mr Vice President, I want to say you are wholeheartedly welcome to visit us at the Ministry of Health. However, our health system is structure in the way that the County Health Officers are trained to manage our hospitals across the nation”, Dr. Jallah in a brief remark.

In the context of overseeing health administrators to provide effective and efficient management of medical centers, managing clinical operations, liaising between the administration and medical staff, and ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of medical care, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh told the visiting guests that the health system is annexed in three tiers of care – primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Placing emphasis on the primary health system, Dr Kateh said this strategy was designed to get community dwellers in the health care delivery system by recruiting them to serve as primary health care providers in their respective communities, giving that almost two-thirds of Liberian households are located outside of facility locations.

“This necessitated a different approach to bridge the gap between available workforce and local health and service delivery needs. Consequently, the decision was made to adopt more informal methods. For example, a corps of Community Health Workers, equipped, trained, well supported, and recognized as a formal cadre within the County Health Teams would link dispersed populations to services and facilities at reasonable cost, and would form the backbone of Liberia’s rural health delivery strategy”, Dr Kateh.

Signed: ________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications, MOH, RL.