(Monrovia, Liberia, January 3, 2021)—the Ministry of Health (MOH) through its Emergency Management System Division has officially launched a short code for accident victims across the Country to help alleviate many challenges faced by accident victims in Liberia.

Although there is existent emergency contact on the Ministry’s emergency ambulances for people with medical complications but this new short code is exclusively for accident victims

During the launch on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the Ministry in Congo Town, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah encouraged the general public to take advantage of the new code by dialing 5888 on any of the GSM companies in the Country.

Minister Jallah, who is passionate and committed to providing quality health service to the country, told scores of Journalists that there is no cost attached dialing or calling the short code: “You can call any of the GSM companies in Liberia for free of charge—if you don’t have any money on your phone, you still dial it and our team will immediately answer you”.

In terms of capacity (number of ambulances) to rapidly response to accident victims across the country, Dr. Jallah said, though the Ministry is still lobbying for more logistics including ambulances but there are sufficient ambulances across the country to sustain the program.

“We have enough ambulances that could sustain the program in all of the fifteen (15) counties. You can call the code wherever you are in Liberia, because these ambulances are stationed at strategic places to provide you the needed services.”

Dr. Jallah cautioned drivers to avoid drunkenness and speediness while plying roads within the country in order to minimize the rate of accident.

“We want Liberians to be safe, therefore, we want to suggest to you that If you are drunk, do not drive; or if your friend is drinking and you are together don’t encourage he/she to drive.” She added.

For his part, the Director of Emergency Management System Division of MOH, Mark Luke, said introduction of the code is meant to improve the provision of quality emergency services across the country.

“This is part of our responsibility as a Division of the Ministry as mandated by the Minister to improve on the provision of emergency services in the country. Owing to this, we decided to join others through the Road Safety secretariat to source some funding to have this number paid for and other materials that are expected to be here soon,” said Director Mark Luke

Signed: _____________________________________

                  Felecia Gbesioh

                  Director of Communication, MOH