TAPPITA, Nimba – This past weekend, the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita celebrated its seven years of existence.

The anniversary was marked by a variety of activities, including a red carpet night where several hospital staff were honored for their service.

Over 25 medical and non-medical staff received a mix of cash and in-kind awards. During the ceremony, the acting administrator of the hospital, James A. Sobboh, highlighted the need for the government to increase the subsidy provided to the hospital through the national budget. He said if this is done, it would enable the hospital to incorporate other needed services that will elevate its status.

“If our budget is increased, we will be able to have the ear surgeons, noise surgeon, brain surgeons, and those equipment that are needed to maintain and upgrade the status of the hospital,” Sobboh said.

Local and national officials attended the ceremony, including representatives from the Nimba County Health Team, the Liberia Telecommunication Authority, and other medical professionals.

The district’s newly elected representative, Dorwon Gleekia, was also at the event, where he gave a brief remark promising to lobby with his colleagues to increase the hospital’s budget and ensure regular maintenance of the road from Ganta to Tappita.

“This road poses serious challenge to the smooth operation of the hospital, especially in getting patients to the hospital on time during emergency cases,” Gleekia said. “We are going to talk with the Ministry of Public Works and our colleagues from Grand Gedeh to see how we can all work together to have this road maintained all the time.”

The hospital not only serves Liberians; it also accommodates some patients from neighboring Guinea and Ivory Coast.

Jerry Myers of Radio Tappita contributed to this report. Featured photo by Arrington Ballah