GBARNGA, Bong – Several health posts in Bong have received medical supplies from Dennis Garsinii, a U.S.-based Bong citizen.

The supplies included gloves, personal protective equipment, surgical and delivery beds, nose masks, and beddings.

Phebe Hospital, the only referral hospital in central Liberia, and the C. B. Dunbar Maternity Hospital, Belefanai Health Center, Gbonota and Kelebi Clinics were among facilities that received the donation.

Other facilities receiving donations were clinics in Gbartala, Sanoyea, Totota, Kelebei, Gbalatuah, Bletanda, and the Baptist Soul Winning Clinic.

“Shipment and clearance cost me US$11,500 and the total supply [was] invoiced at US$141,000,” Garsanii told The Bush Chicken in a text message from the U.S.

The distribution of the goods was spearheaded by the former director of the Development Education Network Liberia, Dorothy Toomann.

At one of the presentations at the Gbonota facility in Bong’s seventh district, Toomann said Garsinii donated the materials to be used by health workers to treat patients that visit the different facilities.

Over the past few years, she said Garsinii has been instrumental in supporting the health sector in Bong through routine provision of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics.

“We have come to leave these supplies with the facility here for the intended purpose of the local people that you are treating. Though they may be small, we are hoping that they play a unique role in helping you to help our people,” Toomann said.

Filled with appreciation, the officer-in-charge of the clinic, Joe Tonorlah, thanked Garsinii for the supplies and promised to use the materials to cater to patients visiting the facility.

He said he was particularly grateful for the delivery bed, which was one of the “most outstanding needs of the clinic.”

Officer-in-charge of Gbonota Clinic, Joe Tonorlah. Photo: Moses Bailey.

“We will use these materials to the best of our ability in serving our people,” Tonorlah said in remarks he gave after receiving the materials.

Mamie Flomo, a resident of Gbalatuah in Bong’s fourth electoral district and a regular user of the clinic, spoke in Kpelleh following the presentation to note that the donation will enhance the effort of health workers at the facility.

“Many days when we come here, the people working at the clinic complain about material shortage. It is not easy for the health workers here to work and treat us without materials,” Flomo explained.

Like many other citizens, Flomo also thanked Garsinii for his donations of essential medical supplies.

This is not the first donation Garsinii has made; in 2017 and 2018, Garsinii donated separate consignments of medical supplies worth about US$30,000 and US$85,000 respectively.

From the U.S., Garsinii thanked the Development Education Network Liberia, Toomann, and all those who helped in making sure that the materials reached the targeted beneficiaries. DEN-L provided and fueled vehicles to distribute the materials across to the health facilities.

He specifically thanked the deputy speaker of the 54^th Liberian Legislature, Rep. Prince Moye, who Garsinii said shouldered the cost of transporting the materials from Monrovia to Bong.

Featured photo by Moses Bailey