GANTA, Nimba – Nimba’s Representative Jeremiah Kpan Koung of district one donated an ambulance to the Ganta United Methodist Hospital on Oct. 22.

Making the presentation during a brief ceremony held at the hospital’s compound, Koung said the ambulance is meant to augment the efforts of the hospital.

The representative presented the keys of the Ford 350E vehicle to the Associate Administrator of the hospital, Nora Keah-Sandi, and recounted the enormous role the hospital has played in catering to the health needs of the region.

“The hospital needs this ambulance,” Koung said. “This hospital serves as far as N’zerekore, Guinea, parts of Bong County, Saclepea, Gbelay-Geh region, and even people from the Ivory Coast.”

Koung also challenged the hospital administration to use the ambulance for the intended purpose and promptly respond to the call of patients. As an example, he pointed out that commercial motorcyclists are frequently involved in accidents, and he hoped to now see the hospital responding to them more quickly.

Keah-Sandi, speaking on behalf of the administration, said the donation was a timely intervention that would bring relief to the day-to-day operations of the hospital. She said she was receiving the keys on behalf of the Chief Administrator of the hospital, Patrick Mantor.

Donated ambulance and hospital staff. Photo: Chester Dolo

“I would like to say that our hearts are overwhelmed this morning by Honorable Koung’s donation of this ambulance,” Keah-Sandi said. “This will enable us to respond to patients quickly – especially our pregnant women. We are not able to get to our patients each time they call, due to the lack of ambulance.”

Koung had previously donated two ambulances to the Government of Liberia during the Ebola crisis on a temporary basis. The ambulance donation to the Ganta Hospital is meant to be permanent.

Featured photo by Chester Dolo