BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – The committee set up to raise funds for the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan has made additional contributions to the hospital.

With support from the county authority, the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, and residents of the county, the Save the Liberian Government Hospital committee successfully raised L$2,500,000 (US$13,298), which it presented to the hospital administration over the weekend in Buchanan.

This is the second time the group has presented such a large sum to the hospital. On October 16, 2019, the group provided over US$3,800 to the hospital.

According to the chair of the committee, Martha Karnga, the presentation is expected to cover support for fuel and essential drugs. Between Oct. 16 to Nov. 26 this year, the committee received L$399,500 (US$2,125) and US$1,760 as a contribution from the citizens, with an account balance to date reflecting LD$2,776,855 (US$14,770) and US$2,362.

A total of LD$2,765,800 and US$2,050 were also received in pledges.

According to Karnga, the committee received a budget of US$12,131.60 to help fund the cost of fuel, two generators, an ambulance, drugs, medical supplies, patient food and nutrition, cleaning materials, and stationery. The goal has been to swiftly respond to emergency challenges currently facing the hospital’s administration and to ensure the hospital’s doors remain open to providing basic health services.

Speaking at an event to present the funds raised, Karnga said, “In this light, the committee is pleased to present an amount of L$1,000,000 for fuel to a local vendor called Express Filling Station owned by Chris Menenesah at the God Bless You Hill in Buchanan to supply the hospital.”

A further L$1,500,000 has been made available to the G2 Pharmacy, located in Monrovia, to supply the hospital with essential drugs.

Besides these initial donations, the committee is also planning a mass citizens’ meeting to consider more long-term solutions to the situation at the hospital. It is hoped that a resolution would be signed at the meeting authorizing the committee to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Health to implement a sliding fee system at the hospital, in order to raise needed funds.

“We are cognizant that [the] free service offered at the hospital is a national policy, but with these challenging times in our country, we want to categorically state that the hospital cannot run under this condition and you expect it to survive,” Karnga explained the move.

On hand to receive the committee’s checks was the county’s assistant superintendent for fiscal affairs, Daniel Willie.

Willie thanked members of the committee for the donation. He also thanked the citizens for their willingness to support the hospital. He closed his remarks with a call to all Grand Bassa citizens in Liberia and abroad to support the hospital.

Receiving the checks on behalf of the hospital, its administrator, Fatorma Jusu, thanked the people Grand Bassa for their continuous support to the hospital.

“It is actually the responsibility of [the] government, but we all know that the government is challenged financially, so the people of Bassa agreed to help, as they are doing now,” Jusu said. “We are very proud of the people of Grand Bassa for their contribution towards this hospital and we hope it will continue so as to provide quality health services to the public.”

Grand Bassa’s county health officer, Dr. Anthony Tucker, also thanked the citizens for their support towards the hospital.

“Owing to the financial constraint that we now have in this country and the government not being able to shoulder the entire cost, a lot of health facilities across Liberia have been struggling, including the Liberian Government Hospital,” he said.

The continuous support from citizens has made the reopening of the hospital possible. But this is only a temporary measure. If the hospital is to resume normal operations, a more long-term solution involving central government and county authorities must be found.

Featured photo by Sampson David