PAYNESBERRY, Grand Bassa – Grand Bassa Community College has held its third commencement convocation, during which the valedictorian has called on the government to prioritize the health system.

Millie K. Youyoubon, a 63-year-old woman who graduated with an associate degree in nursing from the Health Sciences Department of the college, said Liberia’s health system needs serious attention from the government and its partners.

She called on President George Weah to prioritize health delivery service in Liberia.

‘’Mr. President, we know that you have so many developments in your heart to make in Liberia, but we are begging you to make health number [one] priority on your agenda because if you are sick, you can’t carry on development. And if these clinics and hospital are not up to standard, you cannot achieve your dream,” Youyoubon said.

The valedictorian called on the president to elevate and equip all hospitals, clinics, and colleges across the country, adding that there are qualified doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians who want to render their professional services but due to the lack of equipment and medical supplies, they are unable to function correctly.

“To us, nurses graduating today, let us season our words with salt because our contributions to the world will not be measured by the money we make or by the awards we receive but rather by the way we share our unique gift with the world,” she told the graduating class.

She added that her desire to pursue a college degree at the age of 58 in 2013 was to motivate both young and old people to make use of the community colleges across the country.

“When you are a senior citizen like me in this audience, do not allow your age to threaten you, challenge your age if your health can permit you,” Youyoubon said.

The community college held its graduation on its main campus in Paynesberry, outside Buchanan. The institution was established in 2008 to allow Grand Bassa residents to acquire college degrees without having to incur the expenses required for schooling in Monrovia.

The college graduated 285 students in several disciplines, including business, technical and vocational training, agriculture, information technology, theology, religious education, and nursing. The Health Sciences Department of the college produced 81 graduates.

Youyoubon’s call for the government to prioritize the health sector has been supported overwhelmingly by residents of Grand Bassa, who concluded that the health sector needed focus.

Elijah Browne, a resident of the county, said several government hospitals and clinics across the country operate without having the necessary drugs and often send patients to pharmacies outside to obtain drugs needed for their treatment.

Another resident, Markonjay Thomas, said she strongly believes that if Weah pays more attention to the health sector, he will save the government from spending money on having government officials receive treatment out of the country.

“Government will also raise money instead of spending money outside,” she added.

Feature photo by Sampson David