BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa– ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) in partnership with PROJECT CURE has donated a huge consignment of essential medical drugs and supplies to the Grand Bassa County Health team for use by the Buchanan Government Hospital, and the Barsigiah Town Clinic, an AML press release said at the weekend.
The 40ft shipping container of supplies contained a list of more than 200 items, including, beddings and modern medical equipment and materials vital for the operation of medical facilities in the county.
AML Head of Sustainability and External Relations, Marcus Wleh presented the consignment on behalf of the CEO, Michiel Vandermerwe in Buchanan on Friday.
Mr. Wleh underscored that the effort was part of AML’s many initiatives to support healthcare service delivery in its operating counties, and the continued partnerships with the government in addressing the general healthcare needs of Liberians.
“On behalf of ArcelorMittal, I like to present this 40ft container of medical supplies, which include everything, from beddings to surgical gloves, equipment, and a whole long list of over 200 different items. We love our hospital, and we trust that you will utilize these items to improve the quality of health services here. Thank you, so much,” he said.
Mr. Wleh added that the donation represents a further demonstration of the company’s partnership with the government and noted that it will not be the end.
“We are not doing it for you, we are doing it with you. That’s why Dr. Williams said we sat with you. You said I want this. In the past people will say take this one, but you decided what you wanted. So, there will be more things happening.”
The ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations however recognized that the continuous disruptions of the business, especially the vandalization of the company’s assets by people with grievances that choose to disregard established grievance management procedures, in seeking redress, also affects the level of support to the communities.
“So, the time we will take when people get angry and damage the railroad, the money we will take to go and fix the railroad is money we should be spending on our community development efforts. So, we want to urge all Liberians, whatever grievance you have against anybody associated with ArcelorMittal, it is your company. Be constructive. The more constructive we are it’s the more time we will have to live in peace and protect the investment. The railroad is Liberia’s asset. It does not belong to ArcelorMittal. We are only managing it.”
Receiving the donation, Dr. Eric G. Gbanlon, Medical Director of the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan thanked AML for the donation, terming it as a timely intervention.
“I assure you that every item here will be used for the intended purpose,” Dr. Gbanlon said.
For his part, Grand Bassa District #3 Representative, Hon. Matthew Joe also praised AML and its partner for the donation, noting that these are interventions the people of Bassa wish to see, from the company. “I know that our people will be very happy when they get this news,” he said.
PROJECT CURE is an international organization dedicated to delivering healthcare needs through partnerships with institutions and communities across the world.
Its partnership with AML stems from an engagement by the company in early 2023 on how its communities could benefit from the medical initiative.
Other facilities expected to also benefit from similar donation are the Sanniquellie Hospital, and the Lugbeyee and Camp4 Health Centers, in Nimba, among others.
AML is a lead private sector partner in supporting healthcare delivery in Liberia, operating two hospitals in Buchanan and Yekepa, with several community health initiatives. The company is also supporting the government of Liberia in the construction of two public hospitals in Grand Bassa and Nimba.
ArcelorMittal also has a long history of supporting healthcare in Liberia including its partnership with the government in combatting the 2014 virus disease outbreak and the recent COVID-19 outbreak.