By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Power blackout at night plunge the major maternity referral Hospital in Bong County’s capital, C.B. Dumbar in darkness on a regular basis.
For several days last week, the hospital was in darkness to the amazement of people visiting Gbarnga, something that has left Nurses, Doctors and other health workers at this facility very frustrated as the ongoing economic situation bites harder.
However, donation of assorted medical supplies recently gave the administration and staff of both CB Dunbar and Phebe hospital, the only referral in Central Liberia all reasons to celebrate and continue providing professional medical services despite the economy challenges in the country.
The Phebe and C. B Dumbar maternity Hospitals received a consignment of medical supplies from the National Women Initiative (NWI) Saturday November 1, 2019 value little over one hundred and fifty thousand Liberian dollars.
The supplies included Examination gloves, Ringer lactate, IV Tubing or giving set, Syringes and baby clothes amongst others.
The medical supplies were presented in the County to both Hospitals through their administration by NWI Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Marvelene Sodone.
Madam Sodone added “the medical supplies here today is just one of the many services we have committed ourselves to the people of Liberia as a way of giving back to our communities.
During the presentations at the two health centers, madam Sodone said the donation of the medical supplies is meant to be used by health workers to treat patients that visit the both facilities.
“This is not the end, we will continue to provide support to these different health sector in Bong through routine provision of medical equipment to Hospitals and clinics,” Madam Sodone added.
“We have come to leave these supplies with your facilities 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 the common people,” Madam Sodone stated.
Taking delivery of the medical consignments, the Bong County Health Team Administrator, Jonah N. Togbag, the Chief of Medical Staff of the Phebe hospital, Dr. Aaron Hallie Keita, the Administrator, Thomas F. Kpelewah, thanked the organizationfor the supplies and promised to use the materials to cater to patients visiting the facility.
They added “We will use these materials to the best of our ability in serving our people”.
The three health workers underlined the numerous challenges faced by their institutions to include the lack of essential drugs, as well as equipment, among others.
Dr. Keita, Administrator Togbah and Administrator Kpelewah used the occasion to call on well-meaning citizens in and out of Liberia to see the need to assist the two biggest health facilities in the county, noting that the institutions cannot survive without the support of citizens.
“Sometimes, you need to test people to know which blood they need before infusing new blood; but they die because we don’t have the necessary equipment here to do such test. We’re no longer able to work under such condition,” they added.
Many in Bong County feel very uncomfortable to be treated at the Phebe Hospital due to poor services, because of the lack of drugs and laboratory facilities.
Despite being established by the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches, the actual status of the hospital has become a conflicting issue in recent times, especially with the involvement of government. The Churches seem not to be supporting the hospital any more for years now.