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Health Workers Strike Action Leads To Patient’s Death In River Gee, Liberia

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PHOTO: Young patient died because she could not get care, as relatives carried her around hopelessly

A sad report emanating from Fish Town, in Liberia’s southeastern River Gee county says a 10-year-old girl identified as Nelly Freeman has died in the wake of a strike action staged by aggrieved health workers in the areas, as Garmah Never Lomo reports.

The girl’s death occurred at the weekend (Friday, June 10-2022) as a direct result of a continued strike action by the aggrieved Health workers across River Gee, the report said.

Health worker claim authorities have failed to settle with their arrears, and the government refusal to put some professional health workers on government payroll, after serving as volunteers for several years.

According to reports, the deceased was initially taken to the Sarbo health center, about 20Km away from Fish Town but was unable to be treated due to the stayed home actions of the health workers.

The deceased Nelly Freeman was immediately rushed to the Fish Town Referral hospital by her relatives but she was again rejected upon their arrival at the facility by the health workers, who were already on their Go- slow Actions;

While on their way home, the deceased gave up her ghost around the General market of Fish Town, barely after being denied treatment at the fish town Referral hospital.

The situation has caused fear amongst the residents across the county.

For his part, the head of Civil society organizations in River Gee County, Abu Diallo is calling on the government of President Weah to immediately intervene to address the grievances of the health workers across the county in order to avoid another critical incident.

Mr. Diallo, used this medium to extend sympathy to the bereaved family for the lost of their daughter.

Also speaking on the sad incident, River Gee County Superintendent, Philip Q. Nyanuh, expressed words of regret over the death of the 10- years girl.

Superintendent Nyanuh, used the media to called on the health workers to return to work as government of Liberia, is doing everything possible to address their concerns.

For his part, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer(CMO) Dr. Francis S. Ketteh in an exclusive interview told this news outlet that not because of money health workers should shut down a clinic or health facilities and they have negotiating with healthcare workers for the past three weeks.

According to Dr. Ketteh the government has made an increment in healthcare workers’ salaries but what the health workers are currently demanding for is not available.

Liberia Chief Medical Officer further added that for so long, many patients have died during healthcare workers strike action but this time, healthcare workers will be held responsible for the death of any patients adding that this is not time to play with people lives.

“Always ask for the salary in the profession before joining it he narrated “.

He said he has instructed the County Health Officer of River Gee County, Dr. Trokon Washington to investigate what led to the death of the 10-year-old girl, and that if it was due to the negligence of healthcare workers, they will surely bear the responsibility.

 

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