PHOTO: LNL Health Center catering for three settlements
By Edwin Fayia, edwinfayia@gmail.com
A Liberian Nongovernmental Organization, Lifeline Network Liberia (LNL) has since 2007 unfolded four-part holistic empowerment programs for Liberians in the rural Montserrado County settlements of Dixville, Johnsonville and Barnerville outside Monrovia.
In an exclusive interview with www.newspublictrust.com last weekend, the founder and Executive Director of LNL, Rev. Tage F. Swallie intimated that programs include, Lifeline Medical Services Liberia, Lifeline Training Institute, Early Learning Childhood Education and Lifeline Computer Literacy Program.
Rev. Swallie pointed out that the medical services program has had some significant impacts on the inhabitants of Dixville, Johnsonville and Barnerville in terms of maternal healthcare (child birth deliveries attendance of pregnant mothers) and malaria treatments.
Asked who provided the initial funds for the construction of the clinic in Liberia, Director Swallie intimated that after a successful trip Britain few years and held discussions with a British group Lifeline Network International United Kingdom, a grant of USD$10,000 was donated for the project.
“We are indeed grateful and would ever remain appreciative to the British charity for planting fertile seed that continues to germinate with so many useful branches that are making great and splendid impacts in the socioeconomic and educational spheres of Liberians in those isolated, deprived and hard to reach areas of our country,” director Swallie emphasized.
Being backed by his professional midwife and dedicated wife Mrs. Ruth S. Swallie, Rev.Swallie said the clinic was constructed and had been catering to more than 800 outpatients every year in the Kpan Town Community in Montserrado County.
Asked who foot the wage bill of staff, director Swallie indicated that funds generated from the fees of patients and other vital medical services are apportion for the small salaries and the general operations of the clinic.
The medical facility has in its employ two physician assistants, a professional midwife with 31 years of experience and practice in and out of the country, he added.
Rev. Swallie and his LNL staff
Director Swallie disclosed that the rest of the staff of Nurse Assistants that continue to buttress the efforts of the main medical staff working at the Lifeline Network Liberia Medical Services in Kpan Town outside of Monrovia.
Shedding light on medical training been provided by LNL, the head of the Lifeline Network Liberia stated that the trainees upon completion of course study, they given certificate of achievement and encouraged to pursue further studies in order to equip themselves professionally.
On long term goal of the clinic, director Swallie disclosed that as the medical work grows and expands, their dream is to operate the medical facility to a full medical center.
Immediate chllenges
On what the immediate challenges are, director Swallie revealed that the Lifeline Medical Services would appreciate the assignment of a medical doctor and a vibrant laboratory equipment as the medical facility is now faced with huge patients load.
He pointed out that the Lifeline Medical Services Liberia is the health and medical arm of the Lifeline Network Liberia, a faith based Community Development and Empowerment Organization legally incorporated in Liberia.
The LNL boss also explained that Lifeline Medical Services Liberia is a self-supported initiative and funded through the operation of its medical clinic.
Rev. Tage Swallie, a product of the Baptist Theological Seminary added that the institution is seeking partnership and funding opportunities for the present and future operations of the medical services in Liberia and West Africa.
Director Swallie recalled that in 2010, his wife Ruth S. Swallie was invited to England where she shared her medical experience in the United Kingdom Parliament with the distinguished parliamentarians and the Lifeline Conference participants.
Mrs. Swallie at the time underscored the need for coordinated efforts and partnership to improve the maternal and child healthcare in the sub Saharan region and the world.
Early childhood education
On the early childhood education, director Swallie explained that arm of the LNL is operating a kindergarten session up grade three and there are plans to upgrade the numerical strength to six grades in the years to come.
He also that the clinic has been able to employ 13 professional Liberian medical personnel and runs a 24hour operation where ambulance services are more or less non-existent as patients especially pregnant women are on many occasions brought to the medical facility in wheelbarrows and other life threatening mobiles.
Director Swallie however noted that the past and present Liberian governments have continued to provide essential malaria drugs to the clinic and such medical assistance has in many ways helped the medical institution to cater Liberians and foreign residents in that part of rural Liberia.
The LNL boss further intimated that over the years, Liberians have harboured the notions that private sector projects are been manned and managed by rich Liberians.
Orphans being catered for
As part of the health services to Liberians and foreign residents, the entity is currently catering to (13) thirteen orphans, who were found and identified by LNL staff and are being assisted in the areas of education, food and medical.
The Lifeline Network Liberia official sounded urgent appeal to all Liberian and international entities to extend their financial and material assistance toward the renovation of main clinic building at the moment in a bad state.
“My institution is in urgent and dire need of 13 bundles of zinc and steel rods toward the renovation of our clinic that its roof has lived out its usefulness,” Director Swallie pleaded.
The head of this Liberian NGO has meanwhile urged Liberians at home and abroad to consider as critical investing in the development, growth and progress of the country with all their professional skills, talents resources and educational expertise.