SINJE TOWN, July 19 (LINA) – Grand Cape Mount County has got a new County Health Officer (CHO), Dr. Cecelia Woods Cheneyon, who replaces outgoing Dr. Netty Joe as part of the Ministry of Health routine rotation of medical staff.
Speaking at the handover ceremony recently, Dr. Cheneyon lauded the Ministry of Health for the assignment, assuring that she will do her best and not let the Ministry and Liberian people down in the performance of her duty.
The new CHO said she is counting on the Ministry of Health and the local leadership of Grand Cape Mount County for their full support.
Dr. Cheneyon said she did not come to undo what was done by her predecessor, and assured the staff of the Country Health Team that she will work with them to ensure the success of the Grand Cape Mount County Health Team.
In remarks at the ceremony, the Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Francis Kateh, cautioned County Health Officers across the country not to see their offices as the only work place.
Dr. Kateh said CHOs nationwide should go in the field to see for themselves some of the challenges officers-in-charge (OICs) of health facilities undergo in their supervision of the centers they are assigned to manage.
According to the Chief Medical Officer, if CHOs understand what their subordinates are going through they will understand why some of the reports are not coming in time and then find solution to the problems.
« These visits are not intended to penalize people but to learn and make some amends if the need arises, » Dr. Kateh told the CHOs.
« If you cannot make changes talk to the staff and when there exists an opportunity you maximize it, » he added.
Prior to his statement, the outgoing Grand Cape Mount County Health Officer, Dr. Netty Joe, thanked the Ministry of Health for affording her the opportunity to serve the people of Grand Cape Mount County.
Dr. Joe, who said she would dearly miss Grand Cape Mount County and its people, commended the staff of the County Health Team, local leadership, as well as the Grand Cape Mount County COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Team for their support during her 10-month service in the county as CHO.
The outgoing CHO cited the ongoing construction of the headquarters of the Grand Cape Mount County Health Team, securing of one vehicle and eight motorcycles, as some of her achievements during her ten-month service in the county.
Dr. Joe admonished her successor to work collaboratively with the current staff, adding that they are young and energetic, and have qualities that could help her to succeed.
She, however, cautioned the newly-assigned CHO to listen more and be slow to act.
Also making remarks, the Superintendent of Grand Cape Mount County, Aaron B. Vincent, thanked the outgoing CHO for the services she rendered the county during her assignment at the helm of the County Health Team.
He said as a CHO, who oversaw Grand Cape Mount County attaining third place among the best health delivery services last year, she will be missed by the county.
He, however, indicated that as a public servant himself, he is aware of how things work, adding, « We are subject to change at any time by our bosses. »
Superintendent Vincent also welcomed the newly-assigned CHO, assuring her that the county leadership is looking forward to a smooth working relationship with her.
The former Grand Cape Mount County Health Officer, Dr. Netty Joe has been reassigned as CHO of Nimba County.
