MONROVIA, May 26 (LINA) – First Lady Clar Marie Weah says the country’s health sector is poised to experience continuing development in infrastructure and service delivery as a result of the importance President George Mannah Weah attaches to the health of the Liberian people.
“As President Weah constantly reminds us all, a healthy nation makes for healthy people, so the thrust of the Health care Pillar of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development must see the rapid development of health facilities across the country with access to quality care and service delivery for our population,” Mrs. Weah asserted.
The Liberian First Lady was speaking Wednesday, May 25, at the Redemption Hospital when she officially dedicated and opened to the public, the newly-refurbished and rebranded adult emergency room, which was named in her honor.
A release from the Office of the First Lady said the modernization of the adult emergency room, a crucial section of the hospital, couple with the fact that medical services at Redemption Hospital are free, marked yet another significant stride by the Liberian government to adequately cater to the health needs of its people.
“Indeed great things are happening in Liberia with New Kru Town being no exception and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Mrs. Weah, as she praised the leadership of Redemption Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Williametta S. William- Gibson for undertaking such a wonderful initiative.
Mrs. Weah also extended heartfelt gratitude to health workers across the country, noting that: “Our nation continues to make firmer strides in the healthcare delivery area because of your dedication and commitment, and for that I am grateful.”
Meanwhile, the First Lady described the naming of the adult emergency room in her honor as “a great honor” bestowed upon her and her family.
Mrs. Weah stressed that such recognition would motivate her to continue to dedicate her time and efforts toward the improvement of the lives of the people of Liberia, especially the underprivileged.
“I commit to you today, that your kindness will cement our relationship that will see me do the best that I can, working even harder to change our nation by changing the lives of our people one day at a time.”
Speaking earlier, Redemption Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Williametta S. William-Gibson disclosed that rebranding the refurbished facility as the Clar Marie Weah Adult Emergency Room was intended to appreciate the First Lady’s numerous humanitarian initiatives for health and other sectors of the society.
Dr. Gibson said their decision was also aimed at recognizing the importance of women’s leadership, given that the First Lady is the epitome of motherhood and women’s leadership in Liberia.
At least 75 percent of the positions in the hospital’s administration are occupied by females.
Commenting on the rationale behind the transformation of the emergency room, Dr. Gibson said the deplorable state of the facility upon taking over as medical director prompted the initiative.
According to her, though budgetary allocations to the hospital were low, she and her team were determined to give the facility a facelift not only for the patients but also for the health workers.
Redemption Hospital’s Medical Director thanked the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the World Bank, through its performance-based program for supporting the refurbishment of the Clar Marie Weah Adult Emergency Room.
The Clar Marie Weah Emergency Room is a 14-bed capacity room with essential medical equipment, including ultrasound, patient monitors, and an EKG.
Also containing a section to treat health workers who may fall sick, the ER is fully air-conditioned.
Gracing the brief dedication and opening ceremony of the Clar Marie Weah Adult Emergency Room were Deputy Information Minister Jarlawa Tonpo, Assistant Health Minister Joyce Sherman, Montserrado County Health Officer, Dr. Yatta Sackie-Wapoe, the Governor of New Kru Town, Moses Doe Weah, and staffers of the hospital, among others.
