By Sylvester W. Korwor, Bong County Correspondent
GBARNGA, Aug. 19 (LINA) – Seventy-one health professionals, including 29 midwives, 23 lab technicians, and one professional nurse, among others, havr1 being urged to transform the knowledge acquired into effective skills to change the health sector and make it better.
Guest speaker at the 95th graduation exercise of the Phebe Para Medical School in Suakoko District, Bong County, a Liberian Professional Nurse, Cecelia Kpangbala Flomo, said in as much as Liberia needs professional health work force, it can only be achieved through skills training.
Madam Flomo added that in order for Liberia to have an improved healthcare delivery system, professionals coming on board must apply what she called, « the right knowledge, skills and administration » respectively.
According to her, vast portion of society requires knowledgeable health workers who have the commitment, accountability and transparency.
« One of the biggest problems we face in the health sector is negative attitude and character by workers, » she pointed out.
The Liberian Professional Nurse, at the same time, admonished the over 70 graduates to encourage their clients, including patients, they will be dealing with to take advantage of health facilities instead of discouraging them, something, she said, that may result to home treatment.
Meanwhile, for his part, Bong County Health Officer Dr. Jonathan Flomo receiving the graduates lauded the school for adding to the manpower of the county’s healthcare system.
Dr. Flomo further noted that Bong County will experience an influx of patients from Margibi County as a result of the recent fire disaster that left Charles Henry Rennie Memorial Hospital burned down to ashes.
He maintained that with the graduation of 71 health professionals in various disciplines, it will help government cater to the health needs of its citizens.
For their part, the graduates, including Nancy T. Borbor, Annie Barbu and George N. Bayoga, promised to apply the skills acquired over the years to improve the health sector of the country.
Phebe Para Medical School in Bong County was the first to graduate students from a medical school 95 years ago and in 2021, it has also become the first institution in the country to have successful online graduation.
Phebe Para Medical School School is a component of Phebe Referral Hospital in Suakoko District, Bong County.
The Executive Director of the school, Mr. Honfrey Loweal is quoted as saying, « This is the final certificate program graduation », adding that, « The next time we have such ceremony, it will be a BSc program ».
