By Moses J. Dawoe
-Maryland (freelance)
The healthcare system in Maryland County received a boost on January 3, 2025, as the Community Initiative Alliance (CIA), a US-based nonprofit organization, donated 15 wheelchairs to support the County Health Team.
The donation, presented during a ceremony in Harper City, was divided between two government-run health facilities.
The J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital received 10 wheelchairs while the Pleebo Health Center received 5.
The initiative is part of CIA’s ongoing efforts to align with the Liberian government’s agenda to improve the nation’s healthcare system.
The Country Director of CIA, Philip Wilson, emphasized the organization’s dedication to humanitarian service.
“Giving back to the community has been our foundation since we began operations in Liberia in late 2021,” Mr. Wilson said, representing both the US-based and Liberian teams.
Among medical professionals who expressed appreciation for the timely intervention was the Medical Director of JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital who noted that this was the second major donation from CIA.
Dr. Charles Jasor recalled that in 2024, the organization provided hospital beds and essential medical equipment, which are still being used for patient care and surgical procedures.
“Every ward in a health facility should ideally have its own wheelchair to ensure efficient patient movement, especially during emergencies,” Dr. Jasor stated. “This donation, though small in number, is vital to our operations.”
The hospital administrator, Julia Natt Doe, extended her gratitude to CIA and its partners, including the Divine Connection Church (DCC), headed by Pastor Steven Wilson, who is also the founder and CEO of CIA.
She acknowledged the organization’s consistent support and its role in strengthening healthcare delivery in Maryland County.
At Pleebo Health Center, Administrator Garrison Sayor described the wheelchairs as a much-needed resource for a facility that serves a population of over 29,500 people.
He noted that the center witnessed an increase in accident cases during the recent holiday season, making the donation timely.
“These wheelchairs will greatly improve how we care for patients,” Mr. Sayor remarked. “They address a long-standing challenge that has hindered our efficiency.”
Also local government officials who lauded the initiative were the Pleebo City Mayor, Larry G. Geekor, who thanked the CIA for helping to lessen some of the critical needs at Pleebo Health Center.
“With the highest population in the southeast, Pleebo City requires adequate resources to ensure its health facilities can meet the community’s needs,” Mayor Geekor said.
He called for continued partnerships to sustain and improve healthcare standards in the region.
The donation from the Community Initiative Alliance underscores the organization’s commitment to empowering Liberia’s healthcare system.
Through its partnerships with DCC and humanitarian donors in the United States, CIA continues to provide vital support to underserved communities in the country.
This act of generosity represents not only a response to immediate needs but also a step toward long-term improvements in healthcare infrastructure in Maryland County and beyond.