By Patrick N. Tokpah
(Bong contributor)
Residents of Gbansuslomah Town and other nearby communities in Zota District, Bong County are living in fear due to the closure of the only clinic in the area.
Gbansuslomah is a town situated in the district 4 with several inhabitants and since the opening of the clinic some years ago, nurses assigned to that health facility has complained about the lack of workers, drugs, and other equipment.
Despite the many cries for the shortage of workers or nurses at the Gbansuslomah Clinic, the Bong County Health Team and the Ministry of Heath are yet to intervene.
However, the lone health worker who was assigned to the facility lately closed the health center and left the town for an unknown destination.
The situation has placed residents of the town in total fear, as many of them are calling on the Ministry of Health to intervene quickly.
Speaking in an interview with the Inquirer Newspaper in the District on April 30, 2023, the Town Chief of Gbansuslomah Town, Isaiah Cooper said, they might go back to their old days by only depending on herbs to treat illnesses.
According to him, he is mostly concerned about pregnant women and children who are dwelling in that part of the country and do not have access to health care.
Mr. Cooper said since the opening of the clinic in the area, the clinic has had three healthcare workers that have been catering to the health needs of its inhabitants as well as several nearby towns and villages.
He said one of the workers died recently while another one is currently ill; maintaining that due to the condition at the entity, the only healthcare worker assigned at the clinic has been severely overburdened based upon the inflow of patients at the facility which has caused her to abandon the work.
The lonely health work only identifies as Ma Ellen has left the Gbarnsuslomah Clinic in Zota District because of the situation.
According to Isaiah Cooper, the Gbansuslomah Clinic has been closed for two weeks now since the assigned worker left the facility in disappointment of being the only health worker at the clinic.
He noted that due to the shortage of workers at the facility, citizens of the Gbansuslomah are paying huge transportation in getting to Gbalatuah and Belefanah Clinics in the District to seek further medication; a condition he feels needs the attention of the county health authorities in providing the needed health workers assignment for the betterment of the health care delivery system in Liberia.
The Town Chief of Gbansuslomah told this paper that the Gbansuslomah clinic has over the past been the only health center catering to more than two thousand residents in the area.
He further told our correspondent that traditional midwives have reorganized themselves to start helping pregnant women.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Bong County Health Team Officer, Dr. Cynthia Blapooh proof fruitless, despite contacting her through text messages and phone calls.
However, investigation continues!
