By Solomon T Gaye
Tension is reportedly brewing among patients and administrations working at Ganta Rehab, TB & Leprosy Center as the administration throws out several of its patients who were being treated at that government facility in Nimba.
Patient John Kpiah who hails from Bong County said he was diagnosed of TB and had been living at the Rehab for the past six months, but revealed that the administration has ordered every patients in the facility to leave on ground that the donors have stopped its overseas support.
According to many of the patients, over 25 patients that are undergoing treatment for Burundi ulcer, TB and Leprosy couple with other critical skin diseases have been order to leave in 72 hours.
“Many of us here are from far places and we all came here for treatment but the action of the administration is worrisome because we don’t know anybody here to live with or give us food,” the patients lamented.
David Myers said he was diagnosed with Burundi ulcer and arrived at the center under critical condition and though he has been living at the center for less than six months, but is now worried that the OIC through the administrator has order all patients to leave.
“The OIC, though the administrator Bendu Benjiman order us to leave on grounds that donors don’t have money to feed the patients every day, buy drugs and pay workers,” patient Myers revealed .
Ganta Rehab TB & Leprosy Center is a government referral health center that is catering to people suffering from TB, the deadly Burundi ulcer and leprosy as well as related skin disorder or diseases.
The center is sponsored by the Germany Leprosy & TB Relief Association and the National Catholic Health Council with oversight responsibility by the Ministry of health.
Since 2023-2024, the center has been rocked with reports of corruption allegations ranging from the selling of the drugs to diverting of donors funds to private use, among other things in the county.
This is the second allegations coming out at the Ganta Rehab TB & Leprosy Center in less than eight months.
During the beginning of August 2023, patients seeking treatment at the center set road blocks on the Ganta-Sanniquellie highway in demands of drugs and treatment.
When this paper contacted the OIC, he refused to speak and refer the paper to Benjamin, the administrator and when the administrator was contacted, she confirmed throwing out of some of the patients but clarified that those released are not those suffering TB, Burundi ulcer and leprosy.
According to administrator Bendu, the Germany Leprosy Relief Association has cut down its support and that funding is only coming from the Government of Liberia.
“The center is catering to over 300 TB patients along with Burundi ulcer and leprosy from across Liberia and neighboring Guinea,” she disclosed.
