President George M. Weah has disclosed plans by his government for the construction of additional health facilities in other parts of the country.
He said his government is currently finalizing talks with friends in the United Arab Emirates for the additional health structures, and said, “The goal is to ensure access and affordability, as we exert more effort to improve quality healthcare.”
“As we strive to improve the health sector by training healthcare workers both at home and abroad, and by providing free medical education in public health training institutions, my Government is committed to creating access to health infrastructures by constructing more health facilities in under-served communities,” he said.
President Weah made the assertion yesterday, December 28, 2022 when he officially dedicated the newly constructed state-of-the-art Emirates Hospital in Bopulu City, Gbarpolu County.
The modern, state-of-the-art medical facility covers more than 52,000 square feet, and is almost entirely powered by solar energy. It further contains a 100-bed capacity for inpatients with several operating theatres.
The hospital also has a modern laboratory, an intensive care unit (ICU), various specialized departments and many more facilities that set it apart from other hospitals in the country.
Additionally, the dedication of the hospital now brings to a total of three entirely new hospitals that have been built and opened under the CDC led-administration, namely the Gbandeya Hospital in Rivercess; the 14 Military Hospital situated in Margibi; and now Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu County.
According to the Liberian leader, the inauguration of the Emirates Hospital is also a further manifestation of his Government’s commitment to improving the quality of health services in Liberia by expanding health coverage to the rural population.
He maintained, “Improving healthcare delivery has always been foundational to the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. This is why there have been consistent increases and add-ons to the operational budgets for already-existing hospitals, in order to provide the equipment and trained staff required for the delivery of critically-needed services.”
The Liberian leader further indicated that the construction and commissioning of the Emirates Hospital will not only help the people of Gbarpolu to have access to quality health care, but will enable the surrounding counties like Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Bong, as well as some parts of Lower Lofa County.
He added that the hospital may also encourage some citizens of Sierra Leone, who are close to the Liberian border in Kongba District, to seek medical care especially so that Gbarpolu hosts other foreign nationals who are involved in the gold and diamond industries and will also be able to seek medical care.
The Liberian Chief Executive recounted that the project’s selection, groundbreaking and construction of the facility can all be traced back to a decision he took years ago when during his soccer career decided to leave Europe and play for a relatively unknown team in the UAE, called AL JAZEERA.
“That move, you must know, was one based on the budding friendship I shared at the time with the then Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who this year became President of the United Arab Emirates,” President Weah explained.
“It was also based on the love that was shown to me by the Emirati citizens on the pitch. Leaving Europe at a time when my services were still being sought by many of the world’s top clubs was no small feat,” he stated further.
“But sometimes in life, it is important to put people and friendship above material gains. I am glad that I did that at that time, and I am also glad to see that that act of friendship is today yielding dividends for my country,” President Weah added.
He then thanked the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the support towards the facility as well as his government officials for the actualization of the hospital.
