By Alex Yomah
The Chief Medical Officer at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Sia-Wata Camanor, has described the newly dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Trauma Unit as Liberia’s first equipped post war health center.
She said there is no need for Liberians who are sick to flee abroad for medication, noting that JFK now has a well-equipped ICU and trauma unit that can handle any illnesses in Liberia.
She made the disclosure yesterday at program marking the official dedication and turnover of the newly renovated and expansion of the ICU and Trauma Unit that was expanded and refurbished by the Liberia National Oil Company (NOCAL) as its corporate social responsibility.
In remarks, President George Manneh Weah paid homage to the management of NOCAL and the partners for the job well done in the health sector.
Giving the background on how the facility was reconditioned, the Chief Executive explained, “Since the beginning of my administration, many of you in the health care profession will be aware that I have been very concerned about the lack of properly-equipped ICU’s and Trauma Units in Liberia, and that I have been relentless in my determination to bring such modern, state-of-the-art facilities to various hospitals in Liberia,.”
He added; “The upgrading and expansion of these facilities at the JFK Memorial Medical Center is particularly significant, because this hospital is not only the national referral hospital, but it is the main teaching hospital in Liberia.”
The JFK was founded in 1971 and for over five decades it has played an unparalleled role in healthcare and in training Liberia’s health workforce yet, according to the Liberian leader, despite its long years of existence and the important contributions, it has made as the main pillar of the Liberian health-care ecosystem, the hospital is faced with difficulties due to challenges with funding and budgetary constraints.
“And that is why we have led the initiative to reach out to our international partners and the private sector to lend their support to this venerable institution, such that it will be enabled to fulfill its important role of education, training, and leadership of our health sector. To their credit, many of them have responded generously for which we are grateful. Today, we are here to recognize and appreciate the positive response to my appeal from two companies in the private sector,” he indicated.
Weah disclosed further that NOCAL and TGS-Nopec, combined their resources in fulfillment of their Corporate Social Responsibilities, to improve, upgrade, expand, and equip these facilities, noting that they should and must be commended.
“NOCAL has always been a major contributor to all areas that seek to develop the lives of our people, and therefore this investment into the health sector through this JFK Project comes as no surprise. The people of Liberia are indeed grateful for this gesture,” the Liberian leader stated.
He explained that this NOCAL-TGS partnership in upgrading the Intensive Care and Trauma Unit of JFK Hospital will bring a huge boost to the country’s health-care delivery drive in Liberia noting, “This initiative will bring our people closer to the kind of health-care they deserve.”
“I am informed that the project was done in two phases; phase one included the renovation, expansion and remodeling of the ICU & Trauma Units over a six-month period; while phase two included the supply of medical materials and equipment. I have now learned that there is to be a phase three, whereby NOCAL will sponsor ICU and Trauma personnel abroad for advance training to enable them operate these equipment effectively and efficiently.
“I am further informed that this project will provide professional life-saving health services, on an equal-access basis, to over 1.8 million inhabitants of Monrovia and its environs, as well as residents in the 15 counties of Liberia who, based on referral and need, will require advance emergency care,” he said.
The Liberian leader expressed gratitude especially to NOCAL’s president and Chair of NOCAL’s Board, Saifuah Mai Gray, for transforming NOCAL which the President said suffered bankruptcy and today admitting that her leadership has revived the sector.
“I am very proud of you. You have dispelled the notion that young people are not experienced and cannot deliver. The NOCAL that we know; you met it bankrupt and in a huge financial deficit. You went there, stabilized it and now you have brought this very impressive project to a successful completion. I therefore urge all young professionals who are put in positions of responsibility, to emulate her great leadership,” he applauded Madam Gray.