–Fact-Checking the Claims
IPNEWS-Monrovia: During his recent tour Montserrado County, which was the last leg of his nationwide tour that started in February 2021, President George Weah said “my administration has constructed more health infrastructures than any other government and we will do more for the benefit of our people.” The President’s claim was made during his announcement of plans to construct a new JFK hospital in Monrovia.
Minister of State for President Affairs, Nathaniel McGill before the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated him and others on their sanction listing and subsequent suspension by President Weah, said the past (Sirleaf) government took 12 years to build one hospital which is the Jackson F. Doe Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County, but the Weah’s government has taken four and half years to build three hospitals.
The current JFK Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia
Did the now sanctioned and suspended Minister McGill check the facts before he made such utterance or was he just being political, since the President was on the last leg of his nationwide tour?
IPNEWS with courtesy of The Perspective, a US-based online platform brings you a fact-check of President Weah and the sanctioned and suspended McGill’s claims.
Fact Check:
President William VS Tubman Administration
During the administration of President William VS Tubman, the following health facilities were constructed: Grand Bassa Government Hospital in Bassa County (constructed in 1946), Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital in Grand Gedeh (1947), E.S Grant Mental Health Hospital in Montserrado County (1962), F. J. Grant Hospital in Sinoe County (1971) and John F. Kennedy Medical Center (1971).
William Tolbert Administration
Under President William Tolbert’s “Mats to Mattress”, “Rally Time”, and “Total Involvement for Higher Heights,” the Charles Henry Rennie Hospital in Margibi County was constructed (1974) and the majority of the health centers in rural Liberia were constructed. It was under President Tolbert the Liberia Medical Board was established to regulate the practice of medicine.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Administration
During the administration of Madam Ellen Johnson, the following health facilities were constructed: Jackson F. Doe Memorial Hospital in Nimba (2009), CB Dunbar Maternity Hospital in Bong County (2012), Fish Town Referral Hospital (2015), Pleebo Health Center (2016) and The Jallah Lone Health Center in Bopolu was upgraded from a regular clinic, with its expansion and installation of modern health equipment.
President George Weah’s Administration
Under President George Weah’s administration, the 14th military hospital in Margibi County (2021), Rivercess District Referral Hospital in Rivercess Country (2021), and Emirate Hospital in Gbarpolu County (2022).
Conclusion
From the analysis and investigations relating to the claims made by President George Weah and the sanctioned suspended Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, it is clear that these claims are FALSE. Writes S. Karweaye; courtesy of The Perspective
Constructing a New JFK Hospital but New 14 million Redemption Hospital’s Construction Stalls
President Weah’s disclosure that he will construct a new John F. Kennedy Hospital facility within the same fence that houses the current JFK Memorial Hospital has received mixed reactions from the public.
The current Redemption in New Kru Town
According to some Liberians why is President Weah talking about constructing a new JFK hospital, when all that the current JFK needs is massive renovation and the provision of modern state-of-the-art medical equipment, instead of wasting money on a new infrastructure which might become another ‘white elephant’ just as other public infrastructures around the country. The current JFK needs top-notch health practitioners who are needed to be paid well so that they can make the JFK provide health services to the people.
Artist’s illustration of the new Redemption hospital. Construction has been stalled for years now
Health authorities are still tight-lipped why the new Redemption hospital in upper Caldwell, which the World Bank provided US$14 million to construct, has stalled. The contractor, Kevcon, a subsidiary of West Construction, one time complained that the money deposited into an escrow account from the World Bank to construct the new Redemption was not forthcoming.
At some point in time, contractors and workers at the new Redemption hospital had to protest on countless occasions because Kevcon was unable to pay their wages due to the escrow account reportedly been invaded. Up to date, the new Redemption hospital’s construction is still at a standstill with no reasons being given by relevant authorities. Additional reporting by IPNEWS
