-As WHO, MOH Kick off Blood Donation Awareness
The Executive Director-designate of the National Commission on Disabilities in Liberia, Mr. Samuel Dean, has lauded the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) for its inclusivity agenda toward people living with disabilities (PLWD).
WHO is climaxing its 75th Anniversary, which has been ongoing for a year. As a part of activities marking its climax this April 8, 2024, which actually makes the UN’s specialized agency 76, the WHO Office in Liberia is not leaving anyone behind and has included PLWD in its celebration.
The world body, on Tuesday, presented 16 wheelchairs and 40 walking canes to members of the disabled community in Liberia.
Making remarks after the “Mobility Equipment Donation”, Dean thanked the WHO for thinking about them. He also used the occasion to call on authorities of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, where the donation ceremony took place, to among other things make medical treatment free for all members of the disabled community.
He also rallied the health stakeholders, including WHO, Ministry of Health, JFK, UNICEF, etc, to now begin implementing policies and desist from the past when, according to him, implementation of policies that affect them was “elusive”.
“We shouldn’t just talk about policy, and implementation shouldn’t be elusive because that has been the case; we have lots of policies on the book,” he said. He reminisced how UNICEF sponsored one policy, which costs around US$1 million. Dean added: “That money could have gone to improve social welfare; it’s a policy that is on the shelf and it’s just there.”
Also speaking earlier, Dr. Clement Lugala Peter, the WHO Representative in Liberia, expressed compassion with the disabled community. Dr. Peter articulated the WHO’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of PLWD.
As he spoke of the integral role that PLWD play in the society, he emphasized that WHO will continue to ensure that they have access to quality healthcare.
He reminded those with disabilities in the hall and others that regardless of life’s unfortunate experiences, they are an intrinsic part of society. “You are part of the society and have meaningful contributions,” he told them. He received applauds from them for his kind words.
Also speaking, the Officer in Charge of the JFK Memorial Hospital, Mrs. Dama Yekeson Koffa, expressed her institution’s unwavering commitment to enhancing accessibility for all PLWD.
Mrs. Koffa, wife of House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa, emphasized that disability concerns should be collectively addressed by the society; adding: “It’s everybody’s business. Those who think it’s not their business, it’s unfortunate for you.”
The JFKMH General Administrator praised the resilience and dedication of individuals with disabilities working at the hospital. She told the audience, most of whom were PLWD, that disability does not diminish a person’s worth or capabilities.
For her part, Ms. Joyce Kepeh, who represented the Second Lady who should have served as the Guest of Honor, emphasized that ensuring human dignity, equality, diversity, and inclusion is a fundamental right for all PLWD.
“As we age, we become potential candidates for disabilities, and it is reported that up to 50% of the world’s population experiences some form of disability without intervention,” she said as she read from prepared text which should have been delivered by Mrs. Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung, Second Lady of Liberia. Mrs. Koung’s husband, Jeremiah Kphan Koung, is the Vice President of Liberia.
To further scale up assistive technology programs in Liberia, Ms. Kepeh said the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, including devices for mobility and vision with products for hearing, self-care, cognition, and communication, should be integrated. She promised the Liberian government will continue to work with relevant partners to achieve this and other goals.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), through its National Blood Safety Program, kicked off a voluntary blood donation initiative on Wednesday, April 3rd, with the slogan: “Every Blood Donor Is a Hero.”
The voluntary blood donation initiative began at the One United Nations House in Monrovia, where stakeholders, including WHO Representative Dr. Peter Clement and others, donated blood at the UN clinic.
Later, the program extended to the Ministry of Health, where dozens of citizens, including medical students from the University of Liberia, had trooped and donated blood.
After donating blood, WHO Representative Dr. Peter Clement said his voluntary blood donation was an action of the WHO to identify some of the critical health challenges.
