By Mark B. Newa
IPNews-Monrovia , Liberia -27 March 2018:In fulfillment of a promise made during the Armed Forces Day ceremony on February 12, 2018, President George Manneh Weah has broken ground for the construction 150-200-bedroom hospital in Liberia.
Making the statement Monday, March 26, 2018 during the souvenir program marking the ground breaking activity at the \Edward Beyan Kesselly Barracks in Schefflin, Margibi County, President Weah said he is of the strong conviction that the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) can play a major role in the development of the country and the sub region.
“We are building an army of professionally trained soldiers and well cared for to the highest standards. No specialized military facilities in the country, so when our soldiers return from peacekeeping missions they have to seek medical attention outside the country,” the commander-in-chief of the AFL indicated.
President Weah clarified that in order to address some of these rising concerns in the army, the first military hospital will be for the exclusive use of the army and other security forces.
He said over the last six weeks the plan and design of the facilities were approved and will be followed by the construction work.
“The 14 Military Hospital will have modern facilities that will be staffed by high profiled military personnel. In 1995, a Liberian was the first to win Ballon d`Or, and began FIFA Footballer of the Year flying the Liberian flag in the Hall of Fame. I was that Liberian. I do more action than talk, I delivered and kept my promise,” the commander-in-chief of the AFL added.
For his part, the chief medical officer of the AFL, Joshua George said the hospital when completed will provide quality patient care, education and training to Liberian nurses and doctors.
George added that of the 50 acres of land earmarked for the hospital, only 11.5 acres were cleared by the engineering battalion of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
“It is anticipated that this hospital will not be a public health facility to serve only soldiers and their dependents, but also to provide the larger society access to healthcare,” the AFL chief medical officer added.
