By Taisiah K. Merfee
The World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the Federal Republic of Germany, Tuesday, May 16, donated two ambulances and a Land Cruiser Pickup to the Ministry of Health.
The donation is aimed to boosting the health sector of Liberia. The handover event took place at the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Congotown, Monrovia.
Before he handed the vehicles over to the Health Ministryโs authorities, WHO Country Director, Dr. Peter Clement said the logistical support is critical to Liberiaโs post-COVID drive. Dr. Clement disclosed that the items were a generous contribution from the Federal Republic of Germany.
He said the gesture emanated during the opening of the oxygen plant.
โWe are very grateful to the government and people of Germany for the generous support which is meant to help Liberia get rid of COVID-19 and to also improve the health system at the time COVID is no more a public emergency concern,” Dr. Clement said.
He reiterated that the WHOโs declaration of Covid no longer being an emergency does not mean that it is over.
Dr. Clement further clarified that the declaration means that the world needs to address COVID with an integrated approach and not to render it as emergency just as resources from COVID such as the donation will help maintain services and improve the health system of Liberia.
He mentioned that this logistical support will bring added value and dividend to the people of Liberia for better health outcome and achievement”, he stressed.
Also speaking at the donation program, Health Minister, Dr. (MD) Wilhelmina Jallah said the two ambulances will be used by the Infectious Disease Unit. The Health Minister further stated that the Unit, at Star Base, was opened during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be used not only for COVID but other infectious diseases, including measles.
“We have already received equipment for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that we will be setting up with proper training for the staff that will be working there to be able to use. We will constantly have a unit here in Liberia where anyone with any infectious disease within the vicinity of Monrovia will be transferred,” she said.
For his part, German Ambassador Dr. Jakob Haselhuber said that Liberia health system had suffered many challenges in recent times, ranging from Ebola virus, COVID-19 and many others.
According to Dr. Haselbuber, it’s now time that Liberia used their experiences learned from the COVID-19 and other infectious disease to inform and strengthen the capacity of the health sector.
“We are excited to form part of this ceremony. We hope that the vehicles donated here today will be maintained and kept in good condition at all times. We trust that the vehicle will be used and maintained well to further strengthen the health system and improve quality emergency health care” he concluded.
