IPNEWS: A proposal by the Ministry of Health to reduce the capacity of the C.H. Rennie Memorial Hospital reconstruction has triggered a wave of anger among citizens in Margibi County.
The new hospital, which was initially planned to have a 150-bed capacity by the past CDC-led Administration of former President George Weah, is now under scrutiny after Margibi Superintendent Victoria Worlobah Duncan publicly announced that the Unity Party-led Administration has planned to reduce the proposed capacity.
H. Rennie Memorial Hospital, Margibi County’s biggest referral health facility, was gutted by fire on August 15, 2021, ravaging the building that housed the hospital’s operating theater, emergency room, inpatient pharmacy, finance office and records section, along with other administrative and other support functions for the hospital.
Former President Weah broke ground in August 2023 for a proposed 150-bed capacity for the reconstruction of the new hospital but the rebuilding process remained at a standstill until the Unity Party led-government was ushered into office on January 22, 2024.
However, Margibi County Superintendent Duncan, making a live radio appearance last week in the county, criticized the proposed design, stating that it is excessively large for the county’s needs.
“The proposed design of the project is very large. I have initiated discussions with the County Project Planner and Resident Engineer to redesign the project,” Duncan said. She emphasized that the current design is too expensive, advocating for a more practical and suitable facility for Margibi.
The previous structure that housed the C.H. Rennie Memorial Hospital held the capacity of 85-bed that served more than 250,000 habitants of Margibi County and surrounding counties, including Montserrado, Bong, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu.
However, the scale and practicality of the project are now under debate. Superintendent Duncan’s opposition has raised concerns about whether the county can effectively utilize such a large facility. The discussions about redesigning the project comes despite the significant public health care needs in the county that hosts the country’s only international airport — Roberts International Airport and one of the largest natural rubber plantations in the world— Firestone Rubber Plantation.
The estimated cost for the reconstruction of the hospital by the past government was placed at $4.5 million, while US$800,000 has been proposed by the Unity Party-led regime for the new hospital project, this paper has gathered.
The plan to reduce the hospital’s capacity has sparked outrage among citizens who fear that a smaller facility will not be able to adequately serve the growing population and their healthcare needs.
As discussions continue, the citizens of Margibi are arguing to see how the project will be adjusted and whether it will ultimately meet the health care demands of their community.
Mr. Dorbor Dennis, a healthcare practitioner and resident of Margibi County, took on his social media handle stating, “A 150-bed hospital is not too big, but necessary for your people in Margibi, considering the growing population and the next generation”.
“Yes, a 150-bed hospital might seem substantial or ‘elaborate’ but for a county with a population of over 250,000, it is necessary and needed”, Dennis said.
He added that it is crucial for the government to consider the healthcare needs of the growing population and future generations, noting that investing in C. H. Rennie Hospital 150-bed infrastructure today, ensures that it remains a reliable healthcare provider for years to come.
“We call on our Honorable Legislative Caucus, Superintendent, County stakeholders, and the Ministry of Health to support and invest in the hospital’s reconstruction and modernization plan at hand. Do Not Change!” he urged.
Another Margibi resident, Adolpus John Boimah Porte, wrote: “This clearly highlights the superintendent’s lack of vision, innovation, and proactive planning. Margibi County is experiencing population growth, making it crucial for all infrastructure developments to consider this expansion. How can they justify reducing a hospital from 150 beds to 88 beds in a county with over 250,000 inhabitants? This decision is clearly misguided. A true leader must anticipate and plan for the future needs of the community.”
Mohamed B. Kamara added his voice: “This raises some fundamental questions to be answered. Is the cost of the hospital construction coming from her expense? Doesn’t Margibi deserve a 150-bed hospital with modern equipment including x-ray?”
“Is not expensive but she wants to redesign it in the ‘Rescue’ design. It’s all about Liberia politics. God there,” Dunor Mohammed opined.
