Residents of Kakata, Margibi County, are growing increasingly concerned about the lack of access to affordable and adequate healthcare following the destruction of the C.H. Rennie Hospital by fire in August 2021. The hospital, which was the largest referral facility in the region, has not been rebuilt, leaving residents with limited healthcare options.
Kelvin Konah, a local resident from Walker Farm, shared his frustrations during an interview with our contributor, stressing how the absence of the hospital has significantly impacted the community. “The closure of C.H. Rennie Hospital has caused major challenges for us,” he said. “Not only have many people been unable to receive proper medical treatment, but it has also led to job losses, as the hospital was one of the biggest employers in the area.”
In addition to the economic and medical hardships, Jennie Laypay, another resident, highlighted the struggles faced by pregnant women in Kakata. She noted that the lack of a proper medical facility has made childbirth increasingly dangerous. “Many pregnant women are now forced to travel long distances for medical care, which is both expensive and risky,” Laypay said, urging the government to act swiftly.
The community’s calls for the hospital’s reconstruction have grown louder, with many residents urging the Liberian government to prioritize rebuilding C.H. Rennie Hospital through the Ministry of Health. As the crisis continues to deepen, local leaders and residents are hopeful that their voices will be heard, and the hospital will soon be rebuilt to serve the health needs of Kakata and surrounding areas.
By Emmanuel Kangar – Margibi Correspondent
