By: Ben T.C. Brooks
River Gee County – The Fish-Town Referral Hospital has made a significant upgrade by launching a new wing dedicated to medication storage, aiming to improve local healthcare services.
The enhancement, funded by the Government of Liberia’s through the Ministry of Health with the help of partners, seeks to address the ongoing shortage of medicines and improve access to essential healthcare for thousands in River Gee County and surrounding areas.
“The facility reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering quality healthcare to all Liberians,” said Administrator Desmond S.K. Campbell of the Fish-Town Referral Hospital.
“Our aim is to ensure that no mother has to give birth without the vital resources for dealing with complications and that patients with malaria or diabetes receive the necessary treatments without interruptions.”
“With the new storage and dispensing areas, the hospital has increased its supply of medications”. Campbell said.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Liberian government and the Ministry of Health for their prompt and sufficient quarterly supply of medications to the hospital, which allows it to function efficiently”.
Desmond S.K. Campbell the referral hospital Administrator also noted that while the government may sometimes be slow to respond in other areas, they have achieved a perfect score in ensuring that essential medications are consistently available in a timely manner.
Additionally, renovations are underway at a county health facility, signaling further improvements in the county healthcare services.
In a related initiative, the Gbeapo Comprehensive Health Center has officially begun offering surgical services, marking a significant leap for rural healthcare in southeastern River Gee.
Under the leadership of its inaugural Medical Director, Dr. Milton B.Z. Nyema, the facility is now equipped to handle life-saving surgeries, including cesarean sections and hernia repairs.
This transformation has received strong support from the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Health, and the River Gee County Health Team.
To date, the Gbeapo Health Center has successfully performed over 20 surgical procedures, showcasing the increasing trust and demand from local communities.
The center has also received new medical beds and undergone extensive renovations, all financed through the national budget.
These developments represent a crucial advancement in decentralizing vital healthcare services, easing the burden on the Fish-Town Referral Hospital, the county’s primary referral facility.
Local residents and health officials view this progress as a beacon of hope, promising better access to critical care for thousands in the County.
Residents are optimistic that these upgrades will lead to fewer medical referrals, lower patient costs, and ultimately save lives. “We have waited for years for this level of service,” said Ma. Esther Weah from the Tutuville community in Fish-Town.
The improvements at both Fish-Town Referral Hospital and Gbeapo Comprehensive Health Center exemplify successful public-private partnerships in advancing rural healthcare.
