By: Ben T.C. Brooks
River Gee County ~ The Jayproken Clinic in Potupo District, River Gee County, is expected to reopen in early January 2026 following months of closure caused by extensive destruction from a violent storm that ripped through the area in April.
The clinic widely regarded as the only reliable healthcare facility serving several surrounding communities was forced to shut down after its roof and structural components were severely damaged, leaving thousands without essential medical services.
The closure created a major healthcare gap, prompting local leaders, residents, and county authorities to call for urgent intervention.
Representative Isaac Boy Choloplay Wou, who represents River Gee’s Electoral District 2, responded to the crisis by contributing materials to jumpstart the rebuilding process.
In mid-August 2025, he donated 15 bundles of zinc to support the replacement of the clinic’s damaged roofing, enabling contractors to accelerate restoration work.
While the lawmaker’s contribution addressed immediate needs, the broader renovation effort has been spearheaded and financed by the Ministry of Health through the River Gee County Health Team.
The ministry’s support includes significant structural rehabilitation as well as the installation of improved sanitation and hygiene systems designed to strengthen resilience against future climate-related emergencies.
River Gee County Health Officer, Dr. Pauline Weah Medeh, said the upgrades go beyond basic repairs.
“These improvements not only restore the clinic’s capacity to operate but also enhance its ability to withstand future weather challenges,” Dr. Medeh explained.
She added that the Jayproken Clinic is just one of several facilities recently renovated across the county with funding from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Other facilities undergoing or completing upgrades include the Gbeapo, Kanweaken, and Sarbo Comprehensive Health Centers, as well as the Chedepo Putuken, Gbeapo Pronoken, Tuobo Gbarweliken, and Webo, Jimmiville Clinics.
Residents of Jayproken and surrounding towns say the prolonged closure forced many to walk long distances or rely on costly transportation to reach alternative health centers.
The absence of nearby healthcare placed vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children, and the elderly at heightened risk.
For many families, the upcoming reopening is a long-awaited relief.
Health officials confirmed that once renovations are finalized later this month, the clinic will reopen to the public in January, restoring critical medical services to communities across Potupo District.
River Gee County currently has 20 operational health facilities, with the soon-to-be-reopened Jayproken Clinic among them. The Fish-Town Hospital continues to serve as the county’s main referral center.
The rehabilitation of Jayproken Clinic, local leaders say, represents a major step in strengthening healthcare access and improving resilience in one of Liberia’s most underserved regions.
