Deficiency in Health Sector – Sen. Coleman

Former Health Minister, now Grand Kru County Senator Peter Coleman says Liberia’s health sector has deficiencies.

“Whether you like it or not, people leave the country for better treatment because our health sector has deficiencies,” Senator Coleman told a local radio program host (Fabric Fm) in Monrovia Tuesday Morning.

The Senator, who said he often takes treatment here when quizzed by the program host, however, suggested that there be a policy put in place to be led by the Chief Executive and Vice President wherein all officials must seek medication in Liberia, and only flown out of the country where it is determined that the health services available cannot relieve their ailments.

Senator Coleman contended that by compelling all officials to undergo treatment in Liberia, the government would be more determined in providing more support to improve the health sector.

In Liberia, most officials prefer medical attention outside the country due to the aged-old poor health sector couple with the lack of specialized medics. Quite recently, Liberia’s Finance Minister was flown to Ghana, and later to the United States of America when he became ill.

During the same period of his illness, Liberia’s former President Moses Z. Blazh died from illness under local medical attention, which others believed was due to his inability to seek treatment outside Liberia.

Notwithstanding, the former health minister said about two days in the week, he renders medical services, especially in surgery, at the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor.

“I take off my Legislative cap and put on my medical cap about two days weekly to render medical service – surgery at the JFK,” said Dr. Coleman.

On the other hand, Dr. Coleman argued that though there is some equipment at hospitals, yet people leave the country for treatment, something, he said, was capital intensive.

Apparently, he noted, others leave because they are not aware of the availability of some of those health equipment.