Drug Shortage, Bad Roads Hurt Gbarpolu

The head of a humanitarian group operating in Gbarpolu County, Cole Payne, has decried “the appalling living conditions” of citizens in the county, LINA reports. Payne, who claims he just returned from the county, cited the shortage of basic drugs at the only medical center in Bopolu city, noting that this was contributing to health complications in the area.

He explained that damaged bridges and the lack of good roads were also hampering the delivery of health services and development in the county. Payne spoke of the deplorable condition of schools, lack of qualified teachers and adequate instructional materials were negatively impacting the county’s educational system.

Payne, who is founder and director of “Smile Gbarpolu”, a humanitarian non-governmental organization, told the Liberia news Agency Tuesday that lawmakers from the county have failed to adequately address the plight of the people

One of Liberia’s newest political sub-divisions, Gbarpolu was created by an act of the National Legislature merging Gbarma and Bopolu Districts that have been considered among the least developed counties in Liberia.