The Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Ganta City, Nimba has been without ambulance services for over a year now.
Hospital Administrator Mr. Allen Zormonway said the situation had constrained pregnant women and sick people to transport themselves from far and near locations to access the hospital.
By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
Ganta, Nimba County, March 7, 2024—As aggrieved workers of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Ganta City, Nimba County, resume work following a slow demand for salaries and benefits, the hospital is said to lack ambulance services.
Administrator Mr. Allen Zormonway told The NEW DAWN correspondent that the hospital has been without ambulance services for over a year.
Mr. Zormonway, the situation has constrained pregnant women and sick people to transport themselves from far and near locations to access the hospital.
He accused Rider, a non-governmental organization operating under the Ministry of Health, of failing to repair the only vehicle being used as an ambulance despite a written agreement to perform maintenance services.
He explained that the hospital controlled the ambulance service, while Rider has been responsible for maintenance.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
Mr. Zormonway said the hospital needs at least US$2,759 to restore the ambulance services.
He appealed to community residents, county lawmakers, local administration, and national government for support to enable the faith-based hospital to provide efficient services to the public and save lives.
According to the administrator, the hospital’s budgetary support has been very low, so he is appealing for increment in the operational budget.
He disclosed that the hospital facility, headed by the United Methodist Church health department, alongside partners and trained staffers, should be taken as their own and supported by both the locals and the government.
According to him, a recent training exercise has given the administration and staff more knowledge and experience in engaging community dwellers, including lawmakers and the national government, for support and to take ownership of the facility as it serves the people.
He said the hospital’s new development agenda focuses on sustainability and growth, and the administration has established a thrice-yearly meeting to discuss confronting challenges closely.
“The gathering also helped us see how to make the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church an active contributor to the hospital,” Mr. Zormonway explained.
He noted that the United Methodist Churches and families don’t want the hospital to close its doors to the public, as their goal is to provide healthcare services to the citizenry continuously.
Besides serving the people of Liberia, the Ganta United Methodist Hospital treats patients from neighboring Guinea and Ivory Coast. Editing by Jonathan Browne
