Plan International dedicates 10-bedroom clinic

Residents of Todee District, Montserrado County, are excited about a 10-bedroom clinic constructed by the charity, Plan International, according to a press release. “I have never seen such a development in many years if not more than 50 years now, said Massa Johnson, chairlady of the rural women structure.

Todee is in rural Montserrado County, nearly two hours’ drive from Monrovia, Liberia’s capital. “I am too happy and overjoyed to see in my life time a new hospital that will help us women get easy access to health care”, Massa added. 

She is one of thousands of Liberians, who reside the district without a health facility to run to during emergencies or when they get sick. According to Massa, residents of Todee have suffered too long and lost many of their kinsmen especially, pregnant women.

“We carry sick people and pregnant women in wheelbarrows and hammock as far as Kakata, Margibi County to seek treatment. Due to lack of hospital in Todee, so many people have died and they died from common diseases and illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, and chronic cold as well as other water-borne diseases”

She described the event as joyous as thousands of residents gathered to witness the turning-over ceremony of a 10-bedroom clinic completed by Plan. The facility was made possible under the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) project UK.

“We are dedicating this structure to the people of Todee and the Government of Liberia to help ease the health challenge of this community.

“Plan Liberia was approached by the Montserrado County Health Team on several accessions to construct this clinic. “Today, we are here to simply fulfill our promise to the citizens of Todee”, remarks Dr. Collins Sayang, Plan International Liberia Program Support Manager.

Dr. Sayang puts the cost of the Pleemu Community Health Center at US$70, 200.00. The Plan Liberia Program Support Manager encouraged community residents to properly maintain the facility.

“I urged you to begin taking the lead and ownership in championing your own development because the clinic will only be maintained and kept cleaned with the support of every citizen in Todee”, Sayang said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Montserrado County, District Number 1 Representative, Josephine Francis, praised Plan International for its development efforts around the country and especially for completing the Pleemu Health Center.

Representative Francis stressed that health delivery is a must and number priority for residents of Todee, particularly women, who suffered many complications during delivery.

“We are too overwhelmed and can’t stop appreciating our partner, Plan International for this great work in a short time. Plan has been around more than 30 years and has demonstrated her commitment to continuously support the Liberian people and the government in her development drive.”
She appealed for an additional housing unit for nurses and doctors.

Daniel Pabie, Todee District Commissioner, praised Plan for the clinic and challenged citizens of the district to ensure the clinic is maintained and well utilized. The ceremony was attended by officials of the Liberian government, health practitioners, students of the Pleemu Public School, local government authorities and Plan Liberia staff, among others. Editing by Jonathan Browne