Pres. Sirleaf dedicates new eye center

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dedicated a New Sight Eye Center in 72nd Paynesville City and described the Executive Director and Founder Dr. Robert Dolo as “a Symbol of the New Liberia”.

An Executive Mansion release said over the weekend that President Sirleaf made the assertion on Saturday, June 25, 2016, when she dedicated and cut the ribbon to a newly constructed modern New Sight Eye Center in Bassa Town, 72nd Community in Paynesville City outside Monrovia.

President Sirleaf who appeared elated over Dr. Dolo and his partners’ desire to construct the Eye Center in Liberia said the new Liberia needs people who are willing to be a part of the development of their country. She said such Liberians make the sacrifice because sometime they do not have the resources but they have the skills and talents and are willing to put them to work not only for themselves but for the good of others. She lauded Dr. Dolo for choosing eye care, which according to her is not often found in the Liberian society because a takes extreme talents and skills.

President Sirleaf used the occasion to commend residents of the community who turnout in their numbers to witness the ceremony and for closely working with Dr. Dolo and his partners and supporters in acquiring the land on which the “Two Storey Building” is situated. She said together, everyone can achieve something in rebuilding the country, like what Dr. Robert Dolo and the 72nd residents have done.

The Liberian leader said while her leadership has been keen on building some of the best “Resilience Health Centers in the country to address the outbreak of Ebola, one of the areas in the health sector that will need serious attentions is the area of eye sight improvement.

For his part, the Executive Director and Founder of the New Sight Center, Dr. Robert Dolo thanked President Sirleaf for the honor and said the New Eye Center launched in 2012 is aimed at reducing preventable blindness and visual impairment in rural and upper communities in Liberia. He said his objective is to make eye health available and affordable to individual families across Liberia and the sub-region.

President Sirleaf and delegation toured the entire facility, including “Counseling Room, Visual Acuity, Theatre and Surgical Unit,” and the “Optical Unit”. The Liberian leader then pledged her support as part of her contribution towards the efforts of Dr. Dolo and his partners.

President Sirleaf briefly interacted with one of the patients at the New Sight Eye Center in person of Mr. Peter Gaye of Grand Gedeh County, who has been within the employ of the Ministry of Education for the past 14-years but is currently admitted at the Center and is being treated by specialists.

In brief remarks, Montserrado County Electoral District No # 5, Representative, Thomas Fallah, commended President Sirleaf for creating the enabling environments for every Liberian to return home and make their contributions like Dr. Robert Dolo.

The Ceremony was also graced by Arch Bishop Lewis Zeigler, Catholic Archbishop of Monrovia, Dr. Francis N. Kateh, Liberia Chief Medical Officer, Community members among others.-press release