US$6m for Health Sector
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, has disclosed that Six Million United States Dollars will be used to restore Public health facilities across the country. Some will also go to private health facilities.
Deputy Health Minister Saye D. Baawo said following the restoration basis health services at all public hospitals,
Private health facilities will give a discount of 35% to patients for treatment, emphasizing that the 35% discount will be given for emergency cases, while vaccination, as well as treatment for malaria, among others, will be free.
According to Dr. Bawo, drugs will be distributed among both public and private health facilities across the country.
He noted that since the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia, many health facilities that shut down needed to be restored, indicating health facilities in five counties severely hit by the Ebola virus will initially be considered. They include Montserrado, Margibi, Bomi, Lofa and Nimba.
4,000 health care workers have already been trained to work in both Ebola Treatment Units and ETUs and health facilities.
Upon the restoration of the various health centers, according to the Assistant Health Minister, questions will be asked about sicknesses and temperatures taken at entrances of health facilities to ensure that there is no sign of Ebola before entry.
He said 100 new vehicles have been distributed across the 15 Counties to help the various health sectors, while the ministry was interested in paying anyone volunteering to train more health workers.
Dr. Baawo said the James F. Doe Memorial Hospital in Nimba, Benson Hospital in Monrovia, C. B Dumar hospital in Bong, S.D Cooper in Monrovia, as well the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, ELWA Hospital, the Ganta Methodist Hospital in Nimba, among others, will initially benefit.
He extolled the African Union for its assistance in the fight against the Ebola virus, noting that the Union dispatched 23 Medical Doctors, along with 3 Specialists and the Doctors who will be assigned at the various hospitals.
