The World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of Germany have donated two ambulances and an operating Land Cruiser to the Ministry of Health of Liberia (MoH).
The vehicles, which are worth over US$130,000 will be used to enhance the country’s health system and strengthen its infectious disease center across Liberia.
Speaking during the donation ceremony Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the MoH in Congo Town, WHO Country Representative Dr. Peter Clement said the vehicles would help to improve the country’s case management and boost its health sector.
This, he maintained, “We think that this support is a critical one to boost Liberia’s health sector and these vehicles will also enhance the country’s health system thereby strengthening case management which is critical.”
According to him, the donation was made possible by the general contribution from the government of Germany, adding that the operating Land Cruiser-Pick-up will be used to coordinate the oxygen plants from one point to another in the country.
Health Minister Dr. Wilhemina S. Jallah acknowledged the receipt of the ambulances and said the Ministry was pleased for the kind gesture.
According to her, the vehicles would be used to provide oxygen in and around Monrovia while the other plants are operating. “We hope that this will be used to bring our filled and empty cylinder back and forth to make sure that every facility will struggle from oxygen.”
She also disclosed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the star based oxygen plant was opened as an infectious disease unit “because not only Covid-19 affect Liberia, we have other diseases like the Lassa Fever among others that need to be treated at the center there.”
“we have already received the equipment for the intensive care unit that we will be setting up shortly with proper training for our staff,” Minister Jallah added.
German Ambassador to Liberia, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber said the donation was part of the German government’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s health sector, noting that the government was determined to build a resilient health system in Liberia and that the donation was a step in the right direction.
“Liberia benefited from the experience of EBVD and now the COVID-19 pandemic, the country still reports a high number of health records for people infected with the disease.
“The German government is committed to supporting Liberia’s health sector and we hope that this donation will help to improve the quality of care and better patient outcomes,” Haselhuber said.