Monrovia – The plights of health workers remain high; raging from low and delayed salaries and low incentives, shortages of doctors, nurses and clinical officers in rural areas.
Statistics show that the doctor to patient ratio in Liberia is 1:1,000 with Liberia having over a little of 288 doctors including surgeons, dentist, pediatricians, orthopedics, ophthalmologists, gynecologist and general practitioners, amongst others.
In the wake many health challenges in the country, members of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA) on Saturday, December 17, 2016 gathered at the A.M. Doglotti College of Medicine in Monrovia and elected new corps of officers to steer the affair of the association.
Dr. Jerry Brown, medical director and general surgeon at the ELWA Hospital who is widely known as Liberia’s EBOLA hero for his courage and determination to fight and successfully manage the Ebola disease crisis in Liberia lost to JFK & Redemption Hospital, Dr. Louise Kpoto, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Epidemiologist and Proprietress of the Medlink Clinic, winning with over 300% of the votes casted.
Dr. Jonathan Hart who recently served as spokesman for the aggrieved doctors demanding their three-month salary arrears owed by government was elected secretary of the association.
Others elected to lead the association are: Dr. Linda Birch, Vice President; Dr. Yassah Barclay, treasure and Dr. Adolphus Yeaih, Chaplain.
President-elect, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto in a Facebook post extended gratitude saying “On behalf of myself, and the newly elected officials of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA), I would like to express our profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your overwhelming support for us, as well as your trust and confidence reposed in us to steer the affairs of our noble association. By the Grace of the Almighty God and your continuous support we shall make all of you proud and make our LMDA Second to none”.
Report by James-Emmanuel D. Cole, Jr (Staff Writer)