Monrovia – Health Minister, Dr. Bernice Dahn on Wednesday, December 13 visited Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties, expressing gratitude to healthcare workers and county stakeholders for their service in the health sector during her administration.
Minister Dahn said she was not only visiting but to also report on promises made during her previous visit that preceded her confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
Minister Dahn said she was pleased that with the support of government, donors, healthcare workers and other stakeholders, much has been achieved in the health sector.
She said initially, there were 4000 health workers not on government’s payroll but her administration managed to revise that number by 2000.
The number later increased thus forcing the ministry to place a halt on recruitment.
The Health Minister explained that besides health verification was ordered and outcome showed that over 1500 healthcare workers were not in the county and over 900 not either on county health team lists nor the ministry’s.
She assured that steps are being taken to address the problem but hoped that the incoming administration will find a lasting solution.
During the visits, she also spoke about accommodation for healthcare workers, earmarking 82 housing units. Her administration started 41 and completed 8 as a pilot project in rural Liberia.
She hailed FARA – USAID funded project through whose savings the construction of additional housing units are being constructed.
In Zeedru, Minister Dahn said 15 units are being constructed and a mortgage policy would be developed for health workers to eventually own those units.
Minister Dahn also named the renovation of health facilities and construction triages across the country, the National Public Health Institute and construction of a new NDS warehouse.
Amongst her achievements in the health sector, Minister Dahn also spoke about effort to strengthen laboratory and diagnostic services at the JFK and the relocation of the Redemption Hospital to a new site in Caldwell.
Minister Dahn also made mention about de-fragmenting the Community Health Service Program, in which about 2000 of them have been trained and job opportunities created.
The visits also took Minister Dahn and party to the project site if the West African Health Organizations near the border with Sierra Leone.
WAHO is constructing a Health facility for both the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone.