PLEEBO, Maryland County – Residents of Gbololu and Gbewien in Pleebo Sodoken District have officially handed over a newly built health post to the Maryland County Health Team, marking a major milestone in rural healthcare access for the region.
By Peter P. Toe Jr. contributing writer
The facility, constructed with volunteer labor and funding from the county health authorities, is expected to serve more than 3,000 residents across the two communities and surrounding areas.
The handover ceremony took place on Saturday, May 3, in Gbololu Town, drawing community leaders, county officials, and traditional authorities from across the district. The project was hailed as a critical step toward improving healthcare delivery in one of the county’s most underserved regions.
Speaking during the ceremony, community spokesperson John Toe praised the joint effort and urged health authorities to ensure full operation of the center. “This facility will ease the burden on our people who have long struggled to access basic health services,” he said.
Maryland County Health Officer Dr. Siedou Freeman, who officially received the keys to the facility, expressed gratitude to the communities for their initiative. “With the rainy season approaching, this building is timely. It will help our pregnant women and others who need urgent care,” Dr. Freeman stated.
Chief Thomas Nyema of Gbewien recounted the years of hardship, noting that sick residents were often carried in hammocks to distant clinics. “We’ve lost many to preventable illnesses. But today, I can say our people will not die again from common sicknesses,” he said emotionally.
The new health post, a single-room facility, will offer services including vaccinations, antenatal care, and treatment of common illnesses like malaria and high blood pressure. Dr. Freeman added that complex cases would still be referred to the Old Sodoken clinic.
Nelson Neal, Chair of the Maryland Council of Chiefs, pledged continued support to sustain the facility. “We will work with the CHT to supply the health post with needed materials,” he said.
