Monrovia – World Bank has made significant donations to boost Liberia’s surveillance system and laboratory capacity.
The Bank presented five vehicles, including two buses and three land cruiser jeeps. Also in the Bank’s package were 16 motor bikes to enhance the full implementation of the Regional Disease Surveillance Enhancement Project.
A Health Ministry statement signed by its Communication Consultant, Sorbor George, quotes the World Bank Project Coordinator, Mathew Flomo as saying, the project is being implemented by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.
World Bank Project Coordinator Mathew Flomo and
World Bank Senior Health Specialist, Dr. Munirat Ogunkay
Turning over the keys of the vehicles, Mr. Flomo said the bank was delighted over the level of work being done by the Ministry of Health, National Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture in areas of both animal and human health.
He wants the three institutions utilize the donations for the full implementation of the Disease Surveillance Enhancement Project.
Taking delivery of the keys, Assistant Health Minister for Administration, Mr. James Forkpa, thanked the World Bank for the donation and assured its proper usage.
Minister Forkpa recalled the World Bank’s many contributions to the health sector over the years, adding that Liberians would forever be grateful to the Bank.
The total value of the donation is around US$216,000. The 18-seated bus and a jeep will be used by the Agriculture Ministry for its animal health program, while the 32-seated bus will go to NPHIL to transport its research staff of the Liberia Institute of Biomedical Research program.
The technical head of the Infectious Disease and Epidemiology will also benefit the usage of one of the World Bank’s donated vehicles.
Also speaking at the ceremony, World Bank Senior Health Specialist, DR. Munirat Ogunkay, said the Bank was delighted to make the donation and assured of more support to the health sector.
She praised the Ministry for the work done over the years and hoped the donations will be used for the purpose intended.
In a related development, the World Bank has furnished the main conference room of the Ministry of Health and its extension with state of the art digital IT equipment and new office materials. The project is worth close to US$200,000.