Monrovia – Following the death of Jessica Broderick, 45, at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center early this year, a Liberian based in the US has stressed that nurses in Liberia must focus on learning basic lifesaving skills.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
Tawah Fenner says the incident of Broderick’s death prompted her to conduct training for nurses at the country’s premiere heath care center.
Broderick, a nurse who has been working for the last 15 years, went to seek treatment for a severe heart pain but was told to go through the formalities of registration before receiving treatment.
Eyewitnesses recalled that she collapsed while walking to the registration center – about a 15-minute walk from the main facility located on the compound of the hospital.
And Fenner says chest pain is a medical emergency that should be treated as such.
She was speaking at a 2-day training for 26 nurses and is expected to begin another in Bong County. She also brought into the country several materials for nurses, which she said were donated by the American heart association.
She said the death of Jessica encouraged her to return to Liberia in order to educate nurses on how they can swiftly resuscitate patients.
Fenner practiced for 13 years both in America and Liberia. Upon her recent return to Liberia, she designed a program to benefit Liberian nurses. She also suggests that health should be a priority for the government, urging that more budgetary support should be provided to public health centers.
“They have learned it but they need equipment and materials, if these are not provided, the chances of patients surviving is a slim chance when equipment is not affordable,” she said.
Gloria Stevens, president of Liberia’s Nursing Association, lauded the initiative and said the training is was a refresher for health practitioners and lessons learn must be shared with colleagues.
Two participants of the program, J. Habakkuk Gaye of Good Will medical Center in Fiamah and Patience Konneh, nurse at JFK’s Chronic Care Unit, said the Cardiac Pulmonary training was their first and will be applied both in and out of the hospital.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
