Tappita City, Nimba County – The Tappita District Development Association (TADDA), led by its Executive Director Joanne Toweh, has generously donated a 40-foot container filled with essential medical supplies and equipment valued at over US$276,000 to the Jackson Fiah Doe (JFD) Memorial Regional Referral Hospital and several clinics in Tappita Statutory District, Lower Nimba County.
By Siaway T. Miapue, contributing writer
The donation, made possible through contributions from diaspora-based Tappita District citizens and MedShare, Inc. in Atlanta, aimed to bolster the development of these health facilities that are providing vital services to residents of the area.
The high-quality medical equipment includes clean birthing kits, digital blood pressure monitors, ultrasound machines, gowns, patient universal IV administration sets, needles (23Gx1), N95 particulate respirators, masks, isolation gowns (XL), among others. The presentation was led by TADDA’s delegation from the United States, including Executive Director Joanne Toweh and Mrs. Bessie K. Lurlay, former board chair of TADDA, along with TADDA-Liberia executives, including Joe Bantu, Country Representative, and Madam Marie Gonkerwon, Chairperson of TADDA Monrovia Chapter.
During the turnover ceremony, Madam Toweh assured the JFD management of ongoing support and collaboration, expressing confidence that with this assistance, the health facility could become the country’s premier hospital. She emphasized that this gesture reinforces the organization’s commitment to augmenting the Liberian government’s efforts in strengthening the health sector, ensuring that residents, especially rural dwellers, have access to essential health services.
Madam Toweh underscored that the medical supplies are intended for free use on every patient and are part of efforts to combat common illnesses easily treatable with these resources, ultimately saving lives.
“The medical supplies are not to be sold to any patient but should be used on every patient free of charge,” Madam Toweh said. “It is also part of efforts to save people from dying from common sicknesses that are easily cured.”
In her remarks, Chairperson Emeritus of TADDA Board Mrs. Lurlay encouraged residents of Tappita Statutory District to rally their relatives both at home and abroad to join the organization, contributing to the area’s growth and development. She commended members in the diaspora for their continuous contributions to the district and its people.
Dr. Ponnie Robertlee-Doe, Chief Executive Officer of JFD, expressed gratitude for TADDA’s continuous support, affirming that the essential medical supplies would significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to provide crucial services to the community. Dr. Doe pledged collaboration with TADDA to procure additional supplies, further improving their services.
This donation adds to TADDA’s longstanding support for JFD and other institutions. Since its inception, TADDA has funded initiatives such as renovating school buildings, building toilets, providing drugs to health facilities including JFD, and awarding scholarships to residents, many of whom are now serving the district in various capacities.
The recent donation benefited 16 health facilities in critical need of medical supplies and equipment, including government-owned clinics in Bonglay, Diallah, Glahn Town, Graie Township, Lorplay, New Yourpea, Toweh Town, Zodru, Zuah Town and Zuolay. Also, benfited include private facilities like Mid-Baptist Clinic and Consolata Clinic run by the Catholic Church. The JFD Hospital received 86% of the medical supplies.
The official turnover ceremony was attended by local government officials, including the Statutory District Superintendent, heads of beneficiary health facilities, and residents, all of whom praised TADDA’s contributions and encouraged further support.
The Tappita District Development Association, a charitable organization founded by Tappita citizens in the United States with a branch in Liberia, has consistently made significant impacts in Tappita Statutory District, covering Nimba District #6 and portions of District #9. This latest donation underscores TADDA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare and education in the region, supported by contributions from its members in the diaspora.