Monrovia – On May 23, 2025, the United States Government, through the Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster Assistance, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) program, donated over US$150,000 worth of lifesaving endoscopic medical equipment to the Armed Forces of Liberia’s (AFL) 14 Military Hospital.

According to a release from the U.S. Embassy, the state-of-the-art equipment will enhance the hospital’s capacity to screen, diagnose, and treat gastrointestinal illnesses, including cancer, using minimally invasive procedures. This critical upgrade makes 14 Military Hospital one of the first medical facilities in Liberia to offer such advanced diagnostic and treatment services—significantly improving patient outcomes and contributing to a stronger, more self-reliant national healthcare system.

As part of the initiative, U.S. military medical professionals are also providing hands-on training to AFL medical staff to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the equipment. This collaboration not only boosts Liberia’s medical readiness but also strengthens the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Liberian armed forces, the release noted.

The donation aligns with broader efforts to enhance regional stability and preparedness, advancing mutual long-term interests. The United States has made several sustained investments in the 14 Military Hospital, including funding the opening of a dedicated Tuberculosis Clinic in November 2024. Ongoing medical exchanges and professional development programs continue to support AFL medical personnel in providing high-quality care to both military personnel and the broader public.

The donation also coincided with a week-long subject matter expert exchange at the hospital, led by the Michigan National Guard. Since 2009, the Michigan Guard has partnered with the AFL under the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program. As a recognized “Force for Good,” the Michigan Guard has played a vital role in enhancing the AFL’s operational effectiveness, supporting institutional development, and promoting shared values of service, accountability, and professionalism.

During the exchange, Michigan Guard personnel also donated essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, bandages, syringes, and other critical items—further reinforcing the shared commitment to health, readiness, and resilience.

Boys Town, Margibi – Indians living in Liberia have made a “huge” donation to the medical personnel and the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia assigned at the 14 Military Hospital in Margibi County.

The 14 Military Hospital is where more than 25 of the country’s over 35 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 are being kept, observed and given supportive treatments.

Honorary Indian Consul General

Before he presented the items which were in the buckets of nine trucks, the Honorary Consul General of India, Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, who is popularly known in Liberia as Jeety, told the Liberians doing all to save lives at the 14 Military Hospital that on behalf of Indians living in Liberia and as Honorary Consul General of India in Liberia, they had gone there to identify with them. 

“We are touched by the level of work done by doctors, nurses, janitors and all other health workers and the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

“We are so proud of you all for risking your lives to save others’ lives is priceless. I on behalf of Indians living in Liberia, we salute you for your courage, dedication, commitment to save each and every precious life in Liberia.”

Mr. Sachdeva singled out Dr. Jerry Brown, who was one of those leaders in the fight against the 2014 Ebola outbreak. “Now he has taken charge to defeat and win over COVID-19 Coronavirus. I would like to mention here with pride and honor the selfless commitment of Dr. Jerry Brown and his passionate love for his patients. He was the Man of the Year for EBOLA and he will be Coronavirus Hero in Liberia.”

He also informed Dr. Brown that he had honored his request and brought in the specific things he had asked him for a day earlier. “During my conversation yesterday and day before with Dr. Brown, he was very passionate and worried about the safety of health workers at the hospital and requested for 10 aluminum doors (5-double doors) which without hesitation and waiting for the donation ceremony, we delivered it yesterday. Also he requested us for folding hospital beds, nurses uniforms, bed sheets, pillow, pillow covers, electric washing machine and electric dryer among others.  Dr. Brown, we are pleased to inform you that we have brought everything as part of our donation.” 

The Indian diplomat, who said Liberia is their second home, than made one of the best announcements: “To honor the health workers (50) including doctors, nurses, janitorial staff, lab assistants etc., assigned at hospital, we have brought for them two bags of rice per head and in sealed envelope separately US$100 for each health worker. For Dr. Brown, we have brought envelope of US$1000 along with two bags of rice. We are also giving 100 bags of rice to the gallant men & women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who are serving at the hospital.”

Before he presented the envelopes and list of all the items on the trucks to Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Mr. Jeety told Dr. Brown that the donation was an initial gesture from their community and that he (Dr. Brown) should feel free to call on them anything should there be a need.

Foreign Minister Findley

Responding, Foreign Minister Findley expressed President George Weah’s heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the donation.

“The President is very concerned on how we win this battle against this Coronavirus. He wants to see all Liberians joining together to fight this virus,” he stated.

The Foreign Minister congratulated the personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who were being led by one Colonel Dada, for the level of work they had done on the facilities, which is not fully operational as a hospital.

He than passed over the envelopes and one list of items to Dr. Brown and also handed a list, too, to Col. Dada for him to be in the know of the things donated by the Indians.

“We only pray to the Almighty God that as you all endeavor to do your work that God will guide, protect and save all of you,” he stated.

Colonel Dada, AFL

Also speaking, Col. Dada of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) thanked the Foreign Minister and Mr. Jeety; adding: “We are in this fight together with the nurses and doctors. We will ensure that we assist them in any way possible to make their jobs much easier.” He promised to convey to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia the 100 bags of rice that the Indians had given.

Dr. Jerry Brown

Also speaking, Dr. Brown, who now heads the medical team at the 14 Military Hospital, thanked Mr. Jeety and the Indian Community.

“It is not about the money for which the staff has decided to come here, but it is about ensuring that we all work together to restore peace and sanity in our country. As long as Corona continues to exist in our communities, neighborhood, in our country there won’t be peace.”

Dr. Brown, who was one of those who were on the frontline battling the deadly Ebola virus disease, appealed to every Liberian to adhere to all the health protocols.

“As you have come with these gifts, we have one passionate appeal to all Liberians. Please note that the coronavirus exists. If you have been doubting it, please know that it is in Liberia. Please adhere to those safety measures: social distancing is very important, washing your hands is very important, avoid large crowd. That is the only way we can all work together to prevent corona from spreading further.” He warned that if Liberians do otherwise, there will be many deaths and a long way to go.

Thanking Pres. Weah

He also used the occasion to thank the President for his vision to construct the facility that is now being used to host those who have come down so far with the virus.

“Had he not been visionary enough, today there would have been difficult have a site to attend to corona patients,” he said.

Update on Patients

Giving updates on the 26 confirmed persons who he and others are now looking after, he thanked God that his patients have all been stable and none has had any critical complications so far that will require some sophisticated medical equipment like ventilation, oxygen, etc.

He, however, appealed for those pieces of medical equipment that are needed at the 14 Military Hospital. He stated that efforts are being made by partners to supply them with those essentials pieces of equipment.

He controversially said those who have died as a result of the virus, “are those who refused to come for care when they were sick.”       

Items Donated

Among the 45 items presented to Dr. Brown and others were 100 cartons of Nice Biscuits, 10 cartons Digestive Biscuits, 100 cartons tissue, 200 cartons soap and 50 cartons Clora bleach. The Indians also presented 50 pieces of Hospital Folding Beds, 50 pieces Elegance single mattresses, 50 pieces pillows, 50 pieces bed sheets with pillow covers, five bails of Nursing Uniforms, one piece of LG Electric washer and one piece of LG Electric Dryer among others.

Monrovia – Some residents of ‘Lovers’ Street in the Old CID Road Community up Mamba Point have expressed fear to FrontPageAfrica that no health workers have gone into their community to begin contact tracing following the news that the former Liberian diplomat to Qatar, Ambassador John Ballout, has tested positive.

According to one of the residents, who wants his identity kept, Amb. Ballout lives just few houses from him in the same community, which is where the old MSF Hospital is located.

Speaking to this newspaper after he had read from our website that Amb. Ballout, who is also a former Senator of Maryland County, has tested positive with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Cov-II or Covid-19, stated he is yet to see any contact tracers in the community; adding: “This is making me scary.”

He is not a very friendly man; he passes before our houses sometime when he is strolling. He lives up the road from my place. No health worker has come to my house, which is very close to where he lives

Our source

“He is not a very friendly man; he passes before our houses sometime when he is strolling. He lives up the road from my place. No health worker has come to my house, which is very close to where he lives,” our source said.

He further described Sen. Ballout’s fence and some of those, who live very close to his home. “He lives in the second fence after the plum tree in the distance. Before him in the first fence is group of Lebanese merchants and after him towards the Old CID Road in another fence are Fulani’s. Opposite him are residents of some Lebanese, H. Boimah Fahnbulleh’s Liberian People’s Party’s Headquarters and the Fahnbulleh’s House and another group of Lebanese residents.

Responding, Mr. Chestor Smith, Communications Officer of the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL), said he had “personally” taken five contact tracers to the community to do tracing on Tuesday, April 7.

Ballout Breaks the News

Sen. Ballout disclosed to FrontPageAfrica on Wednesday, April 8, that he was at the 14 Military Hospital in quarantine after he tested positive with the deadly Covid-19. 

He told this newspaper in a self-voluntary telephone call that he wants everyone to know that coronavirus is real that is why he was coming out willingly to break the news of him coming down with the virus.

He also informed that he had voluntarily driven to the testing center when he felt uncomfortable and his test was done and result came back positive.

Asked if he knew how he might have come in contact with the virus, he told this newspaper that he hasn’t left Liberia in several months so he can’t say for show.

Before now, Sen. Ballout’s name had not been mentioned or disclosed by the authorities. They have disclosed several other names of individuals who have come down with the virus.

Current Covid-19 Cases

According to NPHIL, Liberia now has 31 confirmed cases with 24 active cases, four deaths and three recoveries, including the index case. Also there are 10 suspected cases.