In the wake of the country’s health delivery system continue decline over the years, an intervention by former Vice President and standard bearer of the main opposition and former ruling Unity Party (UP), Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai is at the rescue to save lives.
Mr. Boakai through his JNB Foundation in partnership with the Project C.U.R.E. based in the United States of America (USA) is expected to bring several forty-foot containers full of medications and medical equipment worth over millions of United States Dollars.
The donated health products and equipment are expected in the country following the completion of an assessment visit to Liberia by Project Cure’s Assessment Lead, Mr. Ezra Moss.
Project C.U.R.E. has grown to become the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies, equipment, and services to healthcare professionals in more than 135 countries. This is accomplished with the help of volunteers and donated medical equipment and supplies. Each year, Project C.U.R.E. ships approximately 200 40-foot cargo containers carrying between $350,000 – $400,000 worth of donated medical supplies and equipment to under-resourced hospitals, clinics, and community health centers in developing countries.
It could be recalled that during a visit to Arizona, USA in 2021, former VP Boakai met with authorities of Project C.U.R.E, where he presented Liberia’s case and the dire need for assistance in the health. It is on the outcome of that visit that Mr. Moss was sent to Liberia to do a need assessment of the country’s health sector so as to enable the organization know the pressing area(s) for intervention.
During his stay in Liberia, Mr. Moss visited health facilities in four counties; namely, Montserrado, Margibi, Bomi and Bong.
Speaking Tuesday, October 3, 2023 when he appeared on Punch FM on the completion of his visit to Liberia, the Project CURE official acknowledged the pressing needs of the country’s health sector that needs urgent intervention beginning with the facilities assessed.
According to him, support to the health sector would in turn help increase service delivery for the patients.
“We are in the country on the invitation of the JNB Foundation to do need assessment of the health sector. The discussion between our two organizations began two years ago; in 2021 when Mr. Boakai visited Arizona and met with our organization. This is a long time discussion but because of the covid pandemic that was raging at the time, we received lots of requests and so we were faced with many supply chain problems and that caused the delay,” said Mr. Moss.
“However, we are here and have done our assessment and identified where we need to make some interventions. During our assessment, we visit Bomi, Margibi and Bong and I saw many pressing needs of those facilities visited – they need microscopes, beds, gloves and supplies [medical]. With our donation, I think it will enhance service delivery for their patients,” he stated.
He disclosed that each of the containers expected is filled with an average donated drugs and equipment value at US$300,000 to US$400,000.
“Directly, the donation will be for the four facilities assessed and they could reach out to smaller facilities to assist them. We want to be fair with the process and the needs assessment is part of that. We want to make sure that what we send here is valuable and needed by the people,” Moss added.
