By: Jerromie S. Walters
Grand Bassa County District#3 Representative Matthew Joe, has called on members of the House of Representative, to augment the budget of the Liberian Government Hospital in
Buchanan City. Grand Bassa County, to an appreciable amount that would make the hospital to function fully.
According to a communication read at the 1st say sitting of the first quarter of the House of Representatives, the Grand Bassa County Lawmaker said the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan City is considered a referral hospital because it addresses the health care not only of Grand Bassa County, but for other counties, to include: Rivercess, River Gee and Sinoe respectively, as such, he believes there’s a cardinal need to ensure that it is fully functional.
“It can be recalled that the referral hospital was gutted by fire in 2018, 2019 and 2022, thereby causing colossal damage to the health facility. As a result of the fire disaster, five (5) generators, mortuary, laundry, kitchen, and the outpatient department were all destroyed,” he referenced.
He further propounded that few weeks ago, citizens of the county voluntarily donated over (155) gallons of fuel to the hospital.
The Lawmaker said the donation was stemmed from a public service call made on Ablee-jay- a community radio, that several individuals were under oxygen and that the generator was running out of fuel.
“Based on this urgent call, and the love for humanity, our citizens hurriedly rushed to the hospital and donated over (155) gallons of fuel, he added.
He continued, “Hon. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, Considering the challenges of the county’s only referral hospital, I earnestly implore my colleagues to augment the budget of the hospital to an appreciable amount that would make the hospital to function fully.
Representative Matthew Joe also noted that the current amount in the (2023 draft budget) for the hospital is (US$ 110,000) which is a drop in the bucket,” he said.
He said in order for the hospital to function at its full potential, there is an appealing need for increment.
Arguing the matter among other Lawmakers, Maryland County District #1 Representative Mike Jurry asserted that he could only vote on the matter, if government is willing to do same with other hospitals across the country.
He said hospitals across the countries are affected by similar challenge, so if the Legislature will decide to look into it, it should be seen from a broad perspective.
Following Representative Matthew Joe’s communication, the House of Representatives mandated its Ways, Means, and Finance committee to review the budget of the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County and report within a period of two weeks.
