Afrigather 
The present COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola virus illness are simply two of the main shocks that Liberia’s well being system has skilled. Classes from these public well being occasions have proven how vital it’s to create resilient well being techniques with an environment friendly service supply element for higher well being outcomes.
Liberia has efficiently put in its largest oxygen plant on Bushrod Island, positioned on the Star Base facility, with assist from WHO, the governments of Germany, the USA, and Canada.
Talking throughout the commissioning occasion of the plant, His Excellency President George Weah described the ability as a significant milestone for the well being sector in guaranteeing high quality well being care to Liberian communities—reaching the final mile.
“It is a reaffirmation of my administration’s dedication to carry extra well being providers to our communities, as we try to extend entry to common well being protection and defend the inhabitants from public well being threats below the Professional Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Growth (PAPD).”
The Liberian chief couldn’t conceal his pleasure over the unimaginable strides the nation is making on COVID-19 vaccination and thanked all Liberians for cooperating with the federal government and adhering to well being protocols.
“Our journey in the direction of constructing herd immunity in opposition to the pandemic can be in full swing. Liberia is profitable the battle on this entrance; with the vaccination protection reported as being above 76%; inserting our nation within the third place on the African continent,” stated President Weah.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Clement Peter, WHO Liberia Consultant, was grateful to the Liberian authorities for prioritizing well being for all, and now the nation has a excessive – capability Medical Strain Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plant that may produce 100 cylinders per day at 93% purity, an improve from the established order.
“Many nations, together with Liberia, felt the demand of oxygen and ICUs throughout the 2020/2021 COVID-19 waves. Different medical circumstances that wanted oxygen had been barely prioritized because of its shortage, leading to added danger of opposed outcomes. Certainly, we confronted an unforgettable battle between life and demise on account of oxygen shortage, ” narrated Dr. Peter.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Mr. Neils Scott, congratulated President Weah on the good achievement and progress made in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID-19, as everyone knows, is unpredictable, and so it requires collective and sustained efforts to drastically decrease its impact on our well being, our financial system, and our survival. As we stand right here, the progress we see offers us hope for the long run. The pandemic has taught us that investing within the well being system have to be on the centre of improvement. Well being is a prerequisite; it’s a gateway to safety, peace, and prosperity,” stated Mr. Scott.
In his conclusion, he reaffirmed the UN’s dedication to the Liberian folks in guaranteeing nobody is left behind.
Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, the Minister of Well being, acknowledged that the ability will deal with the nation’s long-standing concern of insufficient oxygen provide in main hospitals. The medicinal oxygen provided by the Star Base Plant, in keeping with Dr. Jallah, might be useful for sufferers who’ve surgical operations, bronchial asthma, or are in any other case unable to breathe; medical oxygen is a life-saving commodity.
“As all of us say, water is life, however I’ll say oxygen is life as a result of once you want oxygen and it isn’t there-then you might be no extra. This plant is the biggest within the nation and can serve virtually two million folks given its manufacturing capability “, stated Dr. Jallah.
The Well being Minister additionally applauded the WHO, the federal government of Germany, the USA, Canada and different companions for supporting the challenge. In attendance had been cupboard Ministers, Chairs of well being committees within the Senate and Home of Representatives, Senior Authorities officers, Conventional leaders and improvement companions. In 2020–2021, the Ministry of Well being, with help from companions, performed an evaluation of the oxygen era, provide, and distribution capability in Liberia to assist COVID–19 preparedness and response. The evaluation revealed vital gaps within the system as Liberia solely had 3 operational oxygen vegetation with a day by day manufacturing capability of 30–40 cylinders. A single affected person in want of oxygen remedy throughout the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic required a minimum of 15 liters of oxygen day by day, which meant solely 3/4 severely sick sufferers benefited from the oxygen generated in a day. The federal government and companions acknowledged this as a significant hole, which led to the creation of a plan to extend medical oxygen manufacturing, supply, and use in Liberia.
WHO supported the renovation of a constructing to function a shed for the plant, a coaching centre for well being staff, the development of a 665 perimeter fence, a generator home, and the procurement and set up of a 150KVA generator at Star Base. All this has been attainable with assist from the governments of Germany, the USA of America and Canada. Moreover, the USA authorities can be supporting the World Well being Group (WHO) by USAID with the institution of one other oxygen plant in Bomi County, which when accomplished will provide oxygen to medical amenities in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties.
