Rural Town Gets New Health Center in Grand Bassa County

District Four, Grand Bassa County – An International NGO, AmeriCares has collaborated with Grand Bassa County to modify a newly built clinic in Zondo, District Four – Grand Bassa County. The clinic was dedicated on Friday, September 9, and many locals in the area say it is what they’ve been longing for.

Over the years, towns in the area including the biggest town, Zondo, have complained about high maternal and new born deaths due to the lack of hospital. The area is very remote so people had to carry sick people in hammer for many hours before getting to the nearest health center located on the Liberian Agriculture Company’s plantation (several miles away), many locals in the area said.

“With this clinic at least we will be able to carry pregnant women who are ready to give birth when we are not able to deliver them,” said a traditional midwife, Watchine Kwannah.

The head of Grand Bassa Health Team (BaCHT), Dr. Joseph Kerkula described the clinic as a relief for people in the community and said BaCHT is happy to work with AmeriCares.

Over US$122,000 was spent on the clinic project from the county development fund before the NGO came in to help modify the structure.

AmeriCares’ Program Manager in the county, Servit Kassa said they focus on improving access to maternal and child health care services and will continue to support the clinic in providing quality services for mothers and children.

AmeriCares is working at three health centers in the county including the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan.

Paramount Chief Stephen Barlingar said the clinic is a victory for their community and he called on the community to help take ownership of the facility by also helping to maintain it.