Citizens of Pleebo Sodoken District Call for Upgrade of Health Centre into Fully Equipped Referral Hospital

By Christian Appleton

November 14 2024

Pleebo, Maryland County – As the population of Pleebo Sodoken District continues to grow, residents and local leaders are raising urgent calls for the transformation of the Pleebo Comprehensive Health Center into a fully equipped referral hospital. With over 29,000 people depending on its
services, the current facility is struggling to meet the rising healthcare demands.

The call for an upgrade was made by Pleebo City Mayor, Hon. Larry Geekor, during an exclusive interview on Wednesday at his Pleebo office. Mayor Geekor stressed the importance of the health center in supporting the county’s only referral hospital, JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper, but emphasized that it is no longer adequate for the district’s expanding population.

“The Pleebo Comprehensive Health Center is the primary health facility in the district, but it is facing significant challenges due to the increasing number of people who depend on it,” said Mayor Geekor. He noted that with proper
upgrades, the health center could alleviate the pressure on JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital, which is currently overwhelmed by the influx of patients from across the southeast region.

The plea for improvement was echoed by Garrison Sayor, the administrator of the Pleebo Comprehensive Health Center, who spoke with this platform via mobile phone on Wednesday. Mr. Sayor outlined the dire need for key medical
resources, particularly a surgical theatre and a blood bank, which are critical to providing comprehensive care.

“Without these essential services, we are unable to offer full-scale medical procedures like surgeries to the people of Pleebo,” Sayor said, highlighting the strain on the health center’s capacity to handle more complex cases. The lack of these facilities forces many patients to be referred to Harper’s JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital, which is already struggling to keep up with the demand for services.

Despite the efforts of the dedicated staff at the Pleebo Comprehensive Health Centre, the facility’s limited resources have become a growing challenge. Currently staffed with only two medical doctors, the center lacks critical infrastructure that would enable it to fully serve the needs of the local population.

The administrator also took the opportunity to express gratitude to Partners in Health Liberia for their ongoing support, which has helped alleviate some of the pressures faced by the facility. However, Sayor stressed that without a
significant upgrade, the center will remain inadequate for the growing health needs of the district.

In recent months, the administration of JJ Dossen Hospital, the region’s primary referral hospital, has also voiced concerns about its capacity. Mrs. Julia Natt Doe, the hospital’s administrator, has highlighted severe
overcrowding, particularly in the obstetrics, medical, surgical, emergency, and pediatric wards. She revealed that the hospital is currently unable to accommodate the surge of patients, forcing some to sleep on the floor due to a lack of available beds.

“This shortage is embarrassing and worrisome. It needs an urgent response,” said Madam Doe. JJ Dossen Hospital, as the only referral hospital in the southeast, serves not only Maryland County but also neighboring counties such as Grand Kru and River Gee, as well as patients from nearby
regions in Ivory Coast.

Both the administrators of Pleebo Comprehensive Health Center and JJ Dossen Hospital are calling on the national government and the Ministry of Health to prioritize the upgrade of Pleebo’s health facility. Upgrading the health
center to a fully equipped referral hospital would not only improve local healthcare delivery but also reduce the burden on JJ Dossen Hospital, ultimately improving access to essential medical services across the entire southeastern region.

Local residents, healthcare professionals, and community leaders are united in their call for action, hoping that their plea will prompt the necessary support to address the growing healthcare challenges in Pleebo Sodoken District and beyond.

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