Gompa, Rehab Nimba Liberia: – Hon. Samuel Brown, Nimba County Electoral District One (1) Representative, Dr. Willimina Jallah, Liberia Minister of Health and entourage ended a day long visit at Gompa Rehab where they were able to meet with health workers including patients who continue to call on national government for help something which of recent led the workers at the center to have a go-slow that prompted several patients unattended ended in blocking the main Gompa-Sanniquellie highway.
On September 13, 2022 Hon. Brown and Dr. Jallah visitation was predicated upon numerous of cries from the health workers assigned at the facility about their salary issues and lacked of medical and non-medical supplies in catering to patients suffering from several different conditions including buruli ulcer.
According to the workers, out of seventy (70) workers assigned at the center, only nine (9) or ten (10) are placed on government payroll something which prompted the workers to go-slow on August 23, 2022.
Speaking during their visitation, the workers union head, Martin Dolo lamented that there is no insurance, risk benefit, nor retirement benefits for contractors and he also stressed that there is no salary increment/ motivation including educational opportunities provided by Government for the workers.
He furthered maintained that several of their colleagues who got sick while on job contracts with the donors were terminated without getting anything.
“We are all here working and we don’t know what we working for, some of our friends have died without their family members benefiting anything. So we want to know our status as workers of this facility”, Dolo narrated during an interactive meeting with the Representative and the Health Minister.
For his part, The Nimba District #1 Representative Hon Samuel Brown promised to work with his colleagues at the Lower House so that Gompa Rehab Center can be included in the National Budget.
“Today I’m very happy to be here with the Health Minister, this is one of the happiest day of my life. She is the rightful person who supposed to address your plat but as for me, I will lobby with my colleagues so Gompa Rehab Center can be placed in the National Budget. Our people are suffering here, and government needs to cater to them. It is the government responsibility to provide quality health to its citizens” Said Hon Samuel Brown.
For her part, Dr Jallah cautioned the health workers to remain focus to their job as their concerns will be addressed.
“As long I am here, just considered you’re that your concerns are heard and the needful will be done, but it will take time because the document have to go from one office to another”. Dr Jallah said.
Gompa Rehabilitation Center treats many diseases including, Tuberculosis (TB), Leprosy, Buruli Ulcers, HIV and AIDS among others.
This one day visitation bought together stakeholders from the Gompa City Cooperation, The Nimba County Health Team, Dr. Keteh and other Doctors from the Ministry of Health.
The visitation of the two high profile government officials were marked by touring of the entire facility and the donation of medical & non-medical supplies to the Center.
By: Nyahn Flomo Jr
The One Nimba House Media Inc (Nimba D-9 TV)
Regional Coordinator
