By: Rufus Bob Dorliea, Nimba D-9 TV and VOYM 99.1FM
Edited & Posted by: Edmund C. Gbarwee, Nimba D-9 TV Public Health Reporter, ceo@onenimbahouse.com, nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com, +231778070604
Zekepa, Nimba, Liberia: – In the heart of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District, the Zekepa Health Center, and Maternal Waiting Home stand as vital pillars of the community’s healthcare system. Serving three administrative districts—Blinlon, Mehnsonnoh, and Zehnla—this health center is crucial for the well-being of citizens of Nimba County’s Electoral District Nine, which includes Doe and Gbi & Doru districts and beyond.
The Zekepa Health Center not only provides general medical services but also hosts a Maternal Waiting Home that accommodates over 65 pregnant women monthly. The center facilitates at least 60 deliveries each month, yet it operates without an ambulance. In cases of complications, expectant mothers are transported via motorbike to either Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center or Jackson F. Doe Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita. Given the deteriorating condition of the bridge that links this health center to the rest of the district, every journey is fraught with peril, posing a potential death sentence in emergencies.
This bridge is more than just a crossing; it is a lifeline for the community. It is a critical route for residents of Nimba County Electoral District Six and travelers from the southeastern parts of Liberia, facilitating access to Bong County and beyond. Rehabilitated by the late Prof. Rep. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, this bridge also serves students attending Zekeh Memorial High School and P. Z. Gwaikolo Elementary School, located just across it.
The urgency of rehabilitating this bridge cannot be overstated. Rufus Bob Dorlea, a reporter for Nimba D-9 TV and VOYM 99.1FM, interviewed John Payzine, the Zekepa Development Chairman, to highlight the dire need for prompt action. Payzine underscored the bridge’s significance, not just for healthcare access, but for the overall connectivity and safety of the community.
“The state of the bridge is a critical concern,” Payzine emphasized. “In emergencies, every second counts, and this bridge could mean the difference between life and death for our people. Its rehabilitation is not just a matter of convenience but a matter of survival. An engineer estimated the cost to be US$4,000”
The call to action is clear: the bridge connecting Zekepa Health Center and Zekeh Memorial High School must be rehabilitated immediately. It is a plea for the safety, health, and future of the entire district, a call that must be heeded before tragedy strikes.
