Liberia: PIH Donates Over US$14K Medical Supplies to Tanker Blast Victims

Partners in Health (PIH) Liberia has donated medical supplies worth over US$14,000 to the Ministry of Health and the Incident Management Team in response to the fuel tanker explosion disaster in Totota, Bong County. 

Presenting the items on Tuesday, January 9, at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, PIH Executive Director Maxo Luma, said the donation aims to support the government’s efforts in providing necessary care to the victims of the incident.

Dr. Maxo Luma, Partners in Health Liberia Executive Director, expressed condolences to the families affected by the fuel tanker explosion. He also appreciated the Minister of Health, Wilhelmina S. Jallah, for her leadership during the crisis.

“PIH Liberia would like to support the remediation and aftermath of the event in any way we can,” Luma said. “To buttress your efforts during these difficult times, please accept our donation of medical consumables valued at US$14,657.

PIH is also exploring the possibility of providing mental health support, as well as collaborating with the Ministry of Health’s surgical team.

Minister Jallah expressed gratitude for PIH's continued support and highlighted the importance of medical supplies in addressing the needs of patients in various hospitals. She said that the medical supplies donated by PIH will be used to support the ongoing care and treatment of the victims. 

“So with this gesture, we know that it is just part of your usual support for the people of Liberia,” the Minister said. “There are so many things that PIH is doing for us. We cannot name them all today. We only want to say thank you to the PIH family for their continued support.”

The Minister disclosed that the supplies will be distributed among hospitals, including the 14 Military Hospital, ELWA Hospital, Catholic Hospital, JFK, Phebe Hospital, and Totota Hospital.

The Minister emphasized that the donated supplies will significantly contribute to the ongoing efforts to provide medical and surgical care to the victims.

She also mentioned the challenges faced by those with severe burns and the need for specialized treatment and skin grafts. According to her, some victims, especially those with minor burns, are recovering. However, there are others with major burns, covering their entire bodies.

PIH joined the international response to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia in 2014, and since then has been focused on building a resilient healthcare system by delivering comprehensive services and addressing the root causes of disease.

The organization works closely with the Ministry of Health to develop policies, coordinate health financing, build the health workforce, and mobilize resources. The organization‘s commitment to Liberia is long-term, intending to improve healthcare access, utilization and quality, particularly for vulnerable populations.

It is, however, expected that the donation of medical supplies by PIH reinforces their dedication to supporting the healthcare needs of the country and their ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health to ensure progress and improved healthcare outcomes for all Liberians.