The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Peace Home Medical Center (PHMC) Incorporated, Dr. Joseph T. Boakai, has underscored the need for the government to provide medical subsidy to private clinics in Liberia.
Dr. Boakai stated that subsidizing private clinics will go a long way in strengthening the health needs of the citizenry.
He made the appeal Wednesday in an interview with Hot Pepper in Paynesville, outskirts of Monrovia. He noted that the health system still remains challenged since the Ebola viral disease exposed its weakness.
According to him, there is a need for international partners in the health sector to revamp the health system with advanced specialized trainings.
Dr. Boakai maintained that Liberia has qualified and competent medical doctors and good health workers, but the lack of adequate and relevant equipment is hindering the smooth function of their works at major health facilities across the country.
He indicated that PHMC, as a private clinic, has qualified and competent doctors and nurses, and has been operating since 2010 without any subsidy from the government or the Ministry of Health.
He pointed out that the government needs to heavily invest in the health sector to improve health facilities around the nation.
Dr. Boakai emphasized that private clinics play significant roles in the treatment of ordinary people in the society and buttressing government’s effort in meeting the health needs of the Liberian people in various communities, towns and villages.
According to him, providing health services in communities is cost-intensive, and without subsidies from government it is difficult to fully operate private clinics, noting that if the clinics are subsidized they will not allow the patients to go without treating them, whether money is available or not.
He noted that some patients go to his clinic without money for treatment, and the clinic has to treat them to safe their lives, according to the doctrine of medical practice.
Dr. Boakai acknowledged that despite the challenges confronting the health system, there has been improvement since the end of the Ebola era. However, he said, there is an urgent need to invest hugely in the health sector in Liberia.