The healthcare delivery systems of Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties are poised to experience a major transformation and boost in quality service delivery with the construction of new facilities for the G.W. Harley in Sehyikimpa, and the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan − thanks to the significant support of ArcelorMittal Liberia in partnership with the government of Liberia.
In Nimba, the construction of a new facility in Sehyikimpa for the G.W. Harley Hospital is fast progressing with the elevation of several buildings. This development has been positively welcomed by the people of Nimba County and Liberia.
“We are happy for the construction of this big hospital in our home (town). It will help greatly in making sure that our people can receive quality medical care. This is the first big opportunity that has come to us, and we believe that it will bring about employment opportunity to prepared people in the medical area, though there will be some unskilled jobs that others will do as well,” said Chester Gentee, a resident of Sehyikimpa Town”.
The hospital will provide critical healthcare services to the community while also contributing to the development of the nation’s infrastructure.
In a recent interview, site supervisor, Patrick Quoi said the group constructing the health facility is on course with the work, pointing to three gigantic buildings that have been constructed with interior design underway for completion.
The buildings, Patrick said, are in different categories with each designed for a specific purpose. One of them, he said, is intended for emergency ward and it contains 38 rooms. The laboratory also has 38 rooms, and the MCHPID building intended for patients to reside also has a ward that contains 37 rooms. All three buildings have been plastered and the contracting group is preparing for tile laying, ceiling installation and other internal works.
Also expected to be erected are the Maternal Ward, the ICU and the Surgical building, which Patrick said will be the second phase of the project.
The construction of the new G.W. Harley hospital and the Liberia Government Hospital is part of a larger corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by ArcelorMittal Liberia, a strong partner in Liberia’s socio-economic development. The project in Nimba is being significantly funded by the company, which has committed USD$ 2 million out of the total project cost of USD 3.5 million. For the Buchanan hospital project, AML is providing USD 1.7million of the total project cost of USD 3.5 million.
“We are proud to contribute to the construction of the new public hospitals in Nimba and Bong Counties. As a company we’re deeply committed to the communities where we operate, this project reflects our dedication to improving public health and infrastructure for future generations,” said Eric Swen, Community Development Manager, ArcelorMittal Liberia.
This move comes at a time when Liberia’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, with many hospitals facing overcrowding, inadequate resources, and a shortage of medical professionals. In addition, the country’s rural areas remain underserved, with limited access to essential healthcare services. The new facilities will help alleviate some of these challenges by providing high-quality, affordable care to both urban and rural populations.
Prior to commencing the project, ArcelorMittal, in 2022, intervened by spending USD$41,451 to renovate the dilapidated roofs of the current G.W. Harley Hospital facilities, ending the leakage that hampered quality service delivery during the rainy season.
Late last year, AML donated huge consignments of essential medical supplies to the G.W. Harley Hospital and the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan and several local clinics in the two counties as a way of assisting those facilities to overcome some challenges they faced.
The company, also funded the construction of a community clinic in Gbapa, Nimba County and has remained supportive of government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Liberia.
The Construction of the new G.W. Harley Hospital in Sehyikimpa is going on simultaneously with the construction of the new Government Hospital in Buchanan Grand Bassa County.