The donation is the second batch of medicines handed over to the hospital by ArcelorMittal Liberia. The first donation was made on 25 November 2014. The medicines and supplies included antibiotics, analgesics, anti-malarial, IV fluids, anti-hypertensive, diuretics, hematinics, bronchodilators, blood bags and infusion sets, anti-helmintics and general materials such as needles, syringes and Foley’s catheters. The two donations combined are worth US$50,000.

Since the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease, ArcelorMittal Liberia has worked in close partnership with the Liberian government, NGOs and the county to find the best solutions for handling the outbreak, including improving conditions in the county’s healthcare system. Ample supply of drugs was identified as one of the priorities.

Chief health officer of Grand Bassa County, Dr. Joseph Kerkula, expressed his appreciation for the donation: “It is timely because the hospital is operating at full capacity as every department in the hospital is opening and running. The donation will help make the hospital efficient in dealing with other common sicknesses in the midst of the Ebola crisis.”

Commenting on the impact the drugs will have on the healthcare landscape of Grand Bassa County, Dr. Ben Abenic Kanwee, medical director of the ArcelorMittal Liberia Hospital, said that he expects the medications to make a huge difference as “they go to meet a great need in the county.” 

For his part, Ebenezer Zonoe of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s external affairs and corporate responsibility department stationed in Grand Bassa, said, “The donation is intended to support ongoing outpatient services and other curable sickness.”
 
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