In Bopolu, Gbarpolu County Pres. Weah officially dedicates Modern 100- Bed Emirates Hospital

It was a sign of relieve and jubilation for citizens of Western Liberia, when President Dr.  George Weah on Wednesday,  December 28, 2022 officially  dedicated a modern 100- Bed Emirates Hospital in Bopulu, City, Gbarpolu County.

The construction and subsequent dedication of the hospital is in fulfillment of the Government of Liberia’s Flagship Program, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

The PAPD development model, among other things, considers the expansion and modernization of the Country’s health sector a top and compelling priority.

The Emirates Hospital is the goodwill and political dividend realized from the strong bilateral relations between the Liberian Government and the United Arab Emirates.

“This is why there have been consistent increases and add-ons to the operational budgets for already-existing hospitals, in order to provide the equipment and trained staff required for the delivery of critically-needed services,’’ Dr. Weah told the gathering at the official dedicatory ceremony.

The Liberian leader said as his government strives to improve the health sector by training healthcare workers both at home and abroad, and by providing free medical education in public health training institutions, such as the Medical School and the School of Pharmacy, his administration is committed to creating access to health infrastructures by constructing more new health facilities in under-served communities.

As a means of further improving the sector, he disclosed that his Government is currently finalizing talks with its good friends in the United Arab Emirates for additional structures of the same nature to be built in other parts of the country.

The goal, he pointed out,  is to ensure access and affordability, as his government exerts more effort to improve quality healthcare.

The Liberian Chief Executive bragged that the dedication of the modern Emirates Hospital is another demonstration of the commitment he has always voiced to help to improve the living condition of his people, regardless which part of the country they may be.

The modern state-of-the-art medical facility covers more than 52,000 (fifty-two thousand) square feet, and is almost entirely powered by solar energy.

The new health facility also contains 100-bed capacity for inpatients, several operating theatres, a modern laboratory, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), various specialized departments including other facilities that set it apart from other hospitals in the country.

President Weah pointed out that the ceremony also marks an important milestone for the people of the Western Region of Liberia.

”  It is a well-known fact that, historically, Gbarpolu County has been one of the Counties with limited access to health care. The  construction and commissioning of the Emirates Hospital here today will not only help the people of Gbarpolu to have access to quality health care, but will enable the surrounding Counties (Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Bong), as well as some parts of Lower Lofa, to benefit from better health care,” he added.

The new health facility,  the President noted, will even encourage some citizens of Sierra Leone, who are close to the Liberian border in Kongba District, to seek medical care here in Liberia.

Additionally, the President mentioned that Gbarpolu County hosts other foreign nationals who are involved in the gold and diamond industries located in the county, and they too will also be able to seek world-class medical care at the New Emirates State of the Art Hospital, which is a well-equipped health facility.

He used the occasion to   appreciate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for what he described as his profound act of humanitarian generosity to the People of Liberia.

“I would also like to thank him for the very high level of representation that he has sent to grace this occasion on his Government’s behalf, led by His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, and including Her Excellency Dr. Aysha Sultan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of the Military Health Services of the UAE Army, among others.  Your Excellences, thank you for coming to Liberia to share this historic moment with us.  You are very welcomed !,” he intoned.

The inauguration of the Emirates Hospital,   President Weah emphasized,   is a further manifestation of his  Government’s commitment to improving the quality of health services in Liberia by expanding health coverage to the rural population of Liberia.

The newly dedicated  Emirates Hospital in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County   now brings to a total of three entirely new hospitals that have been built and opened during President Weah’s  Administration.

They are  Gbandeya Hospital, River Cess, 14 Military Hospital, Margibi; and now Emirates Hospital, Gbarpolu respectively.

He reflected that when he first stopped in Gbarpolu County more than a year ago during his Citizens Engagement County Tour, it was easy to spot the historical deficit that Gbarpolu County has suffered in infrastructure and healthcare.

“It was therefore never a difficult decision to choose Gbarpolu as the location for this hospital complex and it is my hope that we can now have an adequate number of trained staff to man this excellent facility,” President Weah asserted.

The Liberian leader was also quick to commend the Management and Staff of Intbox Global Building Contracting LLC, Dubai, UAE, the construction company that built this facility in only 14 months from groundbreaking, in spite of the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and its sub-contractor, Horizon Construction Company of Equatorial Guinea. 

GBARPOLU COUNTY, LIBERIA-The people of western Liberia stand to benefit from a modern health facility soon, following the dedication of Emirates Hospital by President George Weah today Wednesday in Bopolu, Gbarpolu County.

The hospital is expected to serve the people of Gbarpolu County and other western counties and beyond, amid Liberia’s health challenges.

An Executive Mansion statement said the construction and subsequent dedication of the hospital is in fulfillment of the Government of Liberia’s Flagship Program, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

The PAPD development model, among other things, considers the expansion and modernization of the Country’s health sector a top and compelling priority.

According to the statement, the Emirates Hospital is the goodwill and political dividend realized from the strong bilateral relations between the Liberian Government and the United Arab Emirates.