The Bensonville health center, located about twenty kilometers east of Monrovia, faces many challenges despite the shock caused by the Ebola epidemic in 2014. During a guided tour of the structure , it quickly becomes evident that the lack of equipment is a major obstacle for medical staff. Consultations only take place three times a week and essential medicines are often lacking. Doctors are often forced to send patients to buy their own medications.
One of the few achievements of the Ebola crisis is the presence of two freezers for vaccines, offered by Unicef. Unfortunately, these freezers are the only equipment the health center has, despite occasional support from the government to assess needs. Tenneh Brochius, the head of the structure, points out that while the government generally provides medicines against malaria, essential medicines are often lacking.
Another major challenge facing the health center is the lack of qualified staff. Since the Ebola outbreak, only 17% of health personnel have been trained, raising concerns among professionals in the sector. They demand continuing training to deal with different illnesses and their specificities.
In addition to material problems and a lack of qualified personnel, the Bensonville health center also faces logistical obstacles. Consultations are free, making it difficult to charge a consultation fee. In addition, the state of the roads makes the distribution of medicines sometimes complicated, even if supplies are available in central Monrovia.
Faced with these challenges, the Liberian Ministry of Health has proposed a law aimed at improving medical coverage in the country. However, it is clear that more efforts are needed to ensure quality health care for all Liberians.
Overall, it is evident that the Bensonville Health Center, like many other health facilities in Africa, faces many challenges in terms of resources, staffing and logistics. It is crucial that health authorities take concrete steps to improve the situation and ensure access to quality health care for all citizens of Liberia.