Title: The continuing challenges of health centers in Liberia: lessons learned from the Ebola crisis
Introduction :
Liberia, already marked by the crisis of the Ebola epidemic in 2014, is now faced with the Covid-19 pandemic. This situation raises the question of whether lessons have been learned from previous crises, particularly with regard to hospital infrastructure. In this article, we travel to the Bensonville health center, about 20 kilometers east of Monrovia, to understand the persistent challenges it faces despite government efforts.
Lack of equipment and medicines:
At the Bensonville health center, the lack of medical equipment is a major challenge. Doctors and nurses face difficult working conditions, particularly due to the distance that separates them from essential medical resources. Lack of medication is also a common problem, sometimes forcing patients to obtain prescribed medications themselves.
Insufficiently trained staff:
Despite the Ebola crisis, which highlighted the need for a skilled health workforce, only 17% of health professionals in Liberia have been trained since then. This poses a major challenge for disease management, because each pathology has its specificities. Health professionals are calling for continuing training to be better prepared to deal with different conditions.
Difficulties related to prevention and distribution:
The country’s health authorities emphasize prevention, but face obstacles. Consultations are free, which makes it difficult to set fees to support health infrastructure. In addition, problems with drug supply and distribution in remote areas hinder patients’ access to necessary treatments.
Prospects for improvement:
Faced with these challenges, Liberia’s Ministry of Health has tabled a bill aimed at improving medical coverage in the country. This initiative aims to remedy the inadequacies of hospital infrastructure, strengthen the training of health personnel and facilitate access to essential medicines in the most remote areas.
Conclusion :
Despite lessons learned from the Ebola crisis, Liberia continues to face persistent challenges in its health centers. The lack of equipment and medicines, insufficiently trained staff and problems of prevention and distribution are all challenges to be overcome. However, government initiatives to improve health coverage offer hope for the future. It is crucial that continued efforts are made to provide quality health care to all Liberians.