Ganta, Nimba County—The Ganta United Methodist Hospital, along with Esther and Jereline hospitals and the Ganta Rehab Center, is facing imminent collapse due to a significant lack of funding from both the national government and international donors. With financial support cut off completely, normal operations at these health facilities have been severely disrupted.
By Franklin Doloquee/Franklindoloquee@ frontpageAfricaonline.com/0776371515/0886696939
Over one million people in Nimba County, as well as in neighboring regions of Guinea and Ivory Coast, are left in a precarious situation due to the financial challenges faced by the Ganta United Methodist Hospital, the only major private referral hospital in the area.
Mr. Paul M. Guanue, the Human Resource Manager and Acting Administrator of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital, informed Front Page Africa that the hospital has been unable to pay its medical staff for the past three months.
While some hospital staff received payment for September, doctors have yet to receive any compensation, a situation he attributes to dwindling financial support from Methodist churches worldwide as well as the local and national government.
Historically, the government provided $300,000 in annual financial assistance to the hospital during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. However, this amount was slashed to $50,000 during President George Weah’s administration, aggravating the hospital’s financial struggles.
Mr. Guanue emphasized that the hospital currently lacks essential supplies such as medications, electricity, and even ambulances.
“If the national government and other stakeholders do not intervene soon, the Ganta United Methodist Hospital may be forced to shut its doors, limiting access to medical care for countless residents,” Mr. Guanue warned.
Adding to the crisis, the Ganta Rehab Center, another key healthcare facility, has also struggled without ambulances and has recently reduced its workforce due to financial constraints.
In a reflection of the dire situation, many residents and patients are now appealing to President Joseph Boakai and the international community for urgent intervention to address the critical funding shortages that threaten healthcare access for thousands in the region.
The history of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital dates back to the 1930s, when Methodist missionary Dr. George Harley established the hospital and school with substantial support from Methodist churches globally.
However, recent controversies regarding the church’s stance on same-sex marriage have led to a withdrawal of financial support, further exacerbating the hospital’s plight.
As the situation unfolds, the community remains on edge, with their health and well-being hanging in the balance.
