X-ray results indicate that a number of children in Liberia are swallowing newly minted Liberian five- and ten-dollar coins released by the Central Bank of Liberia, raising health implications.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah (contributor)
Monrovia, Liberia, November 13, 2024 – A Liberian X-ray technician is alarmed by a trend of a significant number of children swallowing newly introduced 5 and 10 Liberian dollar coins.
According to the technician, coins have been appearing frequently in X-rays of children who have ingested metallic currency and been taken to medical facilities for treatment.
This alarming discovery is sparking growing concern among medical professionals and parents alike, as the ingestion of coins might lead to serious health risks, including choking, internal injury, or damage to the digestive system and other organs of the body.
The introduction of the new coins, which are smaller than their predecessors, may have made them more appealing to children, increasing the likelihood of accidental swallowing. The Central Bank of Liberia reintroduced these coins in September 2022, and they are causing serious health concerns after reports emerged of children swallowing them.
Speaking in Monrovia, Jackson Coleman, a concerned X-ray technician, raised a disturbing alarm about the growing number of children swallowing the newly introduced 5 and 10-Liberian dollar coins.
In an interview with Truth FM Tuesday, Coleman disclosed that the number of incidents exceeded 58, with a significant rise in cases he handled personally.
According to him, he alone has addressed 28 of these cases, with 12 children requiring surgery after ingesting the coins.
He says while the situation is concerning, several other doctors across the nation are also involved in similar operations, dealing with the growing number of cases of children swallowing coins.
Coleman notes that the issue is not isolated to his own practice but has become widespread, with medical professionals nationwide now addressing the health risks posed by the coins.
“Since the coins were reintroduced into the market, this issue has been growing, and it is becoming very concerning,” he alarms.
As the number of cases continues to rise, health workers are being called upon to respond quickly to such emergencies, including surgeries to remove the coins. The collective involvement of multiple doctors across Liberia underscores the severity of the situation, prompting both medical and public health experts to push for greater awareness and preventative measures to protect children from potential dangers of ingesting these small, attractive coins.
Amid these growing concerns, parents are urged to be extra vigilant and ensure that these coins, which have become more common in daily transactions, are kept out of reach of children.
Although the Central Bank of Liberia is yet comment on the situation, there is a call for both public awareness campaigns and potential adjustments to the coin’s design or size to minimize the risks posed to children.
The 5 and 10 Liberian dollar coins are part of a new series of coins issued by the Central Bank of Liberia as part of a currency reform. The coins are made of nickel-plated steel and feature a latent image security feature.
The new coins are smaller and lighter than the previous coins used prior to the Liberian Civil War and were designed to be durable for daily transactions. Editing by Jonathan Browne
