Liberia’s floundering well being sector was in dire straits due, partially, to the low variety of medical doctors within the nation and fewer specialised ones—far under the World Health Organisation (WHO) advisable ratio of 1 physician to 1 thousand sufferers.
This hole exuded the necessity for the institution of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS) in 2013. Ever since, the school has educated and authorized 100 and ten (110) specialised medical doctors, together with the twenty-one medical doctors that have been just lately certificated on the faculty’s sixth convocation and Annual General and Scientific Meeting(AGSM) throughout a vibrant ceremony on the EJS Ministerial Complex on September 30.
This cohort of graduates had one home-grown psychiatrist, the primary within the historical past of the College. The 6th Convocation and AGSM have been held below the theme: “Innovations In Health Care” with sub-themes: “The Role Of Endoscopy In Healthcare” and “Minimal Invasive Procedures In Surgery”.
The President of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Prof. Benjamin Harris stated efforts are being made to mobilise assets to extend the variety of schools the school is presently working: inside drugs, paediatrics, normal surgical procedure, obstetrics/gynaecology; household drugs; ophthalmology, and psychiatry to incorporate anaesthesiology; neighborhood drugs, and radiology based mostly on current crucial wants.
“No longer will I be the lone ranger Liberian psychiatrist for over forty (40) years with the graduation of our inaugural class of one psychiatrist at the 6th convocation,” Harris identified.
He disclosed that the September 30, convocation and AGSM graduated specialists from seven (7) schools: paediatrics, 5; inside drugs, three; Obstetrics/Gynaecology, 4; normal surgical procedure, three, household drugs, three; ophthalmology, two; and psychiatry, one.
Additionally, the `LCPS President indicated that the school inducted 13 new fellows by elections in various disciplines.
He urged the federal government of Liberia by the Ministry of Health to see the necessity to enhance the salaries of the specialists commensurate with their {qualifications}.
“It is sad to note that doctors would spend several years of rigorous training and specialisation but yet continue to receive the same salary. The LCPS stands ready to work with the Ministry of Health, the Civil Service Agency, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to set up a salary structure for medical professionals,” he maintained.
Prof. Harris added that for the reason that launch of the LCPS fellowship program to enhance the inclusivity of extra Liberian school of the school for the aim of sustainability, about twenty purposes have been acquired for consideration, stressing “the postgraduate program has also received accreditation from regional sister colleges to commence a fellowship program.”
Prof. Harris appreciated the Liberian authorities for its help to the postgraduate program, with a reminder for elevated help to take care of this system.
“We urge the federal government of Liberia to do extra to help medical establishments in Liberia. We ask the federal government to launch a particular fund akin to the street fund to help medical schooling by setting apart a small quantity.
“I foresee that if drastic measures are not taken to alleviate the financial challenges in health education in the country, the system may subsequently crash. We will contact the Minister of Health and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to pursue this plea,” he emphasised.
The LCPS President then disclosed that plans are superior to lift the wanted assets to assemble a contemporary multipurpose advanced for the school. The undertaking, based on him, has gotten a serious increase with the donation of five-acres of land by the school’s founding president, Prof. Roseda E. Marshall.
In her remarks, the Secretary General of LCPS, Dr. Jeanetta Okay. Johnson, stated whereas the school is glad to be internet hosting, for the second time, its convocation on the ministerial advanced, it might be extra heartening if three to 5 years down the street, the school hosted these occasions in its personal facility.
For her half, Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, said that the school has come a good distance and there was a have to be pleased with its accomplishments, having overcome many challenges alongside this journey.
“We have come a long way from where we were when one would say I am the only one to where we are today. This is a proud moment for all of us,” she stated.
According to her, the theme of the 6th convocation and AGSM was applicable as a result of healthcare supply is advancing around the globe with know-how on the forefront. She sighed that, sadly, many nations, together with Liberia, are lagging behind.
Jallah said that the Government of Liberia, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank have began a efficiency based mostly financing program that might search to equip fourteen (14) counties in Liberia as a manner of addressing a few of the current challenges. She inspired the graduates to make the required suggestions for points of their assigned areas that want the financing scheme’s consideration.
In addition to that, the Liberian Minister of Health stated steps are being taken to assessment the wage construction of healthcare staff, from medical doctors to the bottom particular person within the sector, including that the Ministry of Health will work with the LCPS and different related establishments on this regard so as to keep away from any insinuation that the ministry unilaterally determined the salaries for healthcare staff within the nation.
She emphasised that whereas know-how is being inspired to enhance surgical and different superior care, healthcare professionals shouldn’t ignore the significance of main care, with out which, know-how would make no impression.
The sixth convocation witnessed the conferral of an honorary fellowship on Prof. David C. Henderson, Chief of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, for his large contribution to the LCPS psychiatry program and the healthcare sector of Liberia.
“I don’t understand how exactly I deserve such an honour, but I am very pleased. Healthcare in Liberia is changing for the better,” Prof. Henderson stated in response to his honorary fellowship within the LCPS school.
The Dr. Abraham Saah Borbor Lecture Series was offered by Dr. Lawrence Mombo Sherman, Dean of the A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, who known as for data sharing amongst healthcare practitioners about providers being offered at their services to avoid wasting sufferers the price of unwarranted abroad referrals.
Sherman inspired the graduates to be very skilled in doing the proper factor regardless of the circumstance.
He needs the Liberian authorities to provide critical consideration to investing in procuring gear as a result of the entire obtainable ones have been donated, which aren’t sufficient.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Madam Dama Yekeson Kofa stated the nation’s largest educating hospital has been an integral a part of the residency coaching program, with the hospital internet hosting six of LCPS’ seven schools. She proudly disclosed that greater than half of the medical doctors at JFK are merchandise of the LCPS program.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Representative Joseph Somwarbi assured the graduates and professionals within the healthcare sector of wage reclassification when the requisite request is made with the obtainable qualification.
USAID Liberia Mission Director, Jim Wright stated the United States authorities is pleased with Liberia’s accomplishment as the primary African nation to vaccinate greater than seventy p.c (70%) of its residents in opposition to Covid-19.
He appreciated Liberian healthcare staff for the work they do below troublesome circumstances and restricted assets.
Wright stated USAID will proceed to work by its Government-to-Government Partnership mechanism to strengthen the capability of County Health Teams, enhance the circumstances below which medical medical doctors’ work and supply them with the assets they should do their jobs.
The rapid previous President of LCPS and Country Representative of the West African College of Surgeons, Prof. Robert M. Kpoto nudged the graduates to the truth that they’d be working for strangers and the target is to make LCPS second to none.
There have been goodwill messages from the West African College of Surgeons; the West African College of Physicians; the National Postgraduate Medical Council of Nigeria; the World Health Organization; USAID; the World Bank and different companions. Press launch.
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