Liberia
GHM in Liberia
GHM has partnered with the Lutheran Church in Liberia through two civil wars that devastated the country, leaving their economy and infrastructure in ruins. Our focus has been on rebuilding and supporting two Lutheran Hospitals, Phebe and Curran, both of which suffered severe damage during the war. Both hospitals also played vital roles in fighting Ebola. Today Phebe and Curran Hospitals are important health facilities for Liberia, and both include training programs for health professionals.
Medical equipment and supplies sent in GHM containers are essential for these hospitals, helping them build their capacity to serve surrounding communities. We ship large items like laboratory and diagnostic equipment accompanied by basic medical supplies, which work together to help empower affordable quality care for all. Today, GHM’s partnership in Liberia also reaches over a dozen rural clinics and multiple schools of nursing.
Both Lutheran hospitals integrate outreach programs that promote health in their communities through health education, prenatal care, vaccines and more. These community outreach programs played a critical role in changing social behavior during the Ebola crisis. It was a huge success story as people discovered what they could do to prevent the spread of the disease. Such outreach remains the most effective way of improving health in every nation.
Data from WHO, and The World Bank
Meet Tarwaiyea
Tarwaiyea is about 11 years old, and lives with his father and aunt in Kaya-Ta, a small village about 11 miles from Phebe Hospital in central Liberia. The ground is steep in places, uneven and rocky - a special challenge as Tarwaiyea grows because he has to be carried everywhere. From birth, he has not been able to walk. During Phebe’s community outreach to Kaya-Ta, Tarwaiyea’s aunt found Dr. Ricks, Phebe’s Medical Director, to ask if anything could be done for her nephew. Dr. Ricks brought him to the hospital where he underwent multiple tests and began treatment for malaria. He also was given a wheelchair. For the first time Tarweiyea will not have to be carried everywhere - a blessing for him and his family! The donated wheelchair had arrived at Phebe in the most recent GHM container.
