The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted May 11, 2004

In its strive to help rebuild Liberia, the United States Department of Defense has begun dedicating several clinics constructed under its humanitarian assistance project in the country.

Over the weekend, the Office of the Military Attache at the U.S Embassy dedicated several clinics in Monrovia and other parts of Liberia including Margibi, Bong, Bassa, Montserrado, Sinoe and Bomi counties.

Yesterday, in continuation of the dedication ceremony, the U.S Department of Defense’s 10- bedroom clinic constructed in Wilson Corner Displaced Camp was dedicated and turned over to residents of the Wilson Corner community for their use.

According to the Operation Coordinator for Defense in the office of the Military Attache at the U.S Embassy near Monrovia, Mr. Robert Ferguson, funds provided for the construction of the 9 clinics in the country is part of the U.S Department of Defense (DOD) humanitarian assistance for Liberia. The estimated cost of the 9 clinics project is put at US$750,000.

Mr. Ferguson said while it is true that Liberia’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S Department of Defense have no bilateral agreement, the latter deems it necessary to undertake the clinics project as its own way of helping Liberians to have good health as they go about to reconstruct their country.

He said the construction of the clinics in Monrovia and other parts of the country was done in consultation with the residents of the areas, adding “the people provided us the land for the construction of the clinics.”

Mr. Ferguson disclosed that the clinic built in Tubmanbrug, Bomi County, has been completed and is expected to be dedicated in the middle part of May, 2004.

The clinics are expected to be run by medical INGOs and church-related institutions. The International Medical Corps (IMC) will run the Wilson Corner clinic.

Speaking at the dedication of the Wilson Corner clinic, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Duane Sams said the building of the clinics around the country is one of the many ways the United States government is helping Liberians to rebuild their native land.

Mr. Sams lauded the U.S Department of Defense for the project, while calling on residents and IDPs of Wilson Corner to make good use of the clinic as the embassy stands ready to undertake meaningful projects that will become beneficial to Liberians.

For her part, Mrs. Doris Wilson thanked the U.S. government on behalf of the residents and IDPs of Wilson Corner for the construction of the clinic, noting that words are inadequate to express her happiness and gratitude to the Americans. She also extended open hands to IMC for taking over the newly constructed clinic valued at US$60,000, adding “we are ready to work with and stand by you as you cater to our health needs in this community”.