By: James Myking Suah
Barclayville, Grand Kru County – May 12, 2025 – Dr. Learwellie P. Craig, the Chief Health Administrator of Grand Kru County, has issued a stark warning about a severe and prolonged shortage of functional ambulances in the region. He cautioned that this critical lack of emergency medical transportation, which has persisted for nearly two years, poses a significant threat of a health catastrophe if immediate action is not taken.
In a recent urgent statement, Dr. Craig underscored the grave health risks associated with the absence of reliable ambulance services, particularly for patients requiring timely and critical medical intervention. He emphasized that the inability to transport patients promptly could lead to preventable fatalities and a deterioration of health conditions across the county. Dr. Craig described the ongoing situation as deeply concerning for the local Ministry of Health and a clear call to action for both local and national stakeholders.
Speaking to news reporters via telephone on Monday, May 12, 2025, Dr. Craig revealed that the dire ambulance situation in Grand Kru County was a key issue highlighted during the recent National Health Summit organized by the Ministry of Health. Shockingly, it was reported that the Ministry’s Transport Director had deemed all previously available ambulances in the county as unroadworthy, leaving a gaping void in referral services.
With a mere one barely functional ambulance currently at their disposal, Dr. Craig expressed profound apprehension regarding the County Health Team’s capacity to operate effectively without crucial financial support for the maintenance and regular servicing of this sole vehicle. He warned that Grand Kru County is highly susceptible to a potential increase in maternal and neonatal mortality rates due to the lack of dependable transportation for emergency obstetric and newborn care. Consequently, he implored all relevant stakeholders to intervene swiftly and decisively to avert this looming crisis.
While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Dr. Craig noted a glimmer of hope, stating that the Minister of Health had made a commitment to prioritize Grand Kru County in future allocations of ambulances. He expressed cautious optimism regarding this pledge but stressed the urgent need for immediate and tangible actions from local leaders and the citizenry to bridge the current gap.
In discussing efforts to alleviate the transportation challenges, Dr. Craig acknowledged a recent donation of an ambulance from Representative Nathaniel Behway of Electoral District #1. He commended Representative Behway for his contribution but pointed out a significant hurdle: the donated vehicle is currently plagued with serious mechanical issues that require immediate attention to ensure its safe and effective utilization for emergency medical transport.
Dr. Craig further elaborated that the County Health Team’s technical department had diligently submitted a comprehensive report detailing the condition of the donated ambulance back in March. However, to date, no response or action has been forthcoming from Representative Behway’s office regarding the necessary repairs. “We cannot, in good conscience, deploy an ambulance on our roads when it presents numerous safety concerns… Our challenging road conditions could further jeopardize the well-being of patients being transported,” Dr. Craig asserted.
Community leaders and concerned residents have strongly echoed Dr. Craig’s urgent concerns, sharing distressing accounts of instances where critical transportation delays have tragically resulted in adverse health outcomes and even loss of life. They are collectively demanding immediate and effective interventions to secure essential ambulance services for the county, emphasizing that reliable emergency medical transport is fundamental for safeguarding the health and well-being of the entire community.
Despite the multitude of challenges confronting the health sector in Grand Kru County, Dr. Craig resolutely reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the County Health Team to continue providing quality health services across all five health districts within the county. He emphatically stressed that addressing this critical ambulance shortage is an absolute necessity to adequately meet the healthcare needs of Grand Kru’s citizens and to prevent the looming health crisis from unfolding.
In closing, the Chief Health Administrator urgently appealed to all relevant authorities and stakeholders to prioritize the procurement of new ambulances and the consistent maintenance of existing ones to ensure the safety and health of every resident in Grand Kru County.
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