By Christian Appleton
Pleebo, Maryland County – The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) has officially ordered the closure of the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) health facility in Pleebo, citing gross violations of national healthcare standards and persistent noncompliance.
The decision follows a recent inspection by LMDC officials, which revealed severe deficiencies at the CRC-run facility. According to the LMDC report, the health center was operating without a licensed medical doctor and had a critically low number of qualified healthcare professionals serving a large community within and around the CRC plantation.
Inspectors highlighted alarming sanitary conditions, a lack of essential medical equipment, and poor drug management protocols. They noted that the facility was restricted to conducting only rapid malaria tests and was incapable of delivering even basic clinical services.
“This level of negligence is deeply concerning, especially considering CRC’s obligations under its social development agreement,” stated Joseph Colmah, Clinical and Research Director at LMDC. “Healthcare, alongside education and housing, is a critical component of the support CRC is mandated to provide to its employees and their families.”
Residents and health workers in the area have long reported deteriorating conditions at the CRC camps, including unreliable power supply, unsafe water sources, and a chronic shortage of essential medications and medical staff.
The Maryland County closure mirrors a similar action taken by the LMDC in Sinoe County last week, where three clinics operated by Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) were shut down in Butaw, Tarjouwon, and Kpanyan Districts. These GVL clinics, like the CRC facility, were found to be severely understaffed, operating in unsanitary conditions, and lacking professional medical personnel, proper waste disposal systems, and essential medical infrastructure such as incinerators.
“The continued operation of these clinics in such poor condition is unacceptable,” Colmah asserted. “These companies have been given ample time and notice to address these issues, and our actions reflect our commitment to protecting the health and safety of the Liberian people.”
GVL, which has operated in Liberia since 2010 under a concession agreement due to expire in 2075, has also faced criticism for poor drug handling, inadequate record-keeping, and neglecting previous LMDC directives.
These closures are part of a broader nationwide healthcare quality and compliance assessment currently being led by the LMDC. The Council emphasized its firm commitment to strengthening healthcare oversight and enforcing national standards to ensure that all Liberians have access to safe, reliable, and quality medical care.