A total of 35 patients who were challenged to settle their hospital bills at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center have been discharged without paying a cent, thanks to the ‘Santa Claus’ benevolence of President George Weah during this Yuletide.
Deputy Foreign Minister Elias Shoniyin announced the waiver of the sum of L$1,628,725 and US$1,193 in bills at JFK at the behest of the Liberian leader on Wednesday.
This, however, followed a request made by the Chief Executive Officer of the medical center, Dr. Jerry Brown, who acquainted the President with the situation that confronted the patients.
Some of them, who were treated between 2-5 months at the facility for injuries and conditions such as assault, road accident, burns and gunshot wounds, were discharged a few weeks ago but were held by the hospital to clear their financial obligations.
The decision by the President to grant such opportunity to these patients is in line with government’s Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, said Shoniyin.
He added that “this act of generosity by His Excellency also grants these patients an opportunity to celebrate the Christmas holiday with their relatives and friends.”
This gesture by the President Weah comes at the same time when he introduced a US$3 million loan scheme for Liberian-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and microfinance institutions across the country, signifying that he is keeping his promise to the local business community.
LINA
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