“While the Executive Mansion is deeply disappointed in the decision reached by the jury, as a country of laws, we respect their decision, and accept the verdict of the court in this particular Economic Sabotage Case,” a statement by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has said. 

President Sirleaf, in the statement, indicated” But, let’s be clear about one thing, the fight against corruption goes on. Despite this set back, we remain relentless in our commitment to cutting out this cancer in our society, and are renewing our resolve with the implementation of a Ruthless Standardization approach to our anti-corruption efforts.”

To this end, the president noted, four bills have been brought by a Special Grand Jury in sitting, to indict individuals on corruption charges.

The president disclosed that more indictments are expected in the coming days, adding, “and this will continue until the desired conclusion is reached.”

“With the continued support and friendship from our international partners, I am confident we will succeed in putting the right processes, procedures, and policies in place to ensure that the resources of the country are used for the benefit of its citizens,” the statement in conclusion quoted the president as saying.

Dr. Williams: Don’t misuse mosquito nets   

Dr. Garfee Williams, the Medical Director of Phebe Hospital, situated in Suakoko, Bong County, has cautiously warned citizens of the county against the misuse of mosquito nets.

Dr. Williams, who is also the Medical Officer of Bong County, expressed serious concern over the misuse of mosquito nets by some citizens of the county.  

The Liberia News Agency (LINA) quotes Dr. Williams as saying that some citizens of the county were allegedly using mosquito nets for fishing.

According to LINA, the Medical Director of the Phebe Hospital sounded the warning through Bong County Chief Pharmacist, Mr. Arthur Loryoun, who spoke on his behalf during program marking the 2nd Malaria Day, held at the Administrative Building in Gbarnga recently.

However, he cautioned the citizens to take the necessary precaution against malaria, adding it is desperate and deadly as any disease in the world.   

Before the indoor program, the citizens paraded the principal streets of Gbarnga, carrying placards befitting the 2nd World Malaria Day. The program was held under the theme: “Counting Malaria Out” with a slogan-Accelerating Malaria Control to reach the MDGS.

In a related development, the Representative of the Employees of Phebe Hospital to the Board of Trustees, Mr. Melepalay K. Sumo, has disclosed that allotment of the hospital had been cut down considerably, thus causing hardship at the only government referral hospital in central Liberia.

LINA quotes Mr. Sumo as describing the allotment as worrisome, saying those things befitting government employees are not given including increment that was given by the government.

“They need to know whether it is still a referral hospital or private. Allotment had been reduced; employees are calling on government to immediately intervene if the hospital must survive,” the Representative of the employees stated.      

He observed that health is wealth, noting one part the strategies for the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) is the building of a healthy nation.

He told LINA that government previously gave 85% support to the hospital, but was cut down. However, Mr. Sumo fell short of stating what percentage of the hospital budget had been cut.   

The Representative of the employees then underscored the need for the hospital budget to be increased.

Mr. Sumo added that plans to engage government are already underway aimed at redefining the status of Phebe Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Phebe Hospital, Mr. Pewee Zubah, has confirmed that the Phebe Hospital, like any institution, has financial problems. He said there are challenges facing the hospital that need to be addressed by the government promptly.

Mr. Zubah said he is not happy about the reduction in the health budget and that the board would engage stakeholders, government, nongovernmental organization of the health sector to assist the hospital.         

Despite the downward trend Phebe Hospital is taking, the Board Chairman said there are hopes for the hospital. “Interaction with the stakeholders is the hallmark and could be the way forward,” he concluded.