President George Manneh Weah with scores of officials and diplomates from the UAE officially dedicated the Emirates Hospital in Bopulu City, Gbarpolu County yesterday. The cutting-edge medical facility is more than 52,000 (fifty-two thousand) square feet in size and is powered almost entirely by solar energy. It is equipped with a 100-bed capacity for inpatients, numerous surgical rooms, a contemporary laboratory, an intensive care unit (ICU), numerous specialty departments, and a host of other amenities that set it apart from other hospitals in the nation.
President Weah noted that the fact that Gbarpolu County has historically had inadequate access to healthcare is a well-known truth. He said, the building and opening of the Emirates Hospital will not only make it easier for the residents of Gbarpolu to get access to high-quality medical treatment, but it will also improve healthcare for some areas of Lower Lofa and the neighboring counties of Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Bong.
The Liberian Leader noted that the hospital will compel some Sierra Leoneans in Kongba District, which is close to the Liberian border, to seek treatment at the hospital. Mr. Weah added that other foreign nationals who work in the nearby gold and diamond sectors also residing in Gbarpolu County will be able to access top-notch medical care at the state-of-the-art institution.
The Liberian President used the occasion to inform the populace that his selfless decision to leave Europe at the height of his soccer career and join the relatively unknown team AL JAZEERA in the United Arab Emirates was responsible for the facility’s selection, groundbreaking, and construction many years ago.
“You must understand that my decision was influenced by the developing friendship I had with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was the Crown Prince at the time and is now the President of the United Arab Emirates. It was also based on the love that the Emirati spectators had shown me. It was no minor effort to leave Europe while several of the top clubs in the world were still interested in hiring me. But sometimes, it’s crucial to prioritize relationships and friendship over money success.”
The Liberia Leader thanked and praised Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, for his tremendous humanitarian kindness toward the Liberian people.
“I also want to thank him for the outstanding delegation he sent to represent his government at this event, which included, among others, Her Excellency Dr. Aysha Sultan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of the Military Health Services of the UAE Army, and His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates. Your Excellencies, thank you for visiting Liberia and joining us for this momentous occasion.”
“By extending health coverage to our rural population, my government is demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the standard of healthcare in Liberia. This dedication is further demonstrated by the opening of the Emirates Hospital. With the addition of Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu, there are now a total of three brand-new hospitals that have been constructed and inaugurated during my Administration: Gbandeya Hospital in Rivercess; 14 Military Hospital in Margibi; and now.”
President Weah remarked that it was simple to see the historical deficit that Gbarpolu County had in infrastructure and healthcare more than a year ago during the County Tour. Therefore, deciding to build this medical complex in Gbarpolu was never a tough choice. My goal is that we can now staff this fantastic institution with a sufficient number of skilled personnel.
He also expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of Intbox Global Building Contracting LLC, a construction business in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which completed this facility in just 14 months from the date of groundbreaking.
Meanwhile, both Her Excellency Dr. Aysha Sultan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of the Military Health Services of the UAE Army and His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, expressed delight in working with the Liberian government.
Photo Credit: Executive Mansion
