The Ministry of Health is expected to commission the newly refurbished Jordanian Hospital at Star Base on the Bushrod Island, a facility upgraded under the Liberia COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (LCER).
The Jordanian Hospital will boast Liberia’s healthcare infrastructure and infectious disease control. The construction of the hospital stemmed from COVID-19 first case record. According to a release, to curb the virus’s rapid spread then, the Government declared a “State of Emergency” on April 8, 2020, implementing strict public health protocols. These measures included closing schools, nightclubs, cinemas, beaches, spas, mosques, and churches; banning street selling and gatherings of more than 10 people; limiting banks and restaurants to five customers to maintain six feet of separation; and enforcing social distancing in health facilities, pharmacies, public transportation, and marketplaces.
Additionally, mandatory hand washing with soap and clean water was introduced at all public and private establishments. Over 75 percent of government employees were placed on paid leave, with only essential staff reporting to work. Originally operated by Jordanian Military Observers as part of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2003 to 2018, the Jordanian Hospital consisted of prefabricated structures that had been in use for over 15 years.
Recognizing the urgent need for an isolation and treatment center during the pandemic, the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Infrastructure and Case Management Teams to redesign and rehabilitate the facility.
The renovation, costing USD $544,000.00, included replacing roofs, ceilings, doors, and windows; installing electrical and plumbing fixtures; painting; and restoring damaged sections. The newly refurbished Jordanian Hospital has a capacity of at least 70 beds and will treat other infectious diseases, including Lassa Fever, Monkeypox, Cholera, Whooping Cough, Yellow Fever, and Meningitis.
Its strategic location and enhanced infrastructure make it a candidate for transformation into a National Infectious Disease Center, a goal the Ministry of Health is committed to achieving. The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto expresses gratitude to partners for their continued support in strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system and reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Liberians and residents.
