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By: Emmanuel Tarpeh Quiah, Southeast Contributor
BARCLAYVILLE- Grand Kru County – August 4, 2025 — The Ministry of Health has officially begun construction of a state-of-the-art Medical Drugs Center in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.
According to Dr. Learwellie Craig, County Health Officer, the project is funded by the Global Fund and is being implemented by Plan International Liberia.
Dr. Craig explained that upon completion, the facility will serve as a centralized hub for the storage and distribution of essential medical supplies, not only within Grand Kru County but also to neighboring counties across southeastern Liberia.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and its development partners for their continued support, noting that the Medical Drugs Storage Facility will play a crucial role in enhancing drug availability, improving storage standards, and ultimately promoting better health outcomes for the region.
Speaking in an interview with team of reporters, Dr. Craig underscored the significance of sustained government and partner support to further strengthen the county’s healthcare delivery system. He stated that the facility valued at several thousand U.S. dollars is currently under active construction and represents a major milestone in improving the health infrastructure in Grand Kru.
“This center is a major step forward in securing safe and reliable access to medication for our people,” Dr. Craig said. “But we must continue to invest in our health systems if we are to protect the lives of all Liberians.”
He added that Grand Kru County has been making gradual progress in healthcare delivery, but challenges remain, particularly in remote areas. Limited access to medical supplies, understaffing, and long distances to health facilities still affect patient outcomes. He expressed hope that this new center will help address some of these gaps by strengthening the county’s drug supply chain and outreach efforts.
In a related development, Dr. Craig disclosed that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, has formally employed at least 14 volunteer health workers in Grand Kru County. This move, he said, is part of a broader national initiative aimed at increasing human resource capacity in the health sector.
He described the employment of the health workers as a “significant and morale-boosting step,” one that will empower practitioners across the county to deliver honest, efficient, and community-focused healthcare services.
Meanwhile, Dr. Craig said the newly employed health workers have expressed excitement about their transition to formal employment and praised the government for making tangible efforts to strengthen the local health system.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.