-Wants Technology, Medical Sciences Prioritize
By R Joyclyn Wea
Former Vice President of Liberia and Standard bearer of the former governing Unity Party (UP), Ambassador Joseph Boakai has launched developmental initiative known as ‘Liberia Career Pathways’ with more emphasis on technology and medical sciences.
Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai at the Launch of LCP
Speaking during the launching ceremony held on 13th street in Sinkor, the UP political leader indicated that they are giving their fullest support to the biomedical training program, a component under the Liberia career pathway to boost Liberia’s healthcare; something according to him would be administered by the BWI in collaboration with the Liberia Career Pathway.
This, Boakai stated would provide technical training for young people to contribute to healthcare by installing, maintaining, and servicing biomedical equipment in Liberia, noting that at present, millions of dollars’ worth of equipment remains faulty due to the lack of technicians to service and maintain them.
Former VP Boakai bewailed “patients care and medical practice would be increasingly relying on technology, and the training of youth to maintain medical equipment and service, this would help in saving many lives in the country.
“Modern medicine has advance and had pass us, but this does not mean we cannot catch up. in the same way, the cell phones had been in the rural communities who never saw it at the time are now using cell phones to reach every part of the world,” he added.
He said the intention with technology and medical sciences is to also enable Liberian move towards the stages of development in health science and health industry like other nations had gone through and never lost to the newest of these things,” he recounted.
The United Nations reported, at its Global Forum Meeting that 70 percent of essential medical equipment are not functional in developing countries like Liberia, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 50-80 percent of medical equipment in developing countries are broken down, or “out of service.” in Liberia, the numbers are likely higher. “Imagine the difficulties faced by a neonatal nurse caring for infants on a ward that does not have functional resuscitation equipment, incubators, or oxygen or anesthetic machine not functioning properly during surgery,” he said.
These are challenges medical professionals face in Liberia and the biomedical technician training program will also see to close this critical gap by ensuring that medical devices in the country are properly functional, with the result of keeping health care staff efficient and producing better.
At the same time, the standard bearer of the Alternative National Congress, Alexander Cummings has stated that such initiative is good because it will help young people discovered their full career goal and aspiration.
Cummings who was one of the focus persons in the 2017 presidential race disclosed that he is in discussion with the former vice president for collaboration, noting that he remains supportive to helping young people education which is one of his top priorities areas captured in his platform during the Liberian 2017 elections.
The ANC political leader further emphasized that education being one of his top most priorities, he remains committed to the effort of fostering young people education to discover their full potential.
The Liberia Career Pathways is aim at empowering learners as well as strengthening the nation amongst other things.
The mission of the LCP is to empower and support Liberian learners through quality education and training, and to advocate for the development of various career paths, critical for Liberia’s economic growth.
Many students in Liberia do not have internet access in their schools or homes; this limits student only to what they hear from classroom teachers and reduces their ability to explore topics beyond the classroom.
To fill this need, LCP established the center for career discovery, to help students foster deeper exploration of classroom subjects and expose them to high-demand careers needed within the Liberian economy, as well as the skills necessary to pursue and succeed in those careers.
Students in Liberia generally have very limited exposure to the outside world. This center, through technology, will enable distant professionals to mentor and support students as they explore various careers and advance their skills.
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