MONROVIA, LIBERIA-President George Weah has officially opened the first National Dialysis Center to begin treatment of kidney complications at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Medical Hospital in Monrovia.

The EJS Dialysis Center, as named by President Weah, is in honor of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, under whose administration the negotiation began.

Speaking on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, before cutting the ribbon to the center, President Weah described the initiative as a milestone in Government‘s effort to provide affordable health care to citizens.

The Liberian Leader also instructed the Minister of Health, Wilhelmina Jallah, to engage the Ministry of Finance to secure an initial recurrent operational fund for the dialysis center.

President Weah also stressed the urgent need to expand the dialysis center to other counties, and develop a budgetary support towards its operations.

The Liberian Leader said:” The establishment of the EJS Dialysis Center will now safe lives, and cut down cost for patients who travel abroad to seek medication.”

For her part, Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah thanked Liberia’s partners for significant contributions made towards the establishment of the EJS Dialysis Center.

Dr. Jallah named the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, the Government of Japan and others as major contributors to the project.

She said the project would not have been possible without the kind gesture of partners and friendly governments.

Dr. Jallah said:” Such has given Liberians the opportunity to seek basic healthcare services in Liberia, rather than bearing the huge cost of flying abroad.”

The Health Minister noted that the Liberian Government will work to ensure that services at the facility are reasonable for citizens.

Also speaking, the Country Representative of WHO, Dr. Peter Clement urged the Liberian Government to prioritize the operation of the center.

Dr. Clement named constant electricity, water, human resource development and equipment as areas to be given serious attention.

His call was re-echoed by JFK Chief Administrator, Dr. Jerry Brown, who made key emphasis on maintenance.

Dr. Brown said:” The establishment of the center is a major boost to reducing referrals in the Country’s Health Center.”

According to him, the center will be able to treat diabetes, hypertension and other diseases that lead to kidney failure.

The Center was built by the Tokushukai Medical Corporation based in Japan, with support from the World Bank.