As one of her last executive acts as president of Liberia, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf dedicated the multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art diagnostic center of The National Social Security & Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
The center, named and styled “Jahmale Meds Solutions (NASSCORP Diagnostic Center)” in honor of the grandfather of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, comprises a three-storey laboratory building and an adjacent four-storey clinic. The late Chief Jahmale was a very great leader in the Gola Community during his days.
The facility will complement and provide much needed high-level laboratory and diagnosis to thousands of citizens who unfortunately die as a result of common undiagnosed diseases. It will also save huge amounts of money spent to travel abroad for treatment.
Dedicating the facility, which was constructed by Muson Group Inc., a Liberian-owned construction company, the former President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, praised the Management of NASSCORP for its far-sightedness in bringing relief to the people of Liberia in their medical needs.
She then applauded NASSCORP for what it has achieved over the years in “strengthening an important part of the Corporation.”
For his part, Director-General Dewitt vonBallmoos expressed thanks and appreciation to the former Liberian leader for affording him the opportunity to serve his country and further outlined his numerous achievements over the years with the support of the Board of Directors, his management team and staff.
He said the medical center contributes to the achievement of one of the key development goals the Administration of former President Sirleaf arduously worked towards.
The NASSCORP boss added that since he assumed the leadership of NASSCORP, several important initiatives have claimed his attention, captivated his imagination and challenged his determination to make NASSCORP one of the most progressive, efficient, viable and responsive entity in the nation. Director-General vonBallmoos said he dreamed of a day when all working Liberians would be a part of the social security system, including those who have served in the public sector and are entitled to a reasonable standard of living at retirement.
Mr. vonBallmoos underscored NASSCORP’s immense economic contribution to the overall improvement of the lives of Liberians through its investment programs, and added that NASSCORP’s investment into the health sector is a way of putting a stop to the high cost associated with Liberians travelling outside of the country for the purpose of seeking medical diagnostic services. He later presented the keys of the Jahmale Medical Solution to former President Sirleaf.
The NASSCORP Chief Executive disclosed that on the aggregate, NASSCORP maintains an investment portfolio of USS$50 Million comprised of various projects designed to generate returns for the Corporation in the future.
Mr. vonBallmoos paid tribute to those who assisted to get the facility completed, including Dr. Adrian Oddoye, Head of the Akai House of Ghana and staff of the Akai House; the Muson Group and its President, Mr. Joe Gene Mulbah, Contractor and Builder of this modern medical diagnostic center; Madam Miatta Beysolow, Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of NASSCORP; and the Senior Management and Staff of NASSCORP.
Others are Mr. Christopher McBorrough and his investment team of the Investment Division to include: Messrs Dimangmo Giddings, Amadu Dulleh and others who spent sleepless nights at the construction site to ensure its completion; Mrs. Inez Taylor Cooper, the interior designer of this beautiful medical diagnostic center; and NASSCORP’s bankers; GT Bank, GN Bank, IB and LBDI for facilitating all NASSCORP’s transactions during the project.
The Chairperson of NASSCORP Board of Directors and the representative of the House Committee on State-owned Enterprises, in separate remarks, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Management of NASSCORP for the far-sightedness and desire to improve the lives of Liberians. Speaking at the occasion, Vice Presdient-elect, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, commended Director-General vonBallmoos for his able stewardship at NASSCORP and promised to continue working with NASSCORP in the supreme interest of the country.
The dedicatory ceremony was attended by eminent personalities, including the former President of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; Vice President-elect Jewel Howard-Taylor, members of the House Committee on State-owned Enterprises, the Chairman and members of NASSCORP Board of Directors, representatives of United Nations Mission in Liberia, Heads of UN Agencies and members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
The imaging equipment for the facility include Toshiba Lightning Aquilian Detector; Row Ultra Helical CT Scan; Hitachi Aperto Lucent Primme Open MRI; Canon/DelftDI Triathlon DR X-Ray Machine; Planned Clarity 2D Digital Mammography (Mammogram); Hitachi Arietta V60 Ultra Sound Machine; Mortara ELA 280 Electrocardiograph Machine; and ROGAA Delft Online XS PACS Data Storage Facility.
There is a wide range of laboratory equipment that includes Clinical Chemistry; Hematology and immunoassay analyzers; Microbiology and hematology binocular microscopes; and hematherm advanced incubator.
Other equipment include Laboratory freezers and chillers; pure urine microbiology chemistry analyzer; water purification system; heraeusmegafude 8 centrifuge; clinical routers; VIOS 1601 sensor; autoclave vertical mesh; medical waste incinerator as well as other molecular biology, pharmaceutical equipment and supplies.
This facility will further enable technology and specialized skills transfer to local Liberian medical technicians, contributing to capacity building as well as encourage and attract the attention of Liberian medical professionals abroad to return home.