|
Revive Liberia Missions, Inc. Free Clinic Project Project Goals The primary goal of this project is to establish a free clinic in Liberia for the poor and destitute. The scope of the clinic is to provide first level care in common disease (AIDS, tuberculosis, cholera and malaria, dysentery), OB/ post natal, pediatrics, first aid and community health. The services will be free save for a small fee (under $1 US) for registration. Funding will be through grants, gifts and proceeds from mission economic endeavors. Background Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world according to a 2007 World Bank report. 14 years of war has brought this once prosperous, 160 year old, democracy to it's knees. Post war retreat of major health organizations like Medcines Sans Frontieres and the UN WHO have caused a health crises in Liberia. Children have started immunizations and they have stopped, some became reliant to antibiotics in the camps and now cannot get them, mothers give birth to babies in huts without trained midwives or sanitary conditions. AIDS, estimated at 8% of the population during the war has risen to 12% as returning refugees bring the disease with them. Malaria is increasing as is cholera and TB. Government, broke and struggling has scant resources for public health or clinics. Supplies and staff are short to non-existent. Private clinics charge before the procedure, making health care impossible for the vast majority of citizens who struggle to make $300 US a year. Unemployment is at 80% and there is little hope for near term improvement. Infrastructure has collapsed, Monrovia, a city of one million has no water, sewerage or electricity three years after the war ended. Conditions are even worse in the interior. Clinics, few in number in the best of times are closed. Those that are open have no supplies. Immunizations are available but cannot be distributed for want of refrigeration to keep them viable. It is the second wave of causalities from the war. Definition A free clinic is just that, free to patients, charging a small registration fee, common in Liberia's few free clinics. We are proposing this clinic be funded for 5 years. Preliminary estimates put the price of real property, equipment, supplies and staff at $350,000 to $500,000US for the period. Start-up costs are in the $100,000 range and will rely on voluntary labor for building and some staffing. A location will need top be determined and is somewhat reliant on governmental regulations to put clinics in areas not served. We are proposing outlaying areas of either Monrovia or Buchanan for this clinic, primarily for logistical reasons. Sister clinics and/or mobile clinics being established as soon as possible in rural areas.
|