THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE CASES FROM LIBERIA BEN CONSTANCE, MD

THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE

CASES FROM LIBERIABEN CONSTANCE, MD

Liberia

1 USD = 72 LD

Early Tribes

• West migration in 12th century AD

• 16 distinct ethnic groups• 1461 Portuguese

explorers found pepper• 1602 Dutch trading post

at Grand Cape Mount• 1663 British trading post

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Slave trade

• 1800s – America grew intolerant of slave trade

• 1821 American Colonization Society developed Liberia for settlement of freed slaves

• 1847 Liberia declared an independent free nation

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Americo-Liberia Settlers

• Elite class Americo-Liberians ruled over the 95% indigenous majority

• Separate culture, lighter skin, Western culture

• 1878 True Whig Party rule until 1980

• 1912-1920 internal wars

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Joseph Robertsfirst president 1840-1850

Bloody Overthrow• 1926 Firestone 100 year

contract granted• Foreign investors remove

natural resources• 1980 indigenous Liberians

overthrow government and create Redemption Council

• Samuel K Doe executed president Tolbert and members of the cabinet

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Charles Taylor

• Tribes oppressed by Doe in the North

• Critical aid cut off• Growing tensions• 1990 a militia under

Charles Taylor lead to full tribal warfare

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL)

• Thousands of Gio and Mano tribal soldiers joined Taylor

• June 1990 invaded the capitol

• December 1990 Doe assassinated

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Civil War

• 1993 United Nations enters Liberia

• 1994 Peace agreement of Accra until 1996

• Taylor “won” presidential elections of 1997

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Liberian United For Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD)

• 1990s weapons & diamond trade with Sierra Leone

• 1999 LURD in the North• April 2000 fighting starts• 2002 LURD supported by

Guinea and Sierra Leone

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Women’s Movement and Ceasefire• 2002 Women in Peace

building Network (WIPNET)

• Joint Muslim and Christian “Mass Action for Peace”

• 2003 Women’s delegation to Ghana

• Peace achieved after 14 years of civil war

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Peace and Democracy• Aug 2003 – 2 year

transitional government formed

• Oct 2003 – UNMIL took over peacekeeping

• 2004 – 100,000 ex-combatants disarmed

• Oct 2005 – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf elected first female Liberian President

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Race for Presidency 2011

• Sep 2011 referendum passed

• Elections slated for Nov 2011

• Current race between UP and the CDC

• Tensions again high

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2011

Health Statistics

• (WHO) world’s highest infant mortality rate• 12.9% HIV prevalence rate among 15-25 y/o

pregnant women • Malaria prevalence rate of 56.9% and

mortality rate of 14.1%• Estimated only 40% TB cases diagnosed and

treated

Health Statistics

• 31% immunization rate• 30% all major hospitals reduced to clinics• 70% all major hospitals closed• 237 physicians pre-ward reduced to <50

HEARTT

• Health Education and Relief Through Training• JFK teaching hospital in Monrovia• Fee for service model• Provision of healthcare, teaching, research &

community outreach

Pathology

Pathology

JFK Medical Center

• Largest hospital• Limited capacity• “ED”, medicine, peds,

general surgery, OB/GYN

• Fee-for-service model• Children <5 free• CBC, micro, UA,

chemistry, basic XR• One ultrasound

Emergency Department

• Medical & Surgical side• Open 24/7• MD staffing 9 to 5• HEARTT, interns, PAs• 26 medical beds• Urine dip, Upreg, RBS• Average LOS 3-5 days

Written permission for photo use on file

Robertsport

Kendeja Beach Resort

Waterside Market

Liberian Crafts

Thinker’s Beach

Robertsport Surfing Competition

Liberian Art

My Birthday at Sajj House

THANK YOU