By Francis N. Kateh, MD, MHA, MPS/HSL Medical Director/CEO May, 2011 Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital “Caring with Compassion and Quality”

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"

ByFrancis N. Kateh, MD, MHA,

MPS/HSLMedical Director/CEO

May, 2011

Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital

“Caring with Compassion and Quality”

1


The History begins with Him

Paramount Chief Strother -giver of the land (50 acres) on which the Hospitals (both old and new) are built

2


History The thought of a hospital being built in Tappita came

about in the mid 70s when the Late President William R. Tolbert envisioned the need for the erection of such facility in Tappita.

The necessary arrangements were made but it did not come to fruition due to his death. The Late President Samuel Kanyon Doe decided to engage partners in order to fulfill this vision and subsequently bring about a genuine reconciliation between the people of Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.

The effort of the late President Doe led to erection of a structure that was not officially opened prior to the civil crisis but was vandalized during the crisis.

3


Photos of the Old Hospital & Residence for Staff built during President Doe’s Administration

Old HospitalOld staff residence

Old staff residence4


Continuation of HistoryDuring the 2005 presidential campaign, the people of

the Tappita District requested from then Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to prioritize the renovation of the Tappita Government Hospital if elected President. Her response was an overwhelming yes!

On countless occasions, leaders make promises during campaign season but because of priorities within priorities, these promises are not kept. However, this was not the situation regarding the Tappita Government Hospital. It became a priority within priorities by Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She immediately began taking concrete actions to facilitate its fruition immediately after her ascendency.

5


New StructureThe history of Tappita Government Hospital

blossomed from just an ordinary district hospital to a Regional Referral Hospital of international standard and quality as a gift from the People’s Republic of China to the People of the Republic of Liberia. This is the 2nd Tertiary Hospital in the nation.

Area View –New Hospital

Medical Technology

Out Patient Dept

In Patient

Administration/Cafeteria

6


Best of the Best in the Region

In patient One of the two elevators

Mini Distillation UnitTwo of the three 500KVA

Generators7


Modern Equipment

1st CT Scan in Liberia Operational Unit of the CT Scan

8


CT Scan at Work

1st CT image in Liberia Pt being positioned

Pt being wheeled after imaging Brain image 9


1st C-Section

Focusing of OR light prior to surgery

Completion of surgery

10


Patient being brought to JFDMRRH

As a tertiary hospital, most pts are transferred from around the country including Ivory Coast and Guinea

From Inception Feb. 4 –April 26, 2011•OPD Visit ………… 1112•In patient …………. 455Total 1567• Female (Adult)…. . 623• Female (Children).. 205• Male (Adult) ……... 567• Male (children) ….. 172

•Total……………… 1567

SurgeriesTotal Surgeries.. 46C-section…………. 9Hysterectomy….. 5Myomectomy …..4Herniorhaphy…..16EOU………………. .8Exploratory Laporotomy… 2Apendectomy …………….. 2

11


Modern Equipment

Echo-cardiogram ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Unit

12


Modern Equipment

Automated Chemistry Analyzer

Automated Hematology Machine13


Modern Equipment

Histological Analyzer Tissue Embedding Machine

14


Modern Equipment

One of the six Ventilators Incubators15


2nd Floor Medical Technology Building going towards the Laboratory

16


Front View (Out Patient Department)

17


Night View- OPD

18


Two of the Six Residential Apartments

19


Strategic Importance

Tappita

Looking at the road net work, Tappita is almost centrally locatedIt has the propensity to be like Mayo Clinic which is in Rochester, MN that begun in a farming community- Today, it is a world renowned facility in terms of excellence in health careWith the advance medical equipment, business and other economic activities will boomThe location is ideal for solitude in building a viable healthcare service of quality and excellence

20

http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/africa/Liberia-physical-map.gif


The way forwardWith this magnificent gift from the People’s

Republic of China, what are we as a nation, people and individuals can do to make this institution world class?

What are the immediate challenges?What are the short and long term goals for

the institutionHow can we get there…….

21



Immediate ChallengesRecruitment of specialized physician in these various

disciplinesPediatricianENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)GastroenterologistOphthalmologist with expertise in retina care PathologistRadiologist with diagnostic expertise and CT

interpretationObstetrician/GynecologistCardiologistGeneral SurgeonUrologistOncologist

22



What has been doneMOU has been signed between Korle Bu Teaching

Hospital and Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital in the provision of short- term consultants in helping to build the capacity of the institution.This has begun and has been a short term remedy for

the provision of services although a little costly.MOU has been signed with the Egyptian

Government through a Tripartite agreement including the Governments of China and Liberia for Egypt to provide at least two specialized physicianDue to the Egyptian crisis, there has been some delay.

23



Recruitment, Building Relationships/ Capacity for Liberians

Presently reviewing the salary structure for specialized physicians in the African Sub region and IndiaBased on the results, we are going to recruit

specialized physician in each department that will enable us to build our capacity while providing quality health care to the people of Liberia and the sub-region.

Proactively engaged other institutions to provide short term specialized physician through a bilateral relationship. This process involves everyone that have the

connection(s) with institution that will be willing to help.Housing , feeding and local transportation will be

provided.

24



Accessibility to CareWith all of its splendor in technology, if

access of care is not adequately address, the short and long term goal will be blurred, hence the following is being looked at:Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance

The minimum of six including one for critical care patient has to be in placed before December 2011

Medical HelicopterWe are in discussion with the manager of Carolinas

Healthcare System Medical Helicopter’ Director to assist in a feasibility studies that will enable us to get the right kind of Helicopter that will withstand the Liberian terrain with low cost maintenance.

He will visit Tappita in August , 2011 25



Building CapacityPresently there are 24 staff from the Hospital in

Shanghai, China undergoing six weeks intensive training in operating various equipments.

Five Chinese technicians will come to Tappita for one year to continue in the building of staff capacity beginning this August.

The need to establish a Para-medical institution in the following areas will enhance capacity:Sonogram/ Echocardiogram TechnicianC-T Scan TechnicianBiomedical Equipment Technician

26



What nextEstablishing a Cancer Treatment Center

The Levine Institute of Cancer Research, Charlotte, NC is willing to work with the institution in training and the development of protocols for treatment in the following types of cancers:CervicalBreastVarious forms of Lymphomas

Establishment of a Dialysis CenterA meeting is being arranged with a provider that

will donate the equipment and train staff with the understanding that all of the reagents will be purchased from them.

27



Plaque

28


So……..The dial has been cast, the seed has been

planted.. It is incumbent upon everyone of us to unite and

work together in building a healthcare institution in Liberia that will become a hub of quality and excellence in patient care.

We can make it if we put our differences aside and work together for the common good of our people.

I am of the candid opinion that by saving lives, those that have been lost during the course of the crisis will smile and say, “my life has not been destroyed for nothing, but has served as a conduit for greater and better Liberia…”

29


Hence……The Chinese Ambassador- Xhou Yuosio said

during the official opening and dedication that “the Chinese build a building, but it is up to Liberians to make it a hospital”

Are we going to yield to the call of service…. Think about it…..

30


Bidding FarewellAs I leave you, it is my plea that we keep in

contact and please help me build a vibrant institution that we will all be proud of…..

31


Contact Information

Thanks a millionEmail: [email protected]

Cell: 0112316360715

32

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

By Francis N. Kateh, MD, MHA, MPS/HSL Medical Director/CEO May, 2011 Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital “Caring with Compassion and Quality”