Years of Service, No Salary: Garzon Health Workers Appeal to Government

GARZON COMMUNITY, MARGIBI COUNTY: Volunteer health workers at the Garzon Community Clinic in Division #16, Firestone District, Margibi County, are appealing to the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Health to place them on government payroll and improve conditions at the health facility.

Speaking to reporters over the weekend at the clinic, the volunteers said they have been providing essential healthcare services to residents of Garzon Community and nearby towns for several years without receiving salaries from the government.

According to them, their continued service to the community comes despite serious personal hardships caused by the lack of stable income.

The health workers explained that many of them struggle daily to support their families while still dedicating their time and skills to caring for patients at the clinic.

“Even though we are volunteers, we remain committed to helping our people because this clinic is the only place many residents depend on for basic healthcare,” one of the health workers said.

The volunteers also raised concern about several challenges affecting the effective operation of the clinic. Among the major issues they highlighted are the lack of a toilet facility, inadequate medical supplies, absence of electricity, and the lack of a proper waiting area for pregnant women seeking care.

They further disclosed that the clinic has no staff quarters, making it difficult for health workers to properly perform their duties, especially during night shifts.

According to the volunteers, the lack of accommodation sometimes forces health workers to sleep in the same room with patients because there is no designated place for staff to stay.

The workers also revealed that the Garzon Community Clinic currently has only one government-employed health worker, while the rest of the personnel serving at the facility are volunteers.

They warned that if urgent action is not taken, the situation could eventually affect the quality of healthcare services being provided to residents in the area.

The volunteers are therefore calling on the Ministry of Health and the Government of Liberia to intervene by placing the volunteer health workers on payroll and addressing the infrastructure challenges facing the clinic.

They believe that employing the volunteers and improving the clinic’s conditions will greatly strengthen healthcare services for residents of Garzon Community and surrounding towns within Firestone District.

Residents of the area have also expressed hope that authorities will respond to the concerns raised, noting that the Garzon Community Clinic remains a vital healthcare center serving hundreds of people in the district.