Pleebo Health Center Boosts Services
By Gareyson Yaba Neufville
To urgently address challenges facing the health sector, government and partners have dedicated the newly constructed Outpatient Department (OPD) at the Pleedo Health Center (PHC) in Maryland County.
The facility is aimed at expanding access to quality health services in one of Maryland County’s busiest and most populated areas.
The overwhelming ceremony was held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, in the courtyard of the PHC. It was attended by a cross-section of community members, health workers, local government officials, and partners from various ministries and agencies assigned in the county.
The dedication of the modern OPD will go a long way by boosting health services in the county.
It is also a significant boost to the healthcare system of the southeastern counties.
Pleedo Health Center Resident Doctor, Shadrick Gono, along with a team of medical staff and administrators, welcomed dignitaries and guests to the opening of the facility. Dr. Gono expressed gratitude to the donors and government for their continued support.
He underscored the importance of the new facility in meeting the growing healthcare demands of the Pleebo-Sodoken District and beyond.
Garrison Sayor, the Health Center Administrator, put the cost of the facility at US$15,329.9.
Sayor said, 81 percent of the funds were secured through the generous support of international partners and donor institutions, while 19 percent came from the national government through its regular budgetary allotment.
“This facility is part of our broader effort to decongest our existing wards and create a more patient-friendly environment,” Mr. Sayor stated.
He added: “It is also about responding to the rising number of patients we serve daily. This new outpatient department will significantly improve our efficiency and the quality of care we provide.”
Sayor traced the journey of the Pleebo Health Center from a small community clinic to a full-fledged comprehensive health center.
He noted that the center now has three resident medical doctors, a first in the history of the facility.
“What we are witnessing today is the result of years of hard work, teamwork, and strategic planning. We started as a single-room clinic with a handful of staff. Today, we are a comprehensive health center serving thousands of people annually, and we’re not stopping here,” he assured the gathering that provided a deafening applause.
Mr. Ujene Kroma, who represented the Maryland County Health Team, applauded the achievement.
He raised concern about the lack of a functional surgical theater at the center.
“This health facility, as important as it is, still lacks a theater. That is a serious concern, especially considering that this is the largest government-run healthcare institution in the commercial capital of the county,” Mr. Kromah said.
“We cannot allow that to go unresolved, assuring the county Health Team commitment to work with the hospital administration and development partners to address the issue.”
Mr. Kroma’s statement was echoed by local government authorities present at the ceremony. They also expressed their support and commitment to the Pleebo Health Center.
Aloysius Williams, Superintendent of the Pleebo-Sodoken Statutory District, described the OPD dedication as a major step in enhancing public healthcare delivery. “Healthcare should be a priority for all of us, and I am proud of what the Pleebo Health Center has achieved. My office remains ready to collaborate in addressing any remaining challenges.”
Similarly, Pleebo City Mayor Larry G. Geekor, applauded the center administration and reaffirmed the city government readiness to partner in future development initiatives.
The dedication ceremony is expected to ease patient flow, reduce waiting times, and allow for better organized services.
With the addition of three resident doctors and improved infrastructure, the Pleebo Health Center is positioning itself to be a model for primary healthcare delivery in the southeast.
As the center grows, the need for more specialized services, including surgery, maternal health, and emergency response, remain a priority, and administrators say they are hopeful that with continued support from the government and partners, those needs will soon be addressed.