River Gee County Health Team has broken ground to construct two long-overdue projects that included Gmomaken and Dartoken clinics. For years, the two facilities had operated from crumbling mud structures that leaked and offered little privacy or safety.
The County Health Officer, Dr. Pauline Weah Mehdeh, and her team, have pushed for years to replace the clinics, which they referred to as one of the most deteriorated facilities the current administration inherited.
“The old buildings could not meet the needs of our people,” said County Health Team Administrator, Dedesco Gweh, during separate groundbreaking ceremonies.
“This project replaces aging mud structures with modern health centers built for safety, efficiency and dignity for patients and the nurses.”
Gweh credited the Ministry of Health and the Minister, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, for approving the reconstruction after sustained advocacy that highlighted Tienpo’s urgent health needs.
While both clinics existed before, officials said, they had become too small and structurally weak for the growing population.
Construction has started, though the County Health Team has not yet released the total cost. They pledged to work closely with the Ministry, development partners, and local communities to ensure the facilities are completed on time.
The news sparked celebration in Gmomaken. Town Chief Jerry Wesseh, called it “a long-awaited intervention” for a district hampered by bad roads and few medical options.
“We thank the Ministry of Health, through the County Health Team, for prioritizing vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities, and for bringing quality healthcare services closer to our people. many years, residents have struggled because of poor road conditions and inadequate health facilities.”
Chief Wesseh added that the new clinics will expand access to essential services, improve working conditions for health workers, and lead to better health outcomes in Tienpo.
For the inhabitants, the project means more than new buildings. It signals that remote communities will not be left behind.
River Gee has six health districts, and 20 facilities, including Fish Town Referral Hospital.
For Tienpo, one of the most populous districts due to mining and economic activity, per the 2022 Census, remains underdeveloped. Poor roads still block timely delivery of health, education and commerce.