Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital

ByFrancis N. Kateh, MD, MHA, MPS/HSLMedical Director/CEO

May, 2011Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital Caring with Compassion and Quality " Caring with Compassion and Quality"11The History begins with Him

Paramount Chief Strother -giver of the land (50 acres) on which the Hospitals (both old and new) are built" Caring with Compassion and Quality"22History 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. " Caring with Compassion and Quality"3Photos of the Old Hospital & Residence for Staff built during President Does Administration

Old HospitalOld staff residenceOld staff residence

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"44Continuation 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.

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"5New 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 Peoples Republic of China to the People of the Republic of Liberia. This is the 2nd Tertiary Hospital in the nation.

Area View New HospitalMedical TechnologyOut Patient DeptIn Patient Administration/Cafeteria" Caring with Compassion and Quality"66Best of the Best in the Region

In patient One of the two elevatorsMini Distillation UnitTwo of the three 500KVA Generators" Caring with Compassion and Quality"77Modern Equipment

1st CT Scan in LiberiaOperational Unit of the CT Scan" Caring with Compassion and Quality"88CT Scan at Work

1st CT image in Liberia Pt being positionedPt being wheeled after imagingBrain image " Caring with Compassion and Quality"991st C-Section

Focusing of OR light prior to surgeryCompletion of surgery" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1010Patient being brought to JFDMRRH

As a tertiary hospital, most pts are transferred from around the country including Ivory Coast and GuineaFrom Inception Feb. 4 April 26, 2011OPD Visit 1112In patient . 455Total 1567Female (Adult). . 623Female (Children).. 205Male (Adult) ... 567Male (children) .. 172Total 1567SurgeriesTotal Surgeries.. 46C-section. 9Hysterectomy.. 5Myomectomy ..4Herniorhaphy..16EOU. .8Exploratory Laporotomy 2Apendectomy .. 2

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1111Modern Equipment

Echo-cardiogramENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Unit" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1212Modern Equipment

Automated Chemistry AnalyzerAutomated Hematology Machine" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1313Modern Equipment

Histological AnalyzerTissue Embedding Machine" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1414Modern Equipment

One of the six VentilatorsIncubators" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1515

2nd Floor Medical Technology Building going towards the Laboratory

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Front View (Out Patient Department)

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1717 Night View- OPD

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Two of the Six Residential Apartments

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"1919Strategic Importance

TappitaLooking 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" Caring with Compassion and Quality"2020The way forwardWith this magnificent gift from the Peoples 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.

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"21Immediate 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" Caring with Compassion and Quality"22What 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. " Caring with Compassion and Quality"23Recruitment, Building Relationships/ Capacity for LiberiansPresently 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.

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"24Accessibility 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 AmbulanceThe minimum of six including one for critical care patient has to be in placed before December 2011Medical 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 " Caring with Compassion and Quality"25Building 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

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"26What nextEstablishing a Cancer Treatment CenterThe 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 LymphomasEstablishment 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." Caring with Compassion and Quality"27Plaque

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"28So..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" Caring with Compassion and Quality"29HenceThe 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..

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"30Bidding 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..

" Caring with Compassion and Quality"31Contact InformationThanks a millionEmail: Frankateh@aol.comCell: 0112316360715

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