Africa-Press – Liberia. Patients at the C.B. Dunbar Hospital have expressed deep appreciation to Direct Relief, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, for its ongoing donation of essential medications that are helping them manage chronic illnesses, including leukemia.
The drugs, provided free of charge, have become a critical lifeline for patients who would otherwise be unable to afford them. Among the beneficiaries is Kebbeh Morris, a leukemia patient from Kokoyah District, who said she relies on the medication Glivec to survive.
“I’ve been on this medication for years. One pack costs about $20, which I cannot afford monthly. Thanks to Direct Relief, I get it for free,” Morris said during a recent visit to the hospital. “Despite the pain, I’m happy because this free drug is keeping me alive.”
Another leukemia patient, Justin Kesselee, was referred to CB Dunbar from Nimba County due to the unavailability of the required medication elsewhere. His brother, Rancy Kesselee, who accompanied him, said the journey was difficult but worthwhile.
“They told us the drug is only available at CB Dunbar. It’s very expensive in private pharmacies, but here we got it for free. This has saved lives,” he said.
According to hospital staff, more than ten leukemia patients are currently receiving treatment at CB Dunbar Hospital using medications such as Imatinib (Glivec), Nilotinib (Tasigna), Dasatinib (Sprycel), and Bosutinib (Bosulif). These drugs, considered costly in most parts of the country, are being supplied through Direct Relief’s donations.
“Before, patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often didn’t survive beyond two or three years. But since these drugs started arriving in 2021, our patients have been living longer and better,” a medical doctor at the hospital told FrontPageAfrica.
Deborah Benson, a 34-year-old mother of two, also praised the initiative. “I used to be sent to buy drugs outside the hospital. But for the past two months, I’ve received everything right here. No one has asked me to go elsewhere,” she said.
Charles Scott, another patient, added, “This is our only hope. Direct Relief supplying the hospital with drugs means they’re saving our lives.”
Direct Relief has been donating medical supplies to the hospital on a quarterly basis for the past two years. These donations include drugs like Albendazole, Hydroxychloroquine, Prednisone, Carvedilol, and others, in addition to leukemia-specific treatments.
At a recent handover ceremony, Dr. Cynthia Blapooh, Direct Relief’s representative in Liberia, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting underserved communities. “Our goal is to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural areas. These donations are for the benefit of those who need them most,” she said.
Dr. Blapooh also urged hospital authorities to ensure the donated medications are distributed free of charge and used solely for their intended purposes.
CB Dunbar’s Medical Director, Dr. Moses K. Beyan, thanked Direct Relief for its consistent support. “We promise to use these materials responsibly. We also call on other humanitarian organizations to follow this example in helping improve healthcare in Bong County,” he said.
CB Dunbar Hospital is Liberia’s only specialized maternal hospital in a rural setting. It also serves as a referral center for complex medical cases from Bong County and parts of neighboring Guinea. The partnership with Direct Relief has significantly enhanced its ability to provide quality healthcare to patients who would otherwise be left without options.
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