MONROVIA, February 14(LINA) - The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has observed that poor road infrastructure remains a major barrier to accessing health services in many parts of the country.
Public Works Minister William Gyude Moore noted that road infrastructure is essential to a strong health system and a key determinant of access to health in any country.
The Minister’s assertion was contained in the ministry’s presentation on Roads Infrastructure Interventions and Ebola Execution Plan, with emphasis on Roads to Health Program, at the recent Cabinet Retreat held in Julijuah, Bomi County.
Moore maintained that it is not unusual for patients in Liberia to walk two hours plus to the nearest health facility, according to the Liberia News Agency.
He quoted a recent Demographic and Health Survey report as saying that nearly 70 percent of women cited the distance to health facilities across the country as major barrier to access.
Moore emphasized that over 90 percent of Liberia’s roads are gravel surfaces and are unsuitable for terrains with very high rainfall, a situation that leaves entire communities completely cut off from markets and social services, including health.
The Public Works Minister told the Cabinet Retreat that the Road to Health Program is intended to, among other things, create, improve and maintain access to all Ebola response infrastructure and regular health facilities across the country.
The MPW was established in 1928 by an Act of National Legislation to plan, design, construct and maintain public infrastructure, as well as formulate and supervise construction contracts, among others.
LINA