Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph has called for additional funding for Liberia’s health sector, citing the country’s critical shortage of specialized doctors to handle major medical emergencies.
Speaking during a Senate plenary on Tuesday, Senator Joseph urged his colleagues to support the creation of a “special need fund” to address emergency health concerns.
He noted that many hospitals in Liberia lack specialized doctors and essential equipment to treat patients with severe illnesses, leaving government health facilities unable to meet the needs of citizens.
“There are many citizens on their deathbeds, lying without hope, just waiting for the call of their Lord because the government has failed to provide the necessary support,” Senator Joseph lamented.
Referring to global cancer statistics, Senator Joseph highlighted the alarming burden of critical illnesses worldwide.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, nearly 20 million cancer cases were diagnosed in 2022, with an age-standardized rate of 196.9 per 100,000 people. Men faced a higher rate (212.6 per 100,000) than women (186.3 per 100,000).
Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, the global cancer rate dropped slightly to 186.5 per 100,000.
The data underscores the growing challenge of preventing and managing cancer globally, with around 40% of cases potentially preventable through better diet, nutrition, and physical activity.
The Montserrado Lawmaker noted that there are thousands of Liberians who might be part of the number but do not have access to healthcare.
Senator Saah Joseph is proposing 10 million United States Dollars to be set aside to be managed by the Ministry of Health.
Senator Joseph stressed the urgent need for the Liberian government to prioritize health sector funding, emphasizing that most citizens cannot afford to seek treatment abroad.
“It’s time for the government to take this issue seriously. Not everyone has the means to travel abroad for treatment,” he concluded.
