Liberia learns from Clydach

 

On 8 September, 2011, Apollo’s development in Clydach hosted a delegation from the Liberian Government, Welsh Government and Abertawe Bro Morganwg University Health Board. The visit by Dr Dahn, the Liberian Health Minister, Win Griffiths, Chairman of ABMU and Paul Roberts the new Chief Executive of ABMU, was aimed at assisting the Liberian Government in their efforts to reform the provision of health in Liberia.

Liberia, like many other African nations is desperate for health reform. In 2007 the World Health Organisation were reporting 1 GP per 50,000 patients (UK is 1 per 1500 average). Efforts have been made to quadruple this figure since this report but current estimates indicate the ratio is still worryingly high.

The delegation toured Clydach for 2 hours where they inspected the consulting rooms, treatment areas and minor operations suite in the company of Dr Richard Tristham the lead GP for Clydach, and Mike Garner the Practice Manager for Clydach. The group then visited Singleton Hospital in Swansea to inspect the acute care provision in Swansea.

By all accounts the visit was a great success with all the delegates being highly impressed by the quality and feel of the premises and also in the way the practice was managed and run.

 Even though this scheme was completed in 2009, Apollo still has a very close relationship with the practice and continue to assist in FM and maintenance issues to this day.

 For more information on Liberia’s health profile visit the World Health Organisation web site : http://www.who.int/countries/lbr/en/