APS Departs Liberia at the End of Visit
The U.S. Navy’s Partnership Station (APS) concluded another visit to Liberia on September 15, fulfilling its mission to strengthen global partnerships through collaborative activities, which included providing medical services to 2,025 Liberian patients. At a reception on board of the “HSV Swift,” Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, praised the APS contribution to Liberia’s development, noting that the APS signifies the outstanding relationship between Liberia and the United States.
The APS began its two week long (September 3-15) visit to Liberia with the handover of humanitarian assistance on September 4 at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia and provided medical services to 2,025 Liberians in three of Liberia’s 15 counties, Montserrado, Margibi and Bomi. Partnering with “Project Handclaps,” APS delivered 144,000 meals provided by “Kids Against Hunger International” and medical supplies for distribution by the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to health centers throughout Liberia.
Following the handover of humanitarian assistance in Monrovia, APS embarked on delivering medical services to Liberian communities, venturing for the first time, outside of Monrovia to Bomi and Margibi Counties. Between September 7 and 15, the APS medical, ophthalmology, and dental teams worked with their Liberian counterparts at several health clinics, including the Redemption Hospital, Duport Road Health Clinic, Barnesville Health Center, Marshall Island Health Center and the Tubmanburg Government Hospital in Bomi County. At each site ordinary Liberians received health screening, medical, dental and eye exams, and fitting for prescription eyewear. Veterinary care was included at some sites.
There are 15 U.S. Naval Construction Team Members (Seabees) that will remain in Liberia until November 30, 2009. They are here to construct two medical wards and a laundry facility at Redemption Hospital as well as minor improvement on several clinics in Liberia.
The APS is an international security cooperation initiative led by the U.S. Navy that works through partnerships to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa. Several US Naval Ships, including the “USS Fort McHenry” and “HSV Swift” have visited Liberia under the APS to deliver humanitarian assistance and undertake community and training projects.