Our Work
Liberia faces a major lack of high-quality medical care. Unlike other countries that have the means to treat a range of medical needs, Liberian citizens often go untreated — even for minor injuries such as burns.
Most cooking is done over an open fire and usually involves boiling water. Children are often in the kitchen, and hot water wounds to children are widespread. Knowledge in Liberia about how to treat and care for burns is low and proper medical supplies are scarce or non-existent.
Treatment for major illnesses and physical ailments can be even harder to come by.
Liberians with Albinism (a condition where there is a complete absence of melanin in the skin) are prone to skin cancer and it has become a leading cause of death. Unfortunately, persons with Albinism are often marginalized and do not have access to good health care.
But Liberia Medical Relief is helping to address this lack of access. We administer medical care, and dispense medical and other supplies. We also train medical professionals on how to operate on and care for burn victims, orthopedic and cancer patients, and more.
In 2021, after hearing about our successful track record of providing quality medical supplies, and training and management leadership, Liberia Medical Relief was recruited by the nation’s president to help open the 14 Military Hospital in Schieffelin. The hospital has been open for one year and is becoming recognized as a hospital of choice, with perhaps the best-equipped operating room in the region. The medical staff is growing and training is ongoing. Services include Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. We’re planning to add Orthopedic Surgery and Urology services soon. Thanks to the help of donors, particularly in Minnesota, and partners such as Matter, the hospital continues to receive supplies.
In 2022, Liberia Medical Relief has been working to add more services and opportunities to our roster.
In partnership with the Liberian Albino Society, LMR will offer medical care to people with Albinism in Liberia. We plan to set up low-cost screening clinics and perform complex surgeries on those suffering from skin cancer.
Liberia Medical Relief also recently started a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery program. This program was led by Dr. Gregg Strathy, brother of Dr. Kevin Strathy. Gregg is a Mayo Clinic-trained surgeon with over 35 years of experience. He has performed similar surgeries and training in the Comoro Islands off the east coast of Africa. It is anticipated that he will return to continue this program.
Additionally, we are establishing a Visiting Professor Program. This program will be designed to bring in health care specialists from abroad with established reputations in both practice and teaching. They will work with Liberian post-graduate programs with the expectation that they will bring not only new and improved skills to Liberia, but educational and clinical tools as well.
The cost to support one professor, including travel and living expenses, is approximately $12,000.
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Liberia Medical Relief
Supporting the people of liberia