The people of Rock Crusher village celebrated the handover of the first ever clinic in their area with a spontaneous song of praise. “We tell God thanks” they sung in Bassa in March this year. Sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Millennium Village Project, the clinic will provide primary health care services to over 16,000 inhabitants of the Rock Crusher Community in Bong County and residents of Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties. 

Nyenpu, a pregnant 21 year old, said the new clinic brings her a sense of relief. “I was really worried as to how it was going to be for me when pain grab me knowing there is no clinic. But now that we have a clinic right in our community, all I can say now is that my worry is over.”

With tears rolling down her face, Korpo, an elderly woman, recalled needless deaths in the past when there was no health facility. “Sometimes while walking or carrying a patient in a hammock for hours, the sick person would die on the way. I have seen such things happen as a girl growing up and an old lady as I am today.”
James Gbeme, an elderly resident, could not help but smile with joy at the new development. “We just don’t know what to say. This is a big-big day for us,” he said adding that “this day has brought not only joy but also unity in this area. “

Martha, 42, also talked about the hardships of the past. “We used to walk up to eight hours to get to the nearest health centre in Gbekon. Sometimes the journey to the health facilities would end in death,” she said.

Ma Korpo said the moment gave her a sense of personal vindication. “I always thought that one day we will have a clinic of our own in this town,” she said.
A group of youths roamed the town singing in joyous celebration of their new clinic. Big Boy Sumo said they were really happy that at long last the people of Rock Crusher now have a clinic. “We are so happy today for what is happening in this our area,” Sumo said.

“Health care contributes to the growth and development of any society, therefore the UNDP is happy to be a part of the construction of the first clinic in this community,” said Stephen Kolee, the UNDP project coordinator.
Lucia Herbert, Bong County Superintendent, called on the people of Rock Crusher to take ownership of the clinic by helping in the smooth operation of the health facility.

“This clinic is for you the people of Rock Crusher, please help to keep the clinic clean by taking up time to brush around it whenever we notice that the grass is overgrowing around this facility,” she said.

John Glekai of the Bong County Health Team thanked the people of Kokoyah District for working with the UNDP and the County Health Team to ensure the completion of the project. “This is the result of hard work and commitment on the part of the people of Kokoyah and UNDP and other partners.” He described the clinic as a “very big and great gift” and commended UNDP saying: “We are very proud of UNDP for this initiative. This is a meaningful intervention in the health sector.”

With an estimated cost of US$ 120,000, the clinic includes an out-patient department and a maternity ward. A tower is currently being constructed at the site to boost communications. This is the second clinic constructed under UNDP Kokoyah Millennium Village Project. The first beneficiary was Yolo Town which obtained both an ambulance and clinic.

The KMVP project runs from 2008-2013 and is supported by the Government of Norway. It aims to transform the lives of rural people by helping them run small-scale commercial enterprises and support the villages to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015.