Lutheran Development Service (LDS) recently presented a donation of medical items to Phebe Hospital in Bong County worth over 4,000 United States dollars. The donation aims to support the Hospital in attending to victims from the Totota Tanker explosion who are receiving treatment in the hospital facilities. Sadly, on December 26, 2023, it can be recalled, that a Fuel tanker truck accidentally fell in Totota, Bong County causing the loss of many lives including women and children who were mostly residents of the Totota community.
During the presentation, the Executive Director of Lutheran Development Service, (LDS) Mr. Augustine S. Laveleh expressed proud in been part of the process of giving support to victims of the Totota Tanker tragedy. ” For and on behalf of the Lutheran Development Service, we are proud to be apart of this process, I remembered when that incident took place, we came here and I even talked to the Medical Director about the situation that was happening”. He also went on to extend thanks to the executive Director of CHAL. ” So, we want to also thank you, executive Directive for CHAL. You have always been a partner to LDS. Even during the COVID, you were the one we hire to for your expertise in the area of health and you performed to the satisfaction of the donor”. He concluded by presenting the supplies to the Rev Dr. G. Victor Padmore.
Meanwhile, Rev Padmore began by extending his appreciation to Lutheran Development Service. ” I want to say thanks to all of you but my first, thanks goes to Phebe Hospital. I want to say thank you and your staffs for all that you did in those critical and difficult time”. He also when further by stressing the need to equip the hospital. ” If Phebe had been equipped, the number of persons who die would not have die. You would have contain or taking care of them. Again, thank you very much. I know it is not very much enough but our scripture song says, Little is Much when God is in it. I want to say thank you and continue your services to the people of Bong County and Liberia and even outside of Liberia” He concluded. Also, the Medical Director and CEO of the Hospital Dr. Minnie Sankawulo-Ricks expressed her appreciation to LDS for the gesture. “For and on behalf of the Phebe Hospital, the Board of Trustees, Administration, Staff, even the Patience, and the people of Bong County, I want to thank you for this kind gesture. It is said that in time of trouble you know your friends”. She also went further to say that the gesture from LDS has a huge impact on the hospital and is accepted with whole heart. Dr. Sankawulo-Ricks also highlighted the uniqueness of the gesture in her comments.” The uniqueness of this gesture is that we where asked for what we wanted. We chose what we wanted”. She concluded.
The Totota Tanker Explosion currently remain a tragedy in the country’s history. This sad even claimed the lives of over 40 persons and leaving many others injure including women and children. Totota as a community still mourns and regret the situation.