The Ambassador of Neglected Tropical Diseases under the Ministry of Health has donated several pieces of mattresses to the Suakoko Leprosy Rehabilitation Center.
Dr. Evelyn Kandakai said the donation was her own way of identifying with lepers at the Leprosy Center.
The Leprosy Rehabilitation Center in Suakoko was set up during the regime of late President William V.S. Tubman for those who, unable to overcome the fear and pressure of patriarchal society, were taken away from their husbands, wives and children when the relationship became unbearable because of their condition.
They were being fed and treated on regular basis through a Canadian charity until the civil war broke out in late 1989.
This scheme has however become inactive for several years leaving the leper patients at the center to survive at the mercy of God.
The Suakoko Leprosy Rehabilitation Center which currently has over 65 lepers with over 150 dependents was established during the regime of President William V.S Tubman when leprosy patients were collected from around the country to undergo rehabilitation and treatment at the expense of government.
But now some of the lepers complain of government’s apparent insensitivity to their plight, saying there were no visible signs of possible assistance to them.
Dr. Evelyn Kandakai as an ambassador of Neglected Tropical Diseases said she will keep advocating for those in need of health attention who voices are not heard.
Dr. Evelyn Kandakai added that she has earlier made a promise to the lepers when she was taken there by former Bong County Health Officer Dr. Gabriel Logan to introduce her as the Ambassador for Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The former Education Minister told The MONROVIA TIMES Bong County Correspondent that she is glad to be given the opportunity to serve vulnerable people on a pro bono basis.
She believes more needs to be done to improve the well being of people who are affected by tropical diseases.
The former Cuttington University President Dr. Kandakai vowed that she will continue to advocate for those in need in Bong County and the Country can get something for themselves.
She believes that by doing that will give hope to those downtrodden in the Country.
Receiving the mattresses, residents of the Suakoko Leprosy Rehabilitation Center praised Dr. Evelyn Kandakai for thinking about them.
Authorities of the center said the mattresses provided by the Neglected Tropical Diseases Ambassador will be given to those who are among the most vulnerable.
“We have been lying down on the ground here and seeing Mrs. Kandakai coming with mattresses is something we really want to say thanks to her for the kind gesture.”
The downtrodden at the same used the medium to called well-meaning citizens in the county and the country to come to their aid.
