THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE
CASES FROM LIBERIA
BEN CONSTANCE, MD
Liberia
1 USD = 72 LD
Early Tribes
• West migration in 12th
century AD
• 16 distinct ethnic groups
• 1461 Portuguese
explorers found pepper
• 1602 Dutch trading post
at Grand Cape Mount
• 1663 British trading post
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Slave trade
• 1800s – America grew
intolerant of slave trade
• 1821 American
Colonization Society
developed Liberia for
settlement of freed slaves
• 1847 Liberia declared an
independent free nation
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Americo-Liberia Settlers
• Elite class AmericoLiberians ruled over the
95% indigenous
majority
• Separate culture, lighter
skin, Western culture
• 1878 True Whig Party
rule until 1980
• 1912-1920 internal
wars
1800
1850
1900
Joseph Roberts
first president 1840-1850
1950
2000
2011
Bloody Overthrow
• 1926 Firestone 100 year
contract granted
• Foreign investors remove
natural resources
• 1980 indigenous Liberians
overthrow government and
create Redemption Council
• Samuel K Doe executed
president Tolbert and
members of the cabinet
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Charles Taylor
• Tribes oppressed by
Doe in the North
• Critical aid cut off
• Growing tensions
• 1990 a militia under
Charles Taylor lead to
full tribal warfare
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
National Patriotic Front of Liberia
(NPFL)
• Thousands of Gio and
Mano tribal soldiers
joined Taylor
• June 1990 invaded the
capitol
• December 1990 Doe
assassinated
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Civil War
• 1993 United Nations
enters Liberia
• 1994 Peace agreement
of Accra until 1996
• Taylor “won”
presidential elections of
1997
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Liberian United For Reconciliation and
Democracy (LURD)
• 1990s weapons &
diamond trade with Sierra
Leone
• 1999 LURD in the North
• April 2000 fighting starts
• 2002 LURD supported by
Guinea and Sierra Leone
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Women’s Movement and Ceasefire
• 2002 Women in Peace
building Network
(WIPNET)
• Joint Muslim and
Christian “Mass Action for
Peace”
• 2003 Women’s delegation
to Ghana
• Peace achieved after 14
years of civil war
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Peace and Democracy
• Aug 2003 – 2 year
transitional government
formed
• Oct 2003 – UNMIL took
over peacekeeping
• 2004 – 100,000 excombatants disarmed
• Oct 2005 – Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf elected first female
Liberian President
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Race for Presidency 2011
• Sep 2011 referendum
passed
• Elections slated for Nov
2011
• Current race between
UP and the CDC
• Tensions again high
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
2011
Health Statistics
• (WHO) world’s highest infant mortality rate
• 12.9% HIV prevalence rate among 15-25 y/o
pregnant women
• Malaria prevalence rate of 56.9% and
mortality rate of 14.1%
• Estimated only 40% TB cases diagnosed and
treated
Health Statistics
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31% immunization rate
30% all major hospitals reduced to clinics
70% all major hospitals closed
237 physicians pre-ward reduced to <50
HEARTT
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Health Education and Relief Through Training
JFK teaching hospital in Monrovia
Fee for service model
Provision of healthcare, teaching, research &
community outreach
Pathology
Pathology
JFK Medical Center
• Largest hospital
• Limited capacity
• “ED”, medicine, peds,
general surgery,
OB/GYN
• Fee-for-service model
• Children <5 free
• CBC, micro, UA,
chemistry, basic XR
• One ultrasound
Emergency Department
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Medical & Surgical side
Open 24/7
MD staffing 9 to 5
HEARTT, interns, PAs
26 medical beds
Urine dip, Upreg, RBS
Average LOS 3-5 days
Written permission for photo use on file
Robertsport
Kendeja Beach Resort
Waterside Market
Liberian Crafts
Thinker’s Beach
Robertsport Surfing Competition
Liberian Art
My Birthday at Sajj House
THANK
YOU