Mental Health Rehabilitation Project for Liberia

Mental Health Rehabilitation Project For Liberia
               
Please Let's Help Support a Mental Health Project in Liberia, West Africa

June 15th, 2019

My name is Sayo L. B. Dukuly. I was born in Sanniquellie, Nimba County in the Republic of
Liberia. I arrived in Australia as a refugee and went to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in
Nursing from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). In 2017, I obtained a Master of
Mental Health Nursing from the University of Wollongong. I am a specialist in Mental Health
Nursing. I have ten years of experience in Mental Health. I have worked over two years in
general nursing practice at the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and various hopsitals across New
South Wales. I have also worked as a Psychiatrist Nurse at the Cumberland Mental Health
Hospital for six years. I am currently working at the Mental Health Intensive Care Unit
(MHICU) with the Northern Sydney Local Health District as a Clinical Nurse Specialist-Grade 2.

Project Summary
Liberia was established during the 19th century after the resettlement of the freed black
slaves from America.  Liberia is located on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa. Liberia is one
of the poorest countries in Africa. Liberia experienced over a decade of brutal war which has
left thousands of people with untreated mental health related problems. Research shows that
2 in 10 Liberians suffer a mild to moderate mental health problem (WHO,2016).  During the
Liberian civil war drugs became an integral part of the Liberian wartime culture. Child soldiers
and other combatants became addicted to cocaine, khat, and other illicit drugs. Several warlords
felt that cocaine or other illicit drugs made soldiers more effective in battle (The VICE Guide to
Liberia, 2014). The civil war also claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and destroyed our
health and educational systems completely.

In 2014, as the nation slowly recovered from the long and brutal civil war, we were faced with
one of the biggest outbreaks of the Ebola virus in Africa. The outbreak affected Liberia, Guinea
Republic and Sierra Leone, killing over 10,000 people, mainly in Liberia (BBC,2014). The
outbreak had severe impact on our already struggling health system. The psychological impact
of the Ebola virus outbreak and the civil war has contributed to a mental crisis in Liberia. This
has indeed been intensified by the misconceptions, stigma, and the resulting discriminations
surrounding mental illness in Africa. The lack of mental health care training for health
professionals; and inadequate equipment and supplies of necessary medications has made
the situation even more appalling.

In 2016, the country has only one registered psychiatrist and, until recently, the vast majority
of health workers had no or a limited understanding of mental illness (WHO, 2016). This shows
that mental health issue is a serious health problem in Liberia. Liberia has an estimated
population of 4.4 million people; of this, there are currently three psychiatrists to meet the
needs of at least 300,000 Liberians suffering from mental illnesses (Carter Centre, 2016).
While most county now has a mental health clinician, there remains a need to build services
in places with immense treatment gaps.

The largest concentration of Carter-trained clinician, 54, serves residents in Montserrado
County, where the capital Monrovia is located. This means remote areas in some counties
like Sanoe, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, River Gee and Grand Kru do not have mental health clinician
(Carter Center, 2016). Now one can clearly understand the full needs for such Mental Health
Project for a country like Liberia which has greatly suffered from the impact of both the civil
war and Ebola virus outbreak.

I know the government alone cannot solve the problem. As a Liberian, I do believe that we all
have a responsibility to help improve our country's struggling health system including other
affected sectors. This is why I have decided to embark on this project as my area of expertise
and skills to go and help my fellow Liberians who are seriously in need of my service. The help
for our brothers and sisters (fellow Liberians) is long overdue and I am kindly encouraging
everyone of reading this post to help/join me fix the problem.

The ultimate goal for my project is to build a thirty-bedded mental health center/facility in
Liberia to cater to those suffering from mental illness. The 10 beds will be allocated for acute
cases, another 10 beds for sub-acute cases and remaining 5 beds for rehabilitation/counselling
services for individuals/ families. Another set of 5 rooms for offices and examination rooms.

The acquisition of a land and the construction of a center are estimated to be around
$500,000.00 Australian Dollars. This does not include the medical equipment, supplies or
antipsychotic medications. This is just the right step in the  right direction as it is the beginning
of a huge future project to help fix our declining mental health system in Liberia.

I will return to Liberia with my qualifications, skills and expertise to lead the project. I am sure;
this will help improve our struggling health system especially in mental health. I know that I can
not undertake this project alone. Therefore, I am kindly appealing to each and everyone of you
as an individual, group, government entity, NGO, religious, non-religious, business or charity
organization for their generous donations in cash or hospital equipment and supplies to help
alleviate the sufferings on the people with mental health issues in Liberia. For example, I will
take any reusable medical equipment such hospital beds, Blood Pressure machines,
stethoscope, X-Ray machines, computers, photocopying machines, hospital linens, patients
gowns etc.  To donate, please go on "gofundme" website, search for my name "Sayo Dukuly",  
"hit" the donate bottom and you can put in any amount you wish to give to the project.
Alternatively, feel free to contact me for any other form of donations whether with equipment
or supplies. 

I will also appreciate referrals to other donors that you think might be of great help to this
project. Funds raised will directly be used to acquire the land and build the center in Liberia
and every update will be public.

I would to kindly acknowledge the generous donations of over $350,000.00 worth of some
medical equipment and supplies by MedEarth Australia. My heartfelt thanks and appreciations
go to Med Earth Australia and my people in Liberia will be proud of your generosity.  Please
find few photos of the donations attached.

Progress reports will be sent to donors as project unfolds. Please do not hesitate to contact
me if you have any questions.

Thank all of you for your cash donations via "gofundme" account and I appreciate it from
you with all my heart.

Contact details as follows:

Work email: [email redacted].gov.au
Work Number: (+61)02 9477 1000
Private email: [email redacted]
Mob: (+61)0413417518