Fighting Disease

Poor sanitation continues to be a problem throughout the nation of Liberia, but even more so in the overcrowded prisons.  These sub-standard conditions have caused many diseases, including a recent outbreak of Chicken Pox in Monrovia Central Prison, which has recently seen its inmate population grow from 300 to 900.  Recognizing the dangers of an outbreak of a contagious disease, PF Liberia took immediate action to help contain it.  First they helped to separate out the infected prisoners to another cell block and then PF volunteers cleaned and sterilized the cells, septic tank, corridors and bathrooms.  With financial assistance from PFI, PF Liberia then purchased antibiotics, vitamins and other medicines, along with detergents and laundry soap for the entire population to prevent further outbreaks.  Finally, PF staff and volunteers educated inmates on good hygiene to further protect their health.  “After vigorously running here and there to find solutions to the problem that was damaging to the health of inmates at Monrovia Central Prison, we want to say thanks to God and PFI for ably handing the situation with urgency to save lives,” said Francis Kollie, PF Liberia Executive Director.