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'Our patients are going to die'
29/07/2003 19:17 - (SA)
Monrovia - Medicines, food and fuel supplies are fast running out at the main hospital in war-battered Monrovia, putting at risk the lives of hundreds of patients, a senior doctor warned on Tuesday.
"We are rapidly depleting our stocks of medicines, fuel for the generator and food," said Mohamed Sheriff, chief medical officer at the JFK Hospital.
"If nothing is done soon, all the patients are going to die," he said, adding that current supplies could keep the hospital up and running for about three weeks.
"There are already about 40 bodies in the morgue," he said. "Between four and six bodies are piled on each tray."
The JFK hospital is now the only facility with a functional surgical ward in the Liberian capital, under rebel assault since early last month.
Sheriff said the hospital was treating about 340 patients of whom about 30 were in critical condition, adding that more patients were pouring in daily.
"We need help fast," he said, noting: "The airport is functioning. The international community should urgently send us stocks and more manpower. Right now there are only eight doctors here and we are working round-the-clock."
- AFX
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