BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County — The Joint Legislative Committee on Health of the 55th National Legislature has taken its nationwide assessment of government health facilities to Grand Bassa and River Cess counties, gathering firsthand information on healthcare delivery challenges and progress ahead of the 2027 national budget.
The assessment is being led by Committee Chairperson Senator Dabah M. Varpilah of Grand Cape Mount County and is intended to give lawmakers a clearer picture of conditions at government health facilities beyond information contained in official reports.
During the visits, members of the committee engaged County Health Teams and local authorities on staffing, budget implementation, medical supplies, logistics, health infrastructure and the availability of essential services.
Senator Varpilah said the exercise is designed to establish the actual conditions confronting healthcare providers and communities while identifying priorities that should inform the Legislature’s consideration of the 2027 national budget.
“We want to see beyond the written reports, understand the realities at government health facilities and engage County Health Teams on their priorities ahead of the next fiscal year,” Senator Varpilah said.
The committee is also examining the longstanding issue of volunteer health workers, including their numbers, working conditions and prospects for formal employment. Other areas under review include funding gaps, logistical constraints, ongoing health projects and the delivery of services to residents in the counties.
“We are here to establish the facts, understand the context, and ensure that our 2027 budget decisions are informed by what is happening on the ground,” Varpilah stated.
In Grand Bassa, county health authorities identified the high number of volunteer workers, inadequate logistical support and limited funding among the major challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
Officials also noted that some volunteer health workers have been employed since January 2026, while calling for additional recruitment and increased health-sector allocations in the upcoming national budget.
Grand Bassa County Superintendent Garyou Johnson, meanwhile, highlighted several government-funded developments in the county, including the construction of a modern referral hospital, upgrades to government health facilities and increased budgetary support.
The delegation also proceeded to River Cess County as part of the broader assessment, where lawmakers continued engagements with health authorities and examined the conditions and needs of government health facilities.
Members of the delegation include Senators Numene Bartekwa of Grand Kru, Johnny Kpehe of Bong County, Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu County, Wellington Geevon-Smith of River Cess County, Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County, and Representative Sampson Weah of River Gee County.
The information gathered from Grand Bassa, River Cess and other counties to be visited is expected to help the committee identify critical gaps, document ongoing interventions and make recommendations for consideration during deliberations on the 2027 national budget.
