–Pregnant Women Plead for Basic Care in Marley Town, Nimba
By Shallon S. Gonlor
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and elderly residents of Marley Town in Electoral District #6, Nimba County, are appealing to the Government of Liberia and their elected lawmaker to urgently intervene in addressing the lack of a healthcare facility and deplorable road conditions that continue to expose residents to serious health risks and economic hardship.
Residents say the absence of a health center in their community, which has an estimated population of more than 3,000 people, has forced them to travel approximately 45 minutes by commercial motorbike to Gray Township in Electoral District #9 to access basic medical services, including antenatal checkups, treatment for common illnesses, and emergency healthcare.
According to residents, the journey from Marley Town to Gray Township costs between L$500 and L$700 in transportation fees, depending on the circumstances and road conditions. The cost has reportedly become an additional financial burden for families, particularly pregnant women who require regular medical examinations throughout their pregnancies.
The situation, residents say, becomes increasingly difficult during the rainy season, when sections of the road deteriorate, bridges become flooded, and muddy stretches make transportation extremely challenging.
Marley Town is located in Electoral District #6, represented by Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia at the 55th Legislature of Liberia.
Marthaline Fredrick, a pregnant resident expressed frustration over the prolonged absence of a healthcare facility, describing the situation as a major threat to the well-being of women, children, and elderly people in the community.
She explained that pregnant women are compelled to travel to Gray Township for routine antenatal examinations, while parents must also find transportation and money whenever their children develop common illnesses requiring medical attention.
“Pregnant women, children, and elderly people have to leave Marley Town and go to Gray Township for medical checkups and treatment because there is no clinic in our town. From Marley Town to Gray Township, we pay between L$500 and L$700 during both the rainy and dry seasons,” Ms. Fredrick lamented.
She said it was disappointing that a community with such a large population continues to lack a basic healthcare facility, forcing residents to depend entirely on neighboring communities for essential medical services.
“I feel frustrated because Marley Town is a very big community, yet we do not have a clinic. It is really affecting us. As pregnant women, we need constant medical checkups, and our children also need medical attention. Even when a child develops a fever, we have to carry the child all the way to Gray Township and spend money on transportation,” she added.
Ms. Fredrick further described the road network as another major obstacle, particularly during the rainy season, when the route becomes increasingly deplorable and difficult to navigate.
She appealed to the Government of Liberia, particularly their district lawmaker, Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia, to intervene by facilitating the construction of a health center and improving the road network to ease the suffering of residents.
Meanwhile, Florence N. Karngbay, a mother of three, said the lack of a nearby healthcare facility has placed pregnant women in extremely difficult circumstances, with some reportedly forced to deliver their babies at home, in nearby bushes, or along the roadside while attempting to reach medical assistance in Gray Township.
Madam Karngbay warned that the combination of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and poor road conditions poses a serious threat to the lives of expectant mothers and newborn babies.
She explained that when pregnant women experience labor pains, the difficulty of securing transportation and navigating the deplorable road can cause dangerous delays in reaching a health facility.
According to her, some women risk delivering their babies before reaching the nearest healthcare center, exposing both mothers and newborns to potentially life-threatening complications.
“Pregnant women in this town, when labor pains begin, face serious difficulties because of the bad road conditions. They risk losing their lives or their babies because it is not easy to get to a health facility on time,” Ms. Karngbay said.
She called on national authorities to prioritize the establishment of a health center in Marley Town, stressing that residents should not continue to endure such difficulties in accessing basic maternal and child healthcare.
Poor Roads Deepen Poverty, Disrupt Economic Activities
Beyond the healthcare crisis, residents say the deplorable road network has also contributed to economic stagnation, undermining agricultural activities and limiting opportunities for local development.
Agriculture remains a major source of livelihood for many families in Marley Town. However, farmers and traders reportedly face considerable difficulties transporting their agricultural produce and other locally manufactured goods to nearby markets because of the poor condition of the roads.
Residents further disclosed that heavy-duty trucks, commercial vehicles, and market women are frequently stranded for days when sections of the highway become covered with deep mud or when bridges are flooded during periods of heavy rainfall.
The situation reportedly disrupts the movement of people and goods, increases transportation costs, delays the delivery of agricultural products, and exposes traders to potential financial losses.
For market women, the challenges are particularly frustrating, as delays in transporting perishable agricultural products can reduce their market value and affect the income needed to support their families.
Residents believe that the deteriorating road conditions have continued to isolate the community from important economic opportunities, contributing to poverty and limiting the movement of agricultural products to major commercial centers.
They argue that improving the road network would not only ease transportation but also strengthen agricultural trade, improve access to healthcare and education, and create opportunities for economic growth.
For the more than 3,000 residents of Marley Town, the situation represents more than an infrastructure challenge. It is a growing concern about access to essential public services, economic survival, maternal health, and the safety of their families.
