By Amos Harris
IPNEWS: Montserrado County District #14 Representative, Hon. Muka Kamara, has sharply criticized the government for what he describes as years of neglect toward the Clara Town Health Center
The district’s only public health facility, which continues to operate on a meager US$20,000 annual budget despite serving over 60,000 residents.
Appearing before plenary on Tuesday, Rep. Kamara expressed frustration that the center’s budget has remained stagnant at a time when the national budget has ballooned from US$880 million in FY2025 to a proposed US$1.2 billion in FY2026.
“How can a health facility that caters to tens of thousands survive on only US$20,000 when the national budget keeps increasing every year” the lawmaker asked, describing the situation as “a direct threat to public health and human dignity.”
According to his formal communication, the Clara Town Health Center (BL:263375) faces severe operational constraints, including chronic drug shortages, inadequate staffing, and deteriorating infrastructure.
These challenges, he said, have undermined the center’s ability to respond to the healthcare needs of the densely populated Bushrod Island corridor.
Rep. Kamara warned that without intervention, the district risks a worsening health crisis.
“The Clara Town Health Center urgently requires expanded resources to keep medicine in stock, improve service delivery, upgrade infrastructure, and increase staff capacity.
Our people cannot continue suffering because of budgetary indifference,” he added.
To address the situation, the District #14 lawmaker is urging the Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget to increase the center’s budgetary allotment from US$20,000 to US$70,000 beginning FY2026.
He stressed that the proposed increment “is not a luxury but an essential investment in public health.”
Following intense discussions, the House mandated the budget committee to review Kamara’s proposal and report back with recommendations.
If approved, the new allocation would mark the first major investment in District #14’s healthcare system in years, offering renewed hope to thousands of residents who depend exclusively on the struggling Clara Town Health Center for medical services.
