Medical Assistance Program International (MAP), a global Christian health organization that partners with people living in conditions of poverty to save lives and develop healthier families and communities, has donated a consignment of drugs and medical supplies to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the Curran Lutheran Hospital in Lofa County in the amount of US$13.2 million United States dollars.

The turning over ceremony of the drugs and medical supplies by MAP International were held Monday, at the Central offices of the Ministry of Health in Monrovia.

Speaking during the program, MAP international President and CEO, Michael Nyenhuis said on May 20, 2013, two major shipments of vital medicines and supplies valued at US$13.2million dollars on the USA market arrived in the country which according to him was provided by MAP International in partnership with MedShares and International relief team.

According to him, MAP International has sent a first shipment of medicines that are estimated to assist over 250,000 people at Curran Lutheran Hospital in Zorzor, Lofa County; the Curran Lutheran Hospital according to him was founded in 1924 by Irish-American missionaries who adopted the mother of Rennie Curran, former University of Georgia linebacker, who plays for the Edmonton, Eskimo of the Canadian football league.

The MAP International CEO and President noted that the organization has a long history of working in the country primarily providing medical supplies and medicines to hospitals, clinics and Non Governmental Organizations that are involved with health programs.

He said the two containers are filled with general supplies of pharmaceuticals and equipments destined for the Curran Hospital to and would help fight the many health cases and while the other container is specifically targeted at combating a disease called Buruli Ulcer.

 “Buruli ulcer is a disease like leprosy or bacteria that support and lead to leprosy which eat the skin and muscles which become very traumatic if not treated with the medicines,” he explained.

Also speaking, the Consul General of Liberia in Georgia, Atlanta, Cynthia Blandford, extended gratitude to the President and CEO of MAP International on behalf of Liberia’s Ambassador to the US, Jeremiah Sulunteh, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the people of Liberia for the organization’s  humanitarian undertakings.

She said the donated medicine and medical supplies will assist in the government’s effort to provide quality health care to the Liberian people.

Madam Blandford further noted that the embassy of Liberia in Washington, USA, will assure MAP International of their preparedness to work with MAP International and other organizations so as to improve the conditions of the Liberian people.

For his part, the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Deputy Minister for Administration, Matthew Flomo stated that the mission of MAP international is to promote the total health people living in the world’s poorest communities by partnering to provide essential medicines, promote community health development, prevent and mitigate disease, disaster and other health threats.

According to him, the MOHSW is proud of to be partner with MAP International and will facilitate the delivery of the needed drugs and medical supplies throughout Liberia; he further admonished the organization to continue their good work for the people of Liberia.

Rennie Curran partnered with MAP International in Feb 2013 for an Art & Athletes Event, which raised funds for Buruli Ulcers in Liberia.