Residents of Buchanan and surrounding communities are lauding ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for extending free, high-quality healthcare services to the public through the Stephen A. Tolbert Memorial Hospital. Once reserved for AML employees and their dependents, the hospital’s services are now available to all, marking a significant shift in the company’s community engagement strategy.
Originally established to serve AML’s workforce, the facility’s Outpatient Department (OPD) now welcomes members of the general public without restriction—offering comprehensive medical care at no cost. The expansion is part of AML’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which seeks to improve living standards in the regions where the company operates.
Local testimonials highlight the growing trust in the hospital’s services. Angeline Neese, a mother from the Sawmill Community, shared her experience: “I brought my baby to the hospital. This is my second visit, and both times we received quality care.”
Mercy Zahn Gboe of Flower Mill recounted how the hospital’s reputation spread through her family: “My cousin brought her child here and was very satisfied with the care. Later, my dad brought my younger brother, and he received all the medicines he needed—free of charge.”
Gladis Cooper from Kaytor Town emphasized the hospital’s inclusivity: “Even though our husbands don’t work for AML, we are welcomed here. The staff treat us with respect and give us good care at no cost.”
These firsthand accounts underscore the hospital’s evolving role as a critical health resource for the wider community.
According to Dr. Garfee Williams, AML’s Chief Medical Officer, non-AML patients now comprise the majority of hospital visitors. “Of the 339 consultations recorded last week, 53 percent—180 individuals—were from the general public. AML staff accounted for just 6 percent (20 patients), dependents for 19 percent (64), and 22 percent (75) were contractors, subcontractors, and Phase Two Project employees,” he noted.
To maintain service quality, AML employs a data-driven approach to medical inventory management, ensuring that essential medicines and supplies are regularly replenished in line with real-time patient needs.
Fully aligned with Ministry of Health regulations, the hospital provides both preventive and curative services. These include public health education, immunizations, antenatal and family planning care, diagnostics (such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and lab tests), and treatment for infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The hospital also offers surgical care, with more than 11 successful operations performed in the past month alone.
Dr. Williams reiterated AML’s commitment to continuous healthcare improvement: “The AML hospital system is evolving. We are committed to expanding services and enhancing quality to meet the growing needs of our employees, their families, and the broader community.”
This expansion of access to free healthcare reflects AML’s broader mission—not only to lead in Liberia’s economic development, but also to make meaningful investments in the health and well-being of its host communities.
