BONG TO RECEIVE LIBERIAN ZAMBIAN-TRAINED OTOLOGIST AT C.B. DUNBAR HOSPITAL
By Matalay Kollie
January 28, 2025
GBARNGA: Bong County is set to welcome Naomi Smith, a Liberian Zambian-trained otologist, who will soon be assigned to C.B. Dunbar Hospital in Gbarnga. Smith is expected to commence her duties by mid-February 2025, providing specialized ear and hearing care services.
The announcement was made by Bishop K. Kortu Brown, Head Bishop of the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Brewserville, Monrovia. According to Bishop Brown, Smith was sponsored by Church Aid Liberia, the relief arm of the church, to undergo a ten-month specialized training in otology in Lusaka, Zambia, beginning in February 2024.
Otology is a medical specialty focusing on diagnosing and treating ear-related disorders, including hearing loss, infections, balance disorders, and congenital ear conditions. After completing her studies in Zambia, Smith will take up her new role at C.B. Dunbar Hospital, where she will provide essential medical support to individuals suffering from hearing impairments. Speaking in a telephone interview on Monday, January 27, 2025, Smith expressed gratitude to Church Aid Liberia and the administration of the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church for the opportunity to specialize in otology.
She urged residents of Bong and neighboring counties to take advantage of her expertise by visiting the hospital for hearing tests and treatment. Smith also assured those with hearing impairments, particularly individuals who have experienced severe hearing loss, that appropriate hearing devices and medical interventions could help restore their hearing.
She emphasized that the cost of treatment and hearing aids would remain affordable, ensuring accessibility for those in need. In March 2024, Church Aid Liberia, in collaboration with the Starkey Foundation and the Ministry of Health, launched a “Free Ear Treatment” campaign in Gbatala, Lower Bong County, to promote hearing healthcare.
The initiative saw a large turnout of residents benefiting from free medical outreach services, with calls for similar initiatives to be extended across Liberia. Beyond Gbatala, Church Aid Liberia has conducted several free medical outreach programs for individuals with hearing impairments across Montserrado and other counties, reinforcing its commitment to improving hearing healthcare in Liberia.
