Church of Jesus Christ renovates rural maternal clinic in Africa

Arthington, Liberia — Residents of Arthington, a small rural community outside Monrovia, gathered this week to celebrate the opening of their newly renovated health clinic—an upgrade local leaders say will directly strengthen care for mothers and newborns. The facility, refurbished and expanded with support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now features a dedicated maternity ward, improved sanitation systems, and essential medical equipment that the clinic had long gone without.

For years, the Arthington Clinic operated with deteriorating infrastructure and chronic shortages of basic supplies. Health workers often struggled to maintain sanitary conditions, a challenge that posed serious risks for women giving birth and for newborns vulnerable to infection. The Liberian Ministry of Health, familiar with the Church’s humanitarian work in the country, requested assistance to help stabilize services in the area.

The renovation project included rebuilding the clinic’s water and sanitation facilities, constructing new patient spaces, and supplying tools needed for safer deliveries. At a handover ceremony attended by government officials, community members, and Church representatives, local leaders described the upgrades as a turning point for families who previously faced long travel times or unsafe conditions to access care.

“This is more than a building—it’s an investment in the future of our community,” said Arthington Mayor Romeo R. Clarke, who recalled years of strained health services and thanked both the Ministry of Health and the Church for stepping in.

Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto echoed that sentiment, noting that improved maternal care remains a national priority. She praised the project as an example of effective partnership, saying it brought “hope, dignity, and better health outcomes” to one of Montserrado County’s most underserved areas.

Representatives of the Church emphasized that the project was funded through individual donations from members around the world, not government sources. Elder Adeyinka Ojediran, a regional Church leader, said the effort reflects a belief in “lifting burdens and serving neighbors,” a message that resonated with many attending the ceremony.

For the clinic’s staff, the improvements are more than symbolic. With new equipment, proper sanitation, and a functioning maternity ward, nurses say they can now offer mothers a safer environment for childbirth—something the community has lacked for far too long.

As the ribbon was cut and the renovated buildings opened for tours, residents expressed optimism that the project will reduce preventable health complications and bring long-needed stability to local care. For the families of Arthington, the new clinic marks a fresh start in a place where reliable healthcare has been out of reach for years.