During the Canonical Visit to Monrovia, the General Government accompanied the Sisters and collaborators of St Benedict Menni Health Centre, reaffirming the Congregation’s commitment to person-centred, integrated care in Liberia.
From 23 to 28 February, the Canonical Visit to the centres of the English Delegation continued in Monrovia, Liberia. Sr M. Antonia Guerra, General Bursar, and Sr M. del Carmen Martín, General Councillor, spent several days accompanying the local community and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities and priorities of the hospitaller mission in this context.
They were joined by Sr Lourdes Sanz, Superior of the English Delegation, and Sr Mary Ann Curimatmat, Bursar of the Delegation, whose support and translation facilitated dialogue and reflection throughout the visit.
Managed by the Sisters Hospitallers and operating within the Archdiocese of Monrovia, St Benedict Menni Health Centre provides a comprehensive response to local healthcare needs through two complementary services.
The Clinic plays a vital role in community health. It delivers emergency care, pharmacy services, maternal and child health programmes, diagnostic services and immunisation (EPI). It also offers specialised treatment for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV, including established ART programmes that ensure continuity of care for vulnerable patients.
Alongside this, the Maria Josefa Recio Mental Health Centre is dedicated exclusively to women. It provides rehabilitation and support for those experiencing mental and neurological conditions, as well as structured programmes addressing detoxification and substance dependency. In a context where access to mental health services remains limited, this centre represents a dignified and essential space for recovery.
The Canonical Visit offered an opportunity to observe first-hand a model of care that places the person at the centre of every intervention. Medical and nursing support are integrated with psychosocial, occupational and recreational therapies, ensuring that care addresses the whole person.
Particular attention was given to the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) management programme, which responds to emerging challenges related to addiction. Continuity of care is further strengthened through outpatient consultations and a committed programme of weekly home visits, supporting patients beyond discharge and promoting sustainable recovery within their communities.
This integrated approach reflects the Hospitaller Model of Care, where professional excellence is inseparable from compassion, respect and the defence of human dignity.
Beyond reviewing services and programmes, the Visit prioritised listening and encounter. Meetings with Sisters and collaborators created space for dialogue, shared reflection and mutual encouragement. The visitors were able to affirm the coherence between daily practice and the identity that shapes the Congregation’s mission.
The programme also included an opportunity to greet the Brothers of St John of God and to learn about the service they provide at St Joseph’s Hospital in Liberia.
As this stage of the Canonical Visit concluded, the Sisters expressed their sincere gratitude to the community in Monrovia. The dedication of staff, collaborators and Sisters stands as a living testimony to the mission entrusted to the Congregation: to offer healing, hope and dignity to those most in need.
