Firestone Celebrates Reopening Of Duside Hospital
HARBEL, Liberia, West Africa (Dec. 12, 2008) — Today Firestone Liberia celebrated the official reopening of the Firestone Medical Center at Duside as an inpatient facility. Several VIP guests attended the one-hour ceremony held today to commemorate this milestone, including Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and U.S. Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
During Liberia’s 14-year civil war, the hospital was severely damaged and all of its medical equipment was either stolen or destroyed. The rebuilding and reopening of the hospital represents the fulfillment of one of Firestone Liberia’s commitments to the nation of Liberia under its investment agreement with the country.
The President of Firestone Natural Rubber Company, Dan Adomitis, was also in Liberia to celebrate the reopening of the Firestone Medical Center. “This is a major milestone for the people of Liberia, as well as for Firestone Liberia,” Adomitis said. “We continue to stay focused and committed to the rebuilding of a country devastated by the civil war.”
According to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lyndon G. Mabande, the Firestone Medical Center has been improved considerably beyond its prewar status. He said the large capacity of the building, which is designed to support 300 beds, will allow the medical personnel to provide better health care services to the people of Liberia.
Mabande said the renovated Firestone Medical Center will offer a range of health care services including general surgery, prenatal service and vaccinations. “We have an eye doctor, a gynecologist, one who deals with general medicine and many more who are a part of our team,” said Mabande. The company has also invested in new medical and diagnostic equipment, operating rooms, a laboratory and a pharmacy.
Firestone Liberia partners with UNICEF and the Liberian Ministry of Health to store and administer vaccines that help protect Liberians from a range of diseases. The company provides health care to its employees and their dependents at no charge to them. The facility will also serve the needs of the surrounding community. Firestone Liberia medical facilities receive approximately 9,000 patient visits a month.
About Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC:
The Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC traces its origins back to 1926 when The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company first established a natural rubber production facility in Liberia, West Africa. The company operates a 118,000-acre rubber growing and processing facility, employing approximately 7,000 teammates who harvest and process natural rubber and latex. After processing, the natural rubber (dry rubber and liquid latex) is shipped to the United States. The dry rubber is used by Bridgestone Americas’ (Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products’ (BFDP) parent company) tire plants throughout North America in the manufacture of tires. The latex is sold to third party North American manufacturers of dipped goods, adhesives and carpet backing. Firestone is North America’s leading supplier of natural latex concentrate. The Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC is a subsidiary of BFDP.
About Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products:
Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP) is based in Indianapolis, Ind., and is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH). BFDP is responsible for BSAH’s non-tire businesses, including building and industrial products, synthetic polymers, natural and synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.