Duside Hospital
Hospital in Firestone, Margibi, Liberia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duside Hospital is a 300-bed general hospital located in Firestone District, Margibi County, Liberia. The hospital is operated by Firestone Liberia, a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation, and primarily serves workers, their families and surrounding communities associated with the Firestone Natural Rubber Company plantation. It is one of the largest medical facilities in Margibi County.
| Duside Hospital | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Firestone District, Margibi County, Liberia |
| Coordinates | 6.35000°N 10.46667°W |
| Organisation | |
| Type | General |
| Services | |
| Beds | 300 |
| History | |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Links | |
| Other links | List of hospitals in Liberia |
The hospital was established in 1957 as part of the healthcare infrastructure developed by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for employees of the Firestone rubber plantation, one of the largest rubber plantations in the world.[1]
History
Firestone plantation
Duside Hospital was established to serve the workforce of the Firestone rubber plantation. The plantation was created after the Government of Liberia granted a concession to the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1926 to cultivate rubber for export.[2]
The concession led to the development of a large plantation community in Firestone District, including housing, schools, and medical facilities for workers and their families. Duside Hospital became the central hospital within this system, providing medical services to plantation employees, dependents, and nearby communities.[3][4]
Civil war period
During the First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997), the Firestone plantation became a strategic location as fighting spread across central Liberia. Rebel forces associated with Charles Taylor entered the plantation area early in the conflict.
Despite disruptions to plantation operations, Duside Hospital reportedly continued providing basic medical care to plantation residents and displaced civilians during portions of the conflict.[5]
Rehabilitation and reopening
Following the end of Liberia’s civil conflicts, Firestone Liberia undertook rehabilitation of plantation infrastructure, including the hospital. Duside Hospital was renovated and officially reopened in December 2008 after refurbishment and equipment upgrades.[6]
Ebola outbreak
During the Western African Ebola epidemic of 2014–2016, Duside Hospital played an important role in the response within the Firestone plantation district. After the first Ebola case associated with the plantation community was identified in March 2014, Firestone Liberia implemented containment measures including contact tracing, quarantine housing and isolation wards.[7]
An Ebola treatment unit was constructed near the hospital to isolate and treat infected patients. Public health officials later cited the Firestone response as an example of effective outbreak containment through early isolation, monitoring of contacts and coordinated community response.[8]
COVID-19
The hospital also participated in Liberia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases reported within the Firestone plantation community during 2020.[9]
Facilities
Duside Hospital contains inpatient wards, operating theaters, a diagnostic laboratory, and a pharmacy. The hospital is designed to support approximately 300 beds and serves as the central referral facility within the Firestone Liberia healthcare system.[10]
The hospital includes three operating theatres and provides a range of medical services including general surgery, prenatal care and vaccination programs. Diagnostic equipment, operating rooms, laboratory facilities and a pharmacy were installed during the hospital's postwar reconstruction.[11]
Services
The hospital provides emergency care, surgery, maternity services, laboratory diagnostics, vaccination programs and general inpatient care.[12]
Smaller plantation clinics provide primary healthcare services and refer complex cases to Duside Hospital.
Hospital statistics
Duside Hospital operates as the central facility within the Firestone Liberia healthcare system. The hospital is designed to support approximately 300 beds and includes surgical theatres, laboratory facilities and maternity services.[13]
The Firestone healthcare system serves a catchment population of roughly 80,000 people including employees, retirees, dependents and surrounding communities.[14]
International medical missions
Duside Hospital has hosted surgical missions in partnership with the nonprofit organization Children’s Surgery International (CSI). Volunteer surgeons and medical specialists perform operations for children who otherwise lack access to specialized surgical care.[15]
A surgical mission conducted in January 2026 treated more than 100 children during a two-week program at the hospital.[16]
Healthcare in Margibi County
Duside Hospital is one of the largest healthcare facilities in Margibi County. The county’s healthcare system consists of government hospitals, private facilities and clinics operated by concession companies such as Firestone Liberia.
Patients requiring specialized treatment may be referred to major hospitals in Monrovia, including John F. Kennedy Medical Center and Redemption Hospital.
Major hospitals in Margibi County
| Hospital | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duside Hospital | Firestone District | Operated by Firestone Liberia; approximately 300 beds |
| Margibi County Hospital | Kakata | Government referral hospital for the county |
| C.H. Rennie Hospital | Harbel | Public hospital serving Harbel and surrounding communities |