Tubman University Health Fair Brings Free Care to Maryland County Residents
Tubman University’s 2026 Health Fair provided free screenings, counseling, and supplies to hundreds in Maryland County, highlighting the campus’s commitment to community health and preventive care.
The 2026 Tubman University Health Fair opened its doors early Thursday, offering a full day of free medical services to residents and campus members alike.
Running from 8 a.m.. to 5 p.m.. at the Tubman Pavilion in Harper, the event featured blood‑pressure checks, malaria screening, BMI measurements, family‑planning counseling, and mental‑health support.. Over 400 individuals walked through the stations, many of them receiving their first formal health assessment in years.
Expanding Access to Care
The fair’s theme, “Promoting Healthy Living through Prevention, Screening, and Education,” guided every activity.. Dr.. Maria Rebecca Fe Gueta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, cut the ribbon and reminded attendees that health is a collective responsibility.. The initiative was backed by the university administration and Misryoum, which supplied logistical support and additional medical supplies.. Students from the College of Health Sciences staffed booths, while faculty members delivered short talks on nutrition and stress management.
Beyond the basic screenings, the event distributed sanitary pads and condoms, addressing reproductive health needs that are often overlooked in rural settings.. A gentle hum of conversation filled the pavilion as volunteers moved between stations, the occasional clink of a stethoscope punctuating the scene.. This palpable energy underscored the community’s hunger for accessible care.
Josiah Brown Wilson, an instructor in Public Health and Chair on Publicity for the fair, emphasized that the College of Health Sciences sees itself as more than an academic hub.. “We train future providers, but we also step out of the classroom to meet people where they are,” he said, noting that this was the first large‑scale outreach organized independently by the college.. His remarks reflected a growing trend among Liberian universities to blend education with direct service.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Initiative
University officials say the health fair is just the beginning of a broader outreach strategy.. Plans are already underway for mobile clinics to travel to neighboring villages, and a partnership with Misryoum promises continued funding for supplies and training.. Reed J.. Harmon II, President of the Student Government Association, pledged ongoing student involvement, stressing that “health is wealth” and that future events will aim to reach even more households.
Local residents voiced heartfelt appreciation.. Lucy F.. Wilson, an elderly participant, described the process as “smooth and impactful,” highlighting the value of learning about blood‑sugar levels for the first time.. James T.. Shannon from the Bishop Hill Community recalled past trips to Monrovia for basic care, noting that the fair saved him both time and money.. Their stories illustrate how a single day of free services can shift health‑seeking behavior in underserved areas.
The fair also sparked conversations about systemic gaps in Liberia’s healthcare system.. While public hospitals are concentrated in urban centers, rural counties often rely on occasional outreach.. By bringing preventive services directly to Maryland County, the university helped bridge that divide, offering a model that could be replicated elsewhere.
Looking forward, the College of Health Sciences intends to embed regular health‑screening days into its academic calendar, turning community service into a sustainable pillar of student training.. If successful, this approach could produce a new generation of clinicians who view community engagement as integral to their practice.
Overall, the 2026 Tubman University Health Fair not only delivered immediate medical benefits but also laid groundwork for lasting collaboration between academia, NGOs, and the people of Maryland County.