President Boakai Orders Immediate Reopening of Phebe Hospital; Establishes Special Committee to Resolve Governance Issues
The President's directive follows the temporary closure of the hospital, which resulted from disputes relating to staff placement, management decisions, and salary disparities.
The matter was brought to the President's attention on Monday, July 13, prompting his
immediate intervention.
President Boakai emphasized that the Government of Liberia bears the primary
responsibility for ensuring that all Liberians have uninterrupted access to quality
healthcare services. He expressed profound disappointment that circumstances had led
to the suspension of services at a major referral institution serving Bong County and the wider Central Liberia region.
"The health and well-being of our people must always come first," President Boakai said. Adding, “No disagreement should deny our citizens access to essential medical care. Hospitals exist to save lives, and every stakeholder has a responsibility to ensure that they remain operational."
Accordingly, the President directed the immediate resumption of medical services at
Phebe Hospital and instructed all health workers to return to duty without delay to restore full healthcare delivery to the people of Bong County and surrounding communities. As part of the immediate administrative measures, the President also ordered the recall of the following members of the hospital's senior management, pending further administrative review:
* Dr. Minnie Sankawulo-Ricks – Medical Director
* Mr. Jonathan Pewu – Human Resource Director
* Mr. Peter Gbelawoe – Assistant Human Resource Director
To address the underlying issues affecting the institution, President Boakai announced
the establishment of a Special Committee, to be led by the Ministry of State for
Presidential Affairs and comprising relevant stakeholders, including representatives of the
Governing Churches of Phebe Hospital, the Ministry of Health, and other appropriate
institutions.
The Committee will investigate the circumstances surrounding the dispute
and recommend immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures to strengthen the
hospital's governance, management, and operational effectiveness.
The President stressed that healthcare remains a core responsibility of the Government of Liberia, undertaken in partnership with faith-based institutions and development partners. He cautioned against allowing political interests or other non-medical considerations to interfere with the management and operation of healthcare institutions.
"We must never allow politics to take root in our hospitals. Our focus must remain on
delivering quality healthcare to the Liberian people," the President stated.
The President issued the directives during a meeting at the Executive Mansion attended
by Bong County Senator Prince K. Moye; Minister of Health Dr. Louise M. Kpoto;
representatives of the Lutheran, Episcopal, and United Methodist Churches, which jointly
govern Phebe Hospital; Minister of State Without Portfolio Hadja Mamaka Bility; Senior
Advisor to the President Dr. Augustine Konneh; National Security Advisor Cllr.
Samuel Kofi Woods II; Presidential Legal Advisor Cllr. Busheben Keita; and other
senior government officials.
President Boakai emphasized that protecting the health and well-being of the Liberian
people remains a central priority of his Administration and urged all stakeholders to
cooperate fully in implementing the measures announced to restore normal operations at
Phebe Hospital and strengthen the delivery of healthcare services for the benefit of Bong
County, Central Liberia, and the nation.
Signed:
Atty. Kula B.N. Fofana
Presidential Press Secretary
