MONROVIA-The newest transfer by the administration of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) to extend charges has been fiercely resisted by Liberians, who’re equally calling without cost healthcare.
The choice to hike charges on the Authorities-owned well being facility is seen as a pointy distinction to the totted the notion that there’s free healthcare providers supplied on the Hospital, the most important referral well being facility within the nation.
There are all the time charges are being charged for providers supplied to the general public, however Liberians consider the federal government ought to at the least present healthcare providers for minimal charges if it’s not within the place to supply 100% free well being supply providers to its folks.
In keeping with them, for a public well being facility to outright enhance healthcare charges and cancel free healthcare for youngsters underneath 5 is a whole disservice.
The pronouncement by JFK Hospital that it has elevated maternity service charges and cancelled free healthcare for youngsters underneath 5 has prompted widespread criticism and rejection from Liberian residents.
A July 16, 2025, memorandum underneath the signature of CEO Dr. Linda A. Birch, JFKMC outlined new registration charges for maternity providers. The JFK Medical Heart is Liberia’s largest referral hospital within the nation.
The transfer follows an earlier directive in Could 2025, which cancelled all-free remedy for youngsters underneath 5, triggering considerations about entry to healthcare for Liberia’s most weak populations.
The newest memo particulars a new-fee schedule for Caesarean sections, together with an admission price of US$25 (for 1-5 days), a surgical price of US$90, intraoperative drugs and provides costing US$65, and routine labs at US$20, amounting to a complete of US$200. The hospital mandated that every one sufferers should deposit the required quantities earlier than present process surgical procedure, with receipts to be documented in sufferers’ charts.
“We remorse any inconvenience this may increasingly trigger you,” the memo reads. Moreover, JFKMC introduced that every one different providers could be billed as ordered, efficient July 15, 2025.
Nevertheless, the newest transfer has drawn sharp criticism, condemnation and criticism from Liberians, a lot of whom argue that the price hikes and elimination of free providers threaten the well being and lives of moms and youngsters.
Social media is flooded with criticism and rejection of the choice taken by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Heart to extend maternity charges and cancel free healthcare providers for youngsters underneath 5.
In collaborative voices, some vocal critics of the ruling Unity Occasion-led authorities, condemned the choice, stating, “Youngsters who as soon as obtained remedy without cost at the moment are being turned away if their mother and father can’t pay. Liberia already ranks among the many worst on the planet for under-five mortality. These insurance policies are costing lives.”
These critics have known as on President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to intervene, emphasizing that the latest insurance policies don’t align with the federal government’s supposed “Rescue Mission” and warning of a harmful regression that endangers maternal and little one well being.
One Liberian opined, “So, these persons are telling us it’s too costly to provide start? Anyway, that’s one other demise sentence, coming from rescue.”
One outstanding political determine, expressed concern over the state of affairs, questioning whether or not investigations are underway into the hospital’s monetary practices. “What is going to non-public hospitals or clinics do if JFKMC continues on this path?” She requested.
A male Liberian shared a tragic account of private loss, revealing, “I paid US$150 for a C-section this June, excluding different charges. Sadly, my new child and my companion didn’t survive because of lack of correct care. I misplaced my little one and my girlfriend in simply ten days.”
An acclaimed opposition determine Moriah Yeakula-Korkpor criticized the transfer, saying, “JFK will not be solely rising charges for maternal care but in addition cancelling free healthcare for youngsters underneath 5. Infants would possibly die; poor households will undergo. But, the generator makes US$3,600, however they will’t enhance the price range to cowl these prices? Who is really being rescued right here?”
Whereas many voters categorical disgust, some supporters of the federal government provide a unique perspective. A professional-government supporter, welcomed the price changes, stating, “Due to administration for clarifying the prices. JFK has by no means been free, and realizing the costs helps households plan higher. If President Boakai doesn’t meet the folks’s expectations, they might desire one other chief.”
As public dissatisfaction grows, requires pressing intervention from well being authorities and authorities officers intensify.
The choice by JFKMC raises vital questions on healthcare entry and affordability in Liberia, particularly for the nation’s most weak populations.
Political pundits have blamed the Legislature for allotting peanuts to John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Heart within the nationwide price range, thus making a state of affairs the place the well being facility can’t meet is obligation to ship high quality healthcare to the folks.
These pundits need the Legislature to allot the enough funds within the price range for the JFK Medical Heart to fulfill the well being wants of the folks as Liberia’s premier referral well being middle within the nation.
The ball is now within the courtroom of the Ministry of Well being and the President of Liberia to heed the folks’s name by speedily intervening in different to really rescue Liberians who could also be in want of high quality healthcare on the state-owned JFK Memorial Medical Heart.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been within the career for over twenty years. He has labored for a lot of worldwide media shops together with: West Africa Journal, Africa Week Journal, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Occasions, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He’s the present correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in Worldwide Relations and a candidate for second grasp in Worldwide Peace research and Battle Decision from the College of Liberia.
