-Majority Bloc Speaker Seeks Remedy To JFK Constraints
By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – The John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), Liberia’s premier healthcare institution, is facing a crisis that threatens its ability to deliver essential medical services. Established in 1971, JFK has long been the nation’s flagship hospital, providing advanced medical care and training for healthcare professionals. However, years of underfunding and systemic challenges have left the facility in a dire state, prompting calls for urgent intervention.
In response to these challenges, Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has proposed a $20 million increase in the hospital’s 2026 budget. The proposal follows an extensive tour of the facility, during which Koon witnessed firsthand the deteriorating conditions. “The state of JFK is unacceptable for a country like Liberia,” he said. “We cannot continue to send our people abroad for treatment when we have the capacity to improve our own medical system.”
A Hospital in Crisis
During the tour, Koon, accompanied by JFK CEO Dr. Linda Birch and other administrators, visited key departments, including laboratories, pharmacies, the maternal ward, the eye center, the ICU, the oncology unit, and the medication storage facility. What he found were empty shelves in pharmacies, a non-functional oxygen plant (a USAID project halted due to frozen operations), and a severe shortage of medical equipment and supplies. Staff in the maternal ward and other units reported a lack of essential medications and logistical support, while nurses pleaded for salary increases to cope with rising living costs.
One of the most striking revelations was the state of the hospital’s kitchen, which has resorted to using coal pots for meal preparation. Dr. Birch explained that the kitchen, primarily used by patients’ relatives, is no longer functional due to broken equipment and poor infrastructure. Families are now forced to rely on traditional cooking methods to feed their loved ones
Koon Proposes
Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Koon says his proposed budget increase aims to address these challenges by funding major renovations, increasing staff salaries, and expanding the hospital’s capacity to accommodate more patients.
The Fiscal Year 2025 budget, currently set at $880.7 million, allocates $98 million for public sector infrastructure projects. Last year, JFK received $7.1 million for upgrades. Dr. Birch has repeatedly stressed that $20 million is the minimum required to address the hospital’s most pressing needs, including electricity shortages, inadequate staffing, and outdated infrastructure.
A Legacy at Risk
Named after the 35th President of the United States, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center has played a critical role in Liberia’s healthcare system for over five decades. It has not only provided advanced medical care but also trained generations of healthcare professionals. However, the current state of the facility raises serious concerns about its ability to fulfill its mission.
Dr. Birch accentuated the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are doing the best we can to provide services to our citizens, but we need more support. The challenges we face are immense, but with adequate funding, we can restore JFK to its rightful place as a center of excellence in healthcare.”
