NATIONAL NEWS
BONG COUNTY – The Ministry of Health has taken full responsibility for the ongoing crisis at Phebe Hospital in Bong County, following a three-day protest by staff over allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and deteriorating sanitary conditions.
On Monday, nurses, cleaners, administrative personnel, and other hospital employees staged a sit-in protest within the hospital’s main compound, accusing management of prolonged neglect of critical issues affecting staff welfare and patient safety.
By: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr-rufusbrooks091@gmail.com
In a statement circulated among demonstrators, workers cited chronic shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies, claiming that staff were forced to reuse single-use items and ration life-saving drugs.
They also pointed to severe infrastructure decay, including leaking roofs, malfunctioning ventilation systems, and inadequate waste disposal — conditions they described as hazardous to both staff and patients.
Additionally, employees alleged a lack of transparency in procurement processes, claiming that funds allocated for equipment upgrades remained unused.
The protest disrupted health services, halting outpatient care, suspending elective surgeries, and forcing the emergency department to operate at reduced capacity — developments that sparked concern among patients and community leaders.
In response, the Ministry of Health convened a reconciliation meeting Tuesday in Gbarnga. Health Minister Louise Kpoto led the dialogue, which brought together representatives of the protesting workers, union leaders, and senior officials from the Ministry’s Hospital Management Division.
During the meeting, Dr. Kpoto acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances raised by staff.
“The voices of our frontline health workers are not only heard but respected,” she said. “The Ministry accepts full responsibility for the failures at Phebe Hospital and commits to immediate, transparent corrective action.”
As part of the response, the Ministry announced several key measures:
Audit and Accountability: An independent audit team, led by the Office of the Auditor General, will review procurement records, financial statements, and supply-chain management within 30 days.
Infrastructure Investment: The Ministry will allocate US$4.2 million from the national health budget for urgent rehabilitation, including roof replacement, ventilation upgrades, and refurbishment of the hospital’s waste-management system.
Staffing Support: A fast-track recruitment process will be launched to fill vacant nursing and support positions. An incentive package is also expected to be introduced to retain current staff.
Governance Reform: A new Hospital Management Board — comprising Ministry officials, civil society representatives, and health professional bodies — will be established to oversee operations and ensure compliance with national health standards.
While expressing empathy for the protesting workers, Dr. Kpoto warned of the dangers posed by prolonged service disruptions.
“Every hour of reduced service translates into lives at risk,” she cautioned. “We urge our dedicated staff to resume their duties while we work together to resolve these systemic issues.”
Phebe Hospital, a 200-bed regional referral center, serves more than 500,000 people across Bong, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh counties.
