EXECUTIVE MANSION PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President Boakai Orders Immediate Reopening of Phebe Hospital;
Establishes Special Committee to Resolve Governance Issues
Monday, July 13, 2026
Executive Mansion, Monrovia –President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has ordered the immediate reopening of Phebe Hospital in Suacoco, Bong County, following a high-level meeting with key stakeholders aimed at resolving the recent disruption of healthcare services at one of Liberia’s principal referral hospitals.
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. Bushuben 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
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