WACP Conducts Accreditation Exercise For Community Health Residency Program
PHOTO: Members of the WACP delegation
Monrovia, Liberia – In a significant boost to Liberia’s efforts to strengthen specialist medical education and build a resilient healthcare workforce, a delegation of three Professors from the West African College of Physicians (WACP) has concluded a two-day accreditation mission to assess the Faculty of Community Health of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS), a press release said on Friday, June 19, 2026.
The visit, conducted as part of WACP’s regional mandate to uphold quality standards in postgraduate medical education, focused on evaluating the progress and capacity of the Community Health residency training program in Liberia, one of ten specialist training faculties operated by LCPS.
The visiting delegation, led by WACP Accrediting Officer Professor Hadiza Agbo, arrived in Liberia on June 17, 2026, at the invitation of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in collaboration with the LCPS. The mission was undertaken to assess improvements made since the program’s last accreditation review in 2023 and determine its readiness for full accreditation.
The team from the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS)
The Community Health residency training program is currently hosted at Redemption Hospital under the auspices of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), Liberia’s premier teaching and referral institution.
During an inception meeting with the administration of JFKMC, Professor Agbo emphasized that the visit underscores WACP’s commitment to promoting excellence in postgraduate medical education across West Africa. Accompanied by LCPS Assistant Secretary-General Dr. Benetta Andrews, the delegation engaged hospital administrators, faculty members, and resident physicians while conducting a comprehensive assessment of key clinical and training facilities, including the Chest Clinic, Pediatric Ward, Maternal Ward, and Vaccination Unit at the Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town as well as the simulation lab at the JFKMC.
The delegation subsequently met with the leadership of LCPS, headed by its President, Professor John K. Mulbah, to present preliminary observations and recommendations. Professor Agbo commended the College for the notable progress achieved in strengthening its training programs, expanding institutional capacity, and advancing specialist medical education in Liberia.
She encouraged continued investments and improvements to position the Community Health residency program for full accreditation. Among the recommendations advanced were measures aimed at strengthening institutional resources, expanding practical training opportunities, and enhancing access to learning tools and clinical experiences for resident physicians.
Responding to the delegation’s findings, Professor Mulbah welcomed the assessment and expressed appreciation for WACP’s continued support and guidance.
“We are grateful to the West African College of Physicians for its enduring partnership and commitment to advancing specialist medical education in Liberia,” Professor Mulbah said. “The recommendations provided will further strengthen our training programs and contribute to the development of highly skilled specialists
capable of meeting the healthcare needs of our people. We remain fully committed to implementing these recommendations as expeditiously as possible.”
The accreditation exercise highlights the remarkable progress Liberia has made in rebuilding its specialist healthcare workforce over the past decade. From a baseline of approximately 15 specialist physicians nationwide in 2013, LCPS has successfully trained 155 specialist doctors across multiple disciplines, significantly expanding the country’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.
Meanwhile, the College is expected to graduate an additional cohort of specialists during its landmark 10th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for September 2026, marking another important milestone in Liberia’s journey toward health sector self-sufficiency.
As Liberia continues to invest in postgraduate medical education and specialist training, the outlook for the country’s healthcare system remains increasingly promising. Through strong regional partnerships, sustained institutional development, and a growing cadre of highly trained specialists, Liberia is steadily building the human resource capacity required to meet the evolving health needs of its population.
About the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons
The Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons is Liberia’s premier postgraduate medical training institution, established to train specialist physicians and strengthen the nation’s healthcare system. The College currently operates ten residency training faculties and remains at the forefront of efforts to develop a highly skilled specialist workforce for Liberia and the region.