Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, says his administration is committed to improving the well-being of Liberians, including equipping hospitals in the country with state-of-the-arts facilities.

On Monday, May 17, 2021, President Weah said since his takeover of political authority in Liberia, his administration has been concerned about the lack of properly-equipped Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Trauma Units in Liberia, which is why “I have been relentless in my determination to bring such modern, state-of-the-art facilities to various hospitals in Liberia.”

Making remarks at the dedication and turnover ceremony of the newly renovated and expanded intensive care and trauma units at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Medical Center, President Weah said the upgrading and expansion of the facilities is particularly significant, because the JFK is not only the national referral hospital, but it is the main teaching hospital in Liberia. 

Founded in 1971, for over five decades, the largest public medical referral hospital has played an unparalleled role in healthcare and in training Liberia’s health workforce, the Chief Executive noted.

He however added that despite its long years of existence and the important contributions it has made as the main pillar of the Liberian health-care ecosystem, JFK has faced some difficulties over the years with meeting the full standards of care as is expected of its position as the apex teaching hospital in Liberia, due to challenges with funding and budgetary constraints.

“This is why we have led the initiative to reach out to our international partners and the private sector, to lend their support to this venerable institution, such that it will be enabled to fulfill its important role of education, training, and leadership of our health sector,” President Weah asserted, adding, “to their credit, many of them have responded generously, for which we are grateful.”

The President recognized the positive response to his appeal from two companies in the private sector:  the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), and TGS-Nopec, who combined their resources in fulfillment of their Corporate Social Responsibilities to improve, upgrade, expand, and equip these facilities.

“They should, and must be, commended,” Dr. Weah said. “NOCAL has always been a major contributor to all areas that seek to develop the lives of our people, and therefore this investment into the health sector through this JFK Project comes as no surprise. The people of Liberia are indeed grateful for this gesture.”

Dr. Weah recalled that through a NOCAL-TGS partnership, the Facility Upgrade of the Intensive Care and Trauma Units of JFK Hospital will bring a huge boost to Liberia’s health-care delivery drive.

“This initiative will bring our people closer to the kind of health-care they deserve,” he said.

According to the President, the initiative will provide professional life-saving health services, on an equal-access basis, to over 1.8 million inhabitants of Monrovia and its environs, as well as residents in the 15 counties of Liberia who, based on referral and need, will require advance emergency care.

The highly elated President said further: “On behalf of the People of Liberia, and in my own name, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to NOCAL and TGS-Nopec for their support to this specific aspect of our National Economic Plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, in which the provision of adequate health care to our people is a major component.” 

He admonished the Management and Staff to take excellent care and maintenance of these facilities, so that they will efficiently and effectively serve the purpose for which they were installed.

President Weah also had fond words for NOCAL boss, Attorney-At Law Saifuah Mai Gray, of whom he said, “I am very proud of you. You have dispelled the notion that young people are not experienced and cannot deliver.  The NOCAL that we know; you met it bankrupt and in a huge financial deficit. You went there, stabilized it and now you have brought this very impressive project to successful completion. I therefore urge all young professionals who are put in positions of responsibility, to emulate her great leadership.”