After ELWA Hospital Protest
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers nationwide, following a protest by physicians and nurses at ELWA Hospital over unpaid benefits and unfavorable working conditions.
Dr. Kpoto stressed in a statement on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, that administrative or financial bottlenecks should not cause any health facility to experience a disruption in service delivery. She also confirmed that the Ministry is collaborating with the appropriate authorities to resolve the issues raised up by healthcare professionals.
Her remarks coincide with ongoing disappointment among medical professionals about underpaid benefits, wage arrears, and delayed social security remittances problems that have stoked unrest in the healthcare sector. The Minister urged health professionals to maintain calm while the government intensifies its efforts to address the issues facing the healthcare system.
On Monday, October 6, 2025, medical professionals in Liberia abandoned their responsibilities in order to demonstrate for unpaid benefits, which was another concerning development for the country’s healthcare system. On this day, physicians and nurses at Paynesville’s ELWA Hospital protested, calling for the prompt payment of past-due benefits and arrears that they said the hospital’s management owed them.
The striking health workers accused the hospital of deducting contributions for the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) from their salaries but failing to remit these funds.
One protester complained, “We’re suffering here,” calling the circumstances depressing and unfair. The employees noted that ongoing salary delays and pay disparities have made their financial problems worse, and that arrears from the COVID-19 response are still unpaid.
Speaking with reporters, the employees cited a number of problems, such as unfavorable working conditions, a dearth of dependable transportation options, such as buses and ambulances, and a generally dangerous atmosphere for both employees and patients.
They pointed out that these difficulties make it more difficult for the hospital to deliver quality medical care. According to reports, prior interactions with the hospital administration have not produced any improvements, which is what sparked the current demonstration.
“Nothing has changed despite our years of patience. We can’t keep quiet any longer,” one nurse said.
The demonstration attracted dozens of staff members who gathered peacefully in the hospital compound, holding placards and voicing their frustrations over years of neglect.
Photo credit: MOH
Reported by: Prince Saah
