Monrovia, Liberia – Dr. Catherine Thomas Cooper, the Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, the Minister of Health, have been summoned by the House of Representatives to appear before the legislature on Tuesday.
This request is in response to rising national concerns about the way certain practices in the nation’s healthcare institutions are undermining public healthcare services. The House took the decision on the fifth day of the second quarter after receiving a formal message from Grand Bassa County Electoral District 1 Representative Hon. Isaac Bannie.
According to reports, public hospital administrators are demanding patients who are designated for specialist medical care to pay operating costs and provide gasoline before they can receive treatment. This has alarmed Hon. Bannie, who indicated this in his communication.
He denounced this behavior, pointing out that it contradicts the goals of the 2024 National Budget, which expressly set aside money to strengthen referral hospitals and public health institutions across Liberia. The goal of these allocations was to guarantee that healthcare services will continue to be available to all residents, regardless of their financial circumstances, Hon. Bannie emphasized that these acts defeat that goal.
Concerns were also voiced by the lawmaker over the inappropriate deployment of medical specialists. He cited cases in which medical professionals with training were assigned as County Health Officers instead of practicing their specialty.
He specifically brought up the appointment of the current EPI Director at the Ministry of Health, as well as problems in the counties of Montserrado, Nimba, and Grand Cape Mount. According to Hon. Bannie, this misallocation may have detrimental effects, especially in emergency cases requiring specialist medical care, and might eventually result in a rise in death rates.
In light of these important concerns, Hon. Bannie has urged the House of Representatives to call on Dr. Kpoto, the Minister of Health, and Dr. Cooper, the Chief Medical Officer, to offer thorough justifications and workable solutions to these pressing healthcare issues. He underlined that in order to protect Liberians’ health, an immediate response is required.
In order to guarantee that healthcare services are provided to all residents in an efficient and effective manner and that the public’s confidence in the nation’s healthcare system is restored, the House of Representatives is anticipated to hold a thorough discussion with the called authorities on Tuesday.
