Monrovia, Liberia — As the “go-slow” action by healthcare workers at the ELWA Hospital continues since very earlyy morning, toay, October 6, patients seeking treatment were turned away — including mothers with sick children and pregnant women — as staff demand payment of long-overdue salaries and benefits.
When reporters visited the hospital on Monday morning, scenes of confusion and despair unfolded across the compound. One of those affected, Ms. Sarah Payku, a mother of a sick baby girl, stood helplessly outside the hospital gates after being denied care.
“I came for treatment but ELWA people are driving people away,” Payku told journalists, her baby in her arms. “Even if you are dying, they won’t have time for you. They said the people are not paying them good money.”
Payku explained that her daughter had been suffering from fever, coughing, and vomiting since the night before. ELWA Hospital, a long-trusted Christian medical facility located along the Robertsfield Highway in Paynesville, has been her regular treatment center — until now.
“I’m not feeling fine. I’m not feeling healthy about the whole situation,” she said, visibly distressed. “We are plenty — some of my friends standing over there, even pregnant women. They are driving us away.”
The protesting health workers, led by their union chairman Boima D. Dougba, say they have not received salaries and benefits for months and accuse hospital management of mismanagement and neglect. “No money, no work,” has become their rallying cry, bringing most operations to a standstill.
Mr. Dougba earlier told reporters that the hospital owes staff significant arrears and has failed to account for a reported US$50,000 in donor funds allegedly raised by a former CEO. He said repeated attempts to engage the Ministry of Health for intervention have gone unanswered.
For now, desperate patients like Payku are left to fend for themselves.
“I’m looking for another hospital,” she said. “Some of my friends said we should go to African Dream. Anywhere I can take my baby there for treatment for now.”
A Worsening National Trend
The ELWA protest adds to a growing wave of unrest among health workers nationwide. Over the past few years, medical staff across several government and private health facilities — including JFK Medical Center, Redemption Hospital, and Phebe Hospital — have staged similar protests over salary delays, poor working conditions, and lack of incentives.
Despite being hailed as heroes during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises, many Liberian health workers continue to decry inadequate compensation, lack of protective gear, and the absence of hazard pay — issues that have remained unresolved despite repeated government promises.
Health sector observers warn that the ongoing strike at ELWA, one of Monrovia’s busiest hospitals, could exacerbate an already fragile healthcare system, leaving thousands of low-income patients without access to treatment.
Government Yet to Respond
As of press time, the Ministry of Health had not issued an official statement regarding the situation at ELWA. Calls placed to the hospital’s administration also went unanswered.
Meanwhile, stranded patients continue to plead for swift intervention.
“All we want is treatment for our children,” Payku said quietly, adjusting her child’s blanket as she prepared to leave. “We are suffering.”
