MONROVIA – Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Louis Kpoto, has stepped into a brewing labor dispute at ELWA Hospital, appealing to striking staff to return to work immediately while promising a full resolution within two weeks. The intervention comes as hospital services face strain from clinic closures and staff shortages, threatening patient care at one of the country’s key healthcare facilities.
The Minister’s visit comes amid growing concerns over the hospital’s operational challenges and mounting staff grievances.
Addressing the healthcare workers, Dr. Kpoto acknowledged their dedication and the difficulties they face. “I know the challenges that you all face, but it’s quite a lot that you have been carrying on the front lines, and I want to sincerely thank you for your hard work,” she said. The Minister described the staff’s experiences as “genuine” and committed to listening to their concerns.
She urged the workers to resume duties, pledging: “Give us two weeks, just come back to work. Within two weeks’ time, you will hear from us 100%.” Dr. Kpoto also assured staff that no one would face repercussions for expressing dissatisfaction.
A follow-up meeting with ELWA Hospital administration is scheduled at the Ministry of Health to further address the issues.
The workers’ petition cites several pressing concerns, including the closure of the female ward, as well as the eye and gynecology clinics, which has led to “inadequate bed space” and negatively affected patient care and hospital revenue.
Staff also raised issues regarding the “unnecessary redundancy of eleven men in May 2025,” resulting in increased workloads and diminished quality of care.
Key demands in the petition include:
- Immediate reopening of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for discussion
- Payment of retroactive benefits
- Guaranteed 30-minute lunch breaks
- A definite timeline for remittance of social security and LRA contributions
The union has appealed to Samaritan’s Purse for intervention and called on President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, a reported former patient of ELWA Hospital, to prevent the facility from “closing.”
The petition, signed by General Secretary Micheal J. Dortu, Co-Chair Jeremiah Paye, and Chairman Bolma D. Dougba, warns: “Our institution, the ELWA Hospital, is broken. The hospital lives on past glory.”
The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of this vital healthcare facility, as both the Ministry and hospital staff work toward resolving the dispute.
