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By Myean D Torgbean
Monrovia, February 24, 2026 — The Ministry of Health has expressed “deep concern” over an escalating crisis at Phebe Hospital in Bong County, where health workers are reportedly considering strike action that could disrupt critical medical services in the county and surrounding communities.
In a press release issued Sunday, the Ministry warned that any work stoppage at the major referral hospital would significantly affect thousands of citizens who rely on the facility for essential and emergency care.
Phebe Hospital, one of the country’s longstanding faith-based health institutions, is operated under the stewardship of the Methodist, Episcopal, and Lutheran Churches. The Ministry noted that while government provides subsidies and technical support, the hospital’s day-to-day management rests primarily with its governing partners and Board of Directors.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry is calling on the churches and the hospital’s leadership to urgently intervene and work with all stakeholders to resolve the dispute and prevent a shutdown of services.
Meanwhile, a team of senior health officials has been dispatched to Bong County to assess the situation on the ground and provide immediate, short-term interventions aimed at ensuring continuity of care. The Ministry said it is simultaneously engaging the hospital’s governing partners in search of a sustainable solution.
The nature of the workers’ grievances was not detailed in the statement. However, the Ministry acknowledged that concerns raised by health workers must be addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement.
It appealed to staff of the hospital to consider the lives of patients particularly those in critical condition who depend on uninterrupted medical attention.
“While grievances are acknowledged and must be addressed, essential services must continue, especially for vulnerable patients requiring urgent and life-saving care,” the statement emphasized.
Phebe Hospital serves as a major referral center for Bong County and parts of Nimba, Lofa, and Margibi Counties. Any prolonged disruption could place additional strain on nearby health facilities already operating with limited resources.
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting healthcare delivery nationwide, highlighting what it described as sustained public investment and ongoing subsidies to Phebe Hospital.
As negotiations continue, residents of Bong County remain watchful, hoping for a swift resolution that will keep the doors of one of the region’s most important medical institutions open.
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