Monrovia – House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has proposed allocating $15 to $20 million in the upcoming national budget to modernize the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), citing the hospital’s deteriorating condition. His proposal on Monday, March 3, 2025, comes after revelations that the hospital’s kitchen now relies on coal pots due to broken equipment.
During a tour of the medical facility, Speaker Koon emphasized the urgent need for substantial healthcare investment to reduce the number of patients seeking treatment abroad. He described the hospital’s current state as unacceptable and stressed that improving its infrastructure is vital for national development.
“For a country like Liberia, we cannot continue to send our people overseas for basic medical care. It is time to prioritize our healthcare system and transform JFK into a state-of-the-art medical facility,” Koon stated during his visit.JFK Chief Executive Officer Dr. Linda Birch welcomed Speaker Koon’s proposal, outlining the hospital’s ongoing challenges. She highlighted issues such as inadequate staffing, medical supply shortages, and aging infrastructure, which she said continue to hamper service delivery.
The Fiscal Year 2025 national budget stands at $880.7 million, with $98 million earmarked for public sector projects. Last year, JFK received $7.1 million for upgrades, but Speaker Koon’s proposal represents a significant increase in funding.Koon assured JFK’s leadership of the government’s commitment to long-term healthcare improvements, arguing that modernizing the country’s largest referral hospital is essential to improving public health and advancing national progress.
