GBARNGA, Bong County – Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Martha Mirris, has assured health workers and residents that the government is committed to eliminating the long-standing issue of volunteer health workers across the country before the end of 2026.
Speaking Friday during the commissioning of three new ambulances for the Bong County Health Team in Gbarnga, deputy minister Morris said the Ministry has made significant progress in transitioning volunteers onto the government payroll despite operating within existing budgetary allocations.
She noted that over the years, many health workers have provided essential services as volunteers without receiving regular salaries, a situation the Ministry considers unfair and unsustainable.
“We want to get rid of the issue of volunteers,” she declared. “It’s unfair for somebody to be working for years, for months, and they are not taking pay.”
According to the deputy minister, the Ministry has already processed and submitted documentation for numerous volunteers to the Civil Service Agency, with additional placements being made as funding becomes available.
She expressed confidence that all eligible volunteers who have completed the required documentation will be placed on the government payroll before the country enters 2027.
“By the grace of God, before this year ends, you will not see volunteers on the workflow,” she said. “All the volunteers that have filled up their forms should get on payroll before we enter 2027.”
The deputy minister, however, cautioned local health authorities, including County Health Officers, medical directors, hospital administrators, and other health managers, against recruiting additional volunteers without notifying the Ministry’s headquarters.
She explained that unreported volunteers often create payroll challenges and place the Ministry under scrutiny when lawmakers and stakeholders raise concerns about unpaid workers.
Morris urged local health leaders to formally communicate staffing shortages to the Ministry so that approved recruitment and payroll arrangements can be made.
“Whenever you have gaps, let us know,” she stressed. “If anybody comes on the workflow that we are not aware of, it will be challenging for them to get on the payroll.”
The commitment forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare workforce and improve conditions for health personnel Nationwide.
