By G. Watson Richards
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on Liberians to prioritize building and strengthening local healthcare infrastructure, as he officially launched a new ear and hearing care initiative at John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center.
The project, supported by the Rotary Club of Monrovia along with international partners, includes the donation of hearing aid equipment valued at more than US$60,000 to enhance treatment for patients with hearing impairments.
Speaking at the launch, President Boakai emphasized the need for greater domestic investment in healthcare, urging citizens and institutions to follow the example of the Rotary Club.
“All efforts should be to build facilities here to improve the health sector for the majority of the people,” the Executive Mansion said in a statement quoting the President.
Boakai noted that many Liberians still seek medical treatment abroad, a reality he described as unsustainable for the majority of citizens.
“Too often, when people fall ill, the first instinct is to seek treatment abroad. Not everyone has that opportunity, which is why we must strengthen our healthcare system at home,” the statement added.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving services at JFK Medical Center, Liberia’s referral hospital, while acknowledging that challenges remain.
“As we acknowledge that challenges remain, we must continue rebuilding and improving. Development does not happen overnight, but through commitment and consistency,” the Executive Mansion statement said.
According to global health data from the World Health Organization, hearing impairment affects approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide-about 20 percent of the global population-and could rise significantly by 2050 without urgent intervention.
The government says the new initiative aligns with its broader ARREST Agenda, aimed at strengthening specialized healthcare services. At JFK, authorities are working to restore and expand ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services, which operated continuously between 1972 and 1989.
Officials report that since late 2022, at least 3,000 patients have been treated under renewed interventions, with roughly 60 percent of cases related to ear and hearing conditions.
Plans are also underway to expand screening services, improve early detection, particularly among children, and integrate hearing care into national health policy to ensure long-term sustainability.
President Boakai praised the Rotary Club for its continued support, describing the intervention as critical to improving public health outcomes.
“As a Rotarian myself, I understand the depth of the Club’s impact, especially here in Liberia, even during times of crisis,” the Executive Mansion quoted the President as saying.
In a related development, Rotary officials disclosed a separate US$102,000 project aimed at constructing safe water facilities in rural Montserrado County, further underscoring the organization’s role in community development.
The hearing care initiative marks a significant step in Liberia’s efforts to expand access to specialized medical services and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
