By D Abraham Cooper sr
ZWEDRU, GRAND GEDEH COUNTY – In a landmark moment for healthcare delivery in South-Eastern Liberia, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung officially dedicated the Grand Gedeh County Referral Hospital today, January 22, 2026.
The ceremony, held on the hospital’s newly minted grounds in Zwedru, drew a massive gathering of jubilant citizens, traditional leaders, and international partners, signaling a new era of medical accessibility for the region.
A Legacy of Continuity
During his keynote address, Vice President Koung framed the hospital’s completion as a triumph of national unity and administrative continuity.
He extended profound gratitude to the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Germany for their foundational role in financing and supporting the project.
In a rare show of political bridge-building, the Vice President highlighted the contributions of three successive administrations:
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Commended for her initial diplomatic lobbying with the German government to secure the project.
Former President George Weah: Recognized for breaking ground and overseeing the primary construction phases.
President Joseph Boakai: Praised for prioritizing the project’s completion and equipping the facility to ensure it met modern medical standards.
”This facility stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize the health of our citizens over political lines,” VP Koung told the cheering crowd. “From the first conversation in Monrovia to the final brick laid here in Zwedru, this is Liberia’s success story.”
Impact on the Region
The new referral hospital is expected to drastically reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to Monrovia for specialized care. The facility is equipped to serve not only Grand Gedeh but also neighboring communities who have long struggled with limited medical infrastructure.
Community Reaction
Local leaders expressed immense relief at the opening. Traditional elders noted that the facility represents “hope” for the elderly and pregnant women in remote areas who previously faced life-threatening delays in reaching professional care.
The Vice President concluded the event with a symbolic ribbon-cutting and a guided tour of the diagnostic wings, urging the hospital administration and the citizens to maintain the facility with the utmost care.
