More than 100 patients undergoing dialysis at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia are raising alarm over what they describe as life-threatening neglect due to a severe shortage of treatment materials at the hospital’s dialysis unit.
Speaking to reporters, several patients said they are being forced to pay high fees — up to $95 per dialysis session — without receiving adequate treatment. Some say they are often turned away after paying, with hospital staff citing a lack of essential materials to carry out the procedures.
“I’ve been receiving dialysis at JFK for over five months now,” said Bill Menssah, a patient. “The fees are too high, and sometimes, after paying, we’re just sent home with only our receipts. The doctors tell us there are no materials. We are left hopeless. Just this week, we lost three of our colleagues.”
The patients expressed deep frustration and said their families, many of whom are financially strained, are struggling to support them. They claim the situation is only getting worse, with no visible intervention from health authorities.
Another patient, tearfully described the dire situation: “The doctors are doing their best, but there is not enough equipment to treat us. We are dying slowly.”
Dialysis is a critical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys stop functioning properly. Without regular dialysis, patients face life-threatening complications.
Patients at JFK are now urgently calling on the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Health to intervene and provide the necessary supplies and support to save lives.
As the crisis continues, families and caregivers of dialysis patients are pleading for immediate action to prevent further loss of life at the nation’s primary referral hospital.
