Africa-Press – Liberia. The recent wave of protests at Phebe Hospital in Bong County appears to be temporarily over following a tense demonstration on Tuesday, February 24 and the direct intervention of the Minister of Health, Louise Kpoto.
After days of uncertainty marked by a go-slow action and rising tension among staff, aggrieved health workers agreed to abandon their strike and return to normal duties, in what many described as a show of respect for the Minister and confidence in her promise to review their concerns.
Despite the apparent calm on the hospital compound, significant issues remain unresolved, particularly the suspension of seven health workers by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and the pending decision regarding the transfer of three senior administrators.
On Tuesday, Minister Kpoto held a direct dialogue with the aggrieved workers, during which she acknowledged that the employees’ twelve-count resolution contained legitimate concerns that deserved attention.
Addressing one of the central demands, which calls for the transfer of the Medical Director, the Human Resource Manager, and the Hospital’s Administrator, the Minister assured workers that the Ministry of Health would take a decision within one week.
“The Ministry of Health does not dismiss people; it only transfers people,” the Minister told the gathering in a firm but measured tone, as she urged staff to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.
Her statement appeared to ease tensions among workers who had earlier staged protest actions that disrupted normal operations at the hospital.
However, while the Minister was still engaging the health workers in Bong County, an announcement made in Monrovia introduced a new layer of controversy.
During the Tuesday press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Deputy Minister Daniel O. Sando disclosed that the Civil Service Agency had suspended seven aggrieved workers of Phebe Hospital for one month without pay, pending investigation.
According to the ministry, the decision followed a Monday meeting convened by CSA Director-General Josiah Joekai, who expressed disappointment in the protest action undertaken by the workers, most of whom are civil servants employed by the Government of Liberia.
The CSA described the protest as a violation of the Civil Service Standing Orders and characterized some of the actions as “behavior unbecoming of public servants.”
The suspended employees reportedly include the head of the Phebe Hospital Workers Association and several staff members from different departments within the hospital.
The Agency further alleged that some of the accused individuals obstructed access to the hospital and prevented colleagues from reporting to duty, while one worker was accused of escorting journalists through hospital wards during a live broadcast, thereby exposing patients to public view.
News of the suspensions spread quickly across the hospital compound and became the focal point of concern among the aggrieved workers, even as they agreed to suspend their strike action in deference to the Health Minister.
One health worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We decided to listen to the Minister because she came to us in good faith and admitted that our concerns were legitimate, but suspending our colleagues while we are choosing peace sends a painful and discouraging message to all of us.”
Another aggrieved staff member said, “We have returned to work because the lives of our patients matter to us and we respect the Minister’s promise, but we are deeply troubled that seven of our friends are now sitting at home without pay for simply standing with us during this difficult time.”
A third worker stated, “The suspension feels like punishment for speaking out about the conditions we face every day, and while we are willing to cooperate with the authorities, we believe our colleagues deserve a fair hearing without being publicly labeled as wrongdoers before any investigation is concluded.”
Another employee added, “We are not criminals; we are nurses, technicians, drivers, and support staff who have dedicated our lives to serving this hospital, and it hurts that, at the very moment we are embracing dialogue, some of us are being singled out and suspended.”
One senior staff member remarked, “We abandoned the strike because we want stability at Phebe, and we trust the Minister to handle the matter of the transfers within the week, but the issue of the suspended workers must also be addressed quickly so that unity can be restored among us.”
A sixth aggrieved worker emphasized, “We want the Government and the Board to understand that our protest was never about disrupting healthcare, but about improving the system and protecting the integrity of this institution, so we appeal for compassion and reconsideration of the suspensions in the spirit of reconciliation.”
When asked directly about the suspension decision, Minister Kpoto responded cautiously, saying, “I do not think those suspended by the Civil Service Agency will be accepted,” suggesting that further engagement on the matter may be necessary.
Following the Minister’s departure, the Board of Trustees of Phebe Hospital convened a press conference in Bong County, outlining measures already taken to address the workers’ grievances.
The Board confirmed receipt of the twelve-count resolution submitted by employees in January and disclosed that it had earlier convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the issues raised, including calls for the removal of senior management officials.
According to the Board, a new Administrator was appointed, effective February 1, while the Acting Administrator and Acting Human Resource Manager were directed to return to their substantive positions.
To ensure transparency, the Board also established a five-member Investigation Committee, chaired by the Superintendent of Bong County, with a mandate to engage employees and report its findings within one month.
Despite these measures, tensions escalated earlier this week, leading to protest actions that briefly disrupted operations at the hospital.
In its statement, the Board condemned any obstruction of hospital services and urged all employees to return to work while the investigation continues, emphasizing that the hospital remains open, with medical doctors and essential staff on duty.
Founded in 1921 by the Lutheran Church in Liberia, in partnership with the Episcopal and United Methodist Churches, Phebe Hospital has, for decades, served as a key referral facility in central Liberia, with funding support from the national government.
The question of whether the institution operates primarily as a church-run facility or a government-supported public hospital has also fueled ongoing debate among stakeholders.
For now, relative calm has returned to the hospital as staff resume their duties and patients continue to receive care.
Yet, beneath the surface, the matter remains far from settled, as the fate of the seven suspended workers and the Ministry of Health’s pending decision on the requested transfers are expected to shape the next chapter of the unfolding situation at Phebe Hospital.
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