On September 20, 2024, Jahmale Medical Solutions, located in Monrovia, announced the suspension of its Imaging Services after an on-site inspection by the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) flagged the staff as unqualified. This decision came on the heels of the LMDC’s letter dated September 6, which identified four Ghanaian expatriates and five Liberian understudies working at the facility as “illegal and unqualified” to practice in their respective fields following an inspection. Consequently, services such as MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds, mammography, and digital X-rays have been suspended since September 7, 2024, although the hospital stated that all other services remain operational. The management of Jahmale expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by this suspension.
Despite being repeatedly cleared by the LMDC in annual inspections since 2018, Jahmale Medical Solutions found itself facing significant scrutiny this time. The center has consistently received Registration Certificates, including for 2024, which affirm its capacity to operate within the medical field. Jahmale’s management welcomed the LMDC’s movement toward the licensure of sonographers and radiographers, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing healthcare standards in Liberia. However, they expressed concern regarding the lack of consistency in the LMDC’s recent actions, which they argue should align with established administrative practices and reflect the actual context of licensure issues that have persisted in both public and private healthcare sectors.
In an effort to address the situation, Jahmale Medical Solutions is collaborating with the LMDC and the Ministry of Health. On September 12, the LMDC issued temporary permits for the expatriate staff to continue working while full licensing procedures were processed. The expatriate staff had temporarily returned to Ghana pending the completion of their licensing. The management of Jahmale highlighted that the engagement between LMDC officials and their management team on September 18 produced constructive dialogues enhancing cooperation between the two bodies. They noted having met all requirements for licensure and look forward to the timely issuance of full licenses for their staff.
The management emphasized that the Ghanaian staff are well-qualified professionals, trained at esteemed institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana, and are equipped with licenses from the Allied Health Professions Council of Ghana. They underscored that the expatriate team has showcased exemplary professionalism and care over the past five years, positively impacting the medical community in Liberia. Additionally, the five Liberian understudies have undergone relevant training and are presently completing their mandatory practical training under the guidance of the already established staff members.
Jahmale Medical Solutions remains committed to providing high-quality medical imaging services and is determined to resolve the current licensure issues swiftly. The management has articulated their willingness to work closely with the LMDC to facilitate an improved licensing framework that might benefit all public and private healthcare institutions facing similar challenges. The hospital reiterated its commitment to maintain its cooperation with regulatory bodies to ensure that all processes needed for license issuance become more transparent and effective moving forward.
The management finalized their statement by thanking everyone who has contributed to resolving the issue at hand, expressing appreciation for the support received during this period. They conveyed optimism for a conducive solution that would foster collaboration between Jahmale and the LMDC, ultimately allowing them to resume full imaging services and enhance the healthcare landscape in Liberia. Through this initiative, Jahmale aims to continue delivering exemplary healthcare services while adhering to the newly intensified regulatory measures introduced by the LMDC.
