The Liberian Senate convened on March 13, 2025, to address pressing concerns regarding the dire state of the country’s healthcare system. Sparked by Senator Momo T. Cyrus of Lofa County, the senators engaged in a heated discussion about the uneven and incomplete disbursement of funds allocated to county hospitals in the 2024 national budget. Senator Cyrus questioned whether political favoritism played a role in the full disbursement of funds to Grand Bassa, Nimba, and Bong counties, while other counties, including his own, had received less than 25% of their allocated funds. He challenged the Ministry of Finance’s claim that Lofa County had not submitted financial reports, presenting evidence to the contrary.
The debate intensified with contributions from other senators who painted a grim picture of the healthcare situation in their respective counties. Senator Amara M. Konneh of Gbarpolu County lamented the Ministry of Finance’s failure to fully disburse allocated funds, despite budgetary support, leading to a severe shortage of essential medicines and compromising healthcare delivery. He urged the Senate to take decisive action and summon both the Ministers of Finance and Health to provide explanations for the delays. Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa of Grand Kru County echoed these concerns, describing the healthcare system in his county as deplorable and in urgent need of intervention. He revealed that Grand Kru County Hospital had received only US$20,000 out of the allocated US$100,000, highlighting the severe lack of resources, including ambulances and essential medical equipment. He also emphasized the critical shortage of healthcare personnel, with half of the existing staff being unpaid volunteers.
While Senator Nyan D. Tweyan, Jr. of Nimba County acknowledged the challenges faced by his county’s health sector, including the lack of drugs and the precarious situation of volunteer health workers, he refuted claims of preferential treatment. He stressed the urgent need for the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Service Agency to address the issue of unpaid volunteers, which was forcing many to leave the county. The concerns raised by these senators reflected a broader pattern of inadequate funding and resource allocation across various counties, jeopardizing the health and well-being of Liberians.
In response to the senators’ collective outcry, the Liberian Senate resolved to summon the Ministers of Health and Finance, along with the Civil Service Agency (CSA), to appear before the Senate Committee of the Whole and provide a comprehensive explanation for the delayed disbursement of funds. The Senate mandated that the three entities be represented by their heads and principal deputies, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. As part of its commitment to accountability, the Senate also demanded that the Minister of Health furnish a detailed budget and performance report for fiscal year 2024, including a comprehensive list of imported and distributed drugs.
Furthermore, the Senate requested the Minister of Health to appear alongside representatives from other key health institutions, including the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the National Drugs Service (NDS). This expanded inquiry aimed to ascertain the reasons behind the shortage of drugs in health centers, despite budgetary allocations for their procurement. The Senate’s investigation seeks to address the systemic issues hindering effective healthcare delivery in Liberia and ensure that allocated funds reach their intended destinations.
The Liberian Senate’s decisive action reflects its commitment to holding government institutions accountable for the efficient and equitable allocation of resources. The Senate’s investigation into the delayed disbursement of funds and the resulting shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies is crucial for addressing the urgent needs of Liberia’s healthcare system. The approved budget of over US$70 million for the 2024 fiscal year, though substantial, has evidently not translated into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery. The Senate’s intervention is a critical step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and ultimately, improving the health and well-being of Liberian citizens. The summoned officials are expected to appear before the Senate on March 20, 2025.
