President Joseph N. Boakai has praised the Rotary Club for what he described as a “critical and life-saving intervention” in Liberia’s health sector, while calling on citizens to rebuild trust in local medical services instead of seeking treatment abroad.
Speaking at a program marking the Rotary Club’s latest contribution to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK), the President highlighted the installation of oxygen plants and other essential medical equipment as a major step toward strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
“This is not just a donation, it is a commitment to saving lives,” Boakai said. “The Rotary Club has demonstrated that even in times of crisis, communities can rely on institutions that are dedicated to service.” Boakai emphasized that while many Liberians still seek foreign medical care, the focus must now shift to improving and trusting domestic facilities.
“Not everyone will leave this country for treatment. Our effort must be to build here, for the majority of our people,” he narrated. Also, the Liberian leader pointed to recent improvements at JFK, including better sanitation and upgraded services, as signs of progress.
He recalled feedback from citizens who described the hospital as “smell-free” for the first time in years, an indication, he said, that reforms are beginning to take hold. The President also used the occasion to challenge both public servants and citizens to adopt a culture of accountability and competence.
“We cannot continue in a system where we pretend to pay, and people pretend to work. We must recognize and reward competence if we are to move forward,” Boakai noted. Highlighting Rotary’s broader impact, President Boakai praised the organization’s long-standing commitment to community development, youth empowerment, and humanitarian service.
He referenced the club’s guiding “Four-Way Test,” which promotes truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit, as a model for national values. Beyond infrastructure, the President stressed the importance of nurturing a spirit of volunteerism among young Liberians. The President, “We must teach our young people that it is more blessed to give than to receive, urging Rotary to expand its outreach across the country, including underserved rural areas.
Boakai also reaffirmed the government’s partnership with development organizations and pledged that donated medical equipment would be properly installed and utilized at JFK and other facilities. “As we build our nation together, every contribution counts. The Rotary Club has shown what is possible when commitment meets action.” The event brought together government officials, healthcare workers, and members of the Rotary Club, marking another chapter in public-private collaboration aimed at improving Liberia’s healthcare delivery system.
