The John F. Kennedy Medical Center has suspended Nurse Paola N. Bedell of the E.S. Grant Psychiatric Hospital with immediate effect.
According to a release, Ms. Bedell’s suspension is a result of an audio message she allegedly shared in a WhatsApp group claiming that patients with Ebola‑like symptoms were being concealed by JFK and the Ministry of Health.
The suspension comes on the same day the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) confirmed that sixteen individuals from East Africa, including the DR Congo and Uganda, are currently under surveillance after entering Liberia.
Bedell, who was arrested on Saturday, May 23, 2026, was temporarily released to her lawyer on Monday, May 25, 2026, as investigations continue.
JFK emphasized that the suspension is not a presumption of guilt, but a procedural measure to ensure an impartial and unhindered review. Bedell has been instructed to refrain from all official duties and representation until the investigation concludes.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Nurses Association (LNA), through its Public Relations Department, has strongly condemned the alleged spread of misinformation and disinformation regarding a false Ebola declaration in Liberia by Nurse Paola N. Bedell of John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
The Association describes the reported action as unethical, unprofessional, and contrary to the ethical standards, principles, and responsibilities governing healthcare professionals in Liberia. As healthcare workers, nurses and other medical practitioners are entrusted with the responsibility to provide accurate, verified, and evidence-based health information to the public, especially during matters involving national public health concerns.
The LNA believes that the circulation of false information relating to Ebola has the potential to create unnecessary panic, fear, public distrust, and social instability across the country. Such actions undermine ongoing national health efforts and damage the credibility of the healthcare sector.
At the same time, the Association wishes to clarify that while accountability is necessary, due process and professional regulatory procedures must be respected in handling matters involving licensed healthcare workers. Therefore, the LNA is calling on the relevant authorities to release and formally turn over the suspect to the appropriate professional regulatory institutions, including the Liberian Board of Nursing and Midwifery, in collaboration with the Liberia Medical and Dental Council and the Association, to conduct the necessary preliminary professional investigations before any further legal actions proceed.
The Association emphasizes that there are established rules, ethical codes, and disciplinary procedures that govern the conduct of all healthcare workers in Liberia. These institutions remain legally mandated to investigate allegations of professional misconduct and determine appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the laws and ethics of the healthcare profession.
The LNA remains committed to protecting the integrity, credibility, and professionalism of the nursing profession while supporting national public health security and responsible information dissemination.
The public is hereby encouraged to remain calm and rely only on verified information from the Ministry of Health of Liberia and authorized public health institutions regarding any disease outbreak or national health emergency.
