The John F. Kennedy Medical Center, the nation’s leading public referral hospital, still falls far short of being a state-of-the-art facility. It lacks nearly all the basic essential equipment and manpower needed to reach that level. Hospital authorities have said.
Established in 1971 and named after the 35th President of the United States, JFK has been the country’s largest referral facility for over five decades. It has played a critical role in providing healthcare services and training medical professionals. However, the current state of the facility raises serious concerns about its ability to fulfill its mission.
Despite the challenges, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Linda Birch reported that the hospital is virtually empty. Dr. Birch emphasized that the hospital lacks fundamental resources, including cooking equipment in the kitchen. Consequently, kitchen staff and relatives of patients are resorting to using coal pots—traditional locally made cooking devices—to prepare meals.
Dr. Birch made her comments on March 3, 2025, during a visit from House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon. “The cooking equipment is no longer operational, and the kitchen resembles an abandoned space. Families have been forced to rely on coal pots to prepare food for their loved ones,” she stated.
Some kitchen staff have indicated that the hospital needs at least 15 to 20 cookers and a few microwaves for timely meal preparation. “There isn’t a single microwave in any of these kitchens, and we desperately need cookers. We need about 15 to 20 cookers. We are currently understaffed. Women are lifting heavy cooking pots, which is not good for us. Imagine cooking two to three bags of rice every day in this kitchen alone. It’s really straining,” said a kitchen staff member. The issue of inadequate cooking equipment is only one of several challenges facing the hospital. Other significant concerns include a shortage of beds, insufficient medical supplies, and the need for salary increases.
Madam Finda Doblah, Nursing Supervisor in the Surgical Ward of JFK, highlighted the problem of inadequate staff as a major issue, particularly in that critical department. Supervisor Doblah reported that the Surgical Ward has a nurse-to-patient ratio of one nurse for 14 to 16 patients, compared to the universally accepted ratio of one nurse for four or five patients.
“If we have nine patients to one nurse, it means that we don’t have many patients at that time,” explained Finda Doblah. “Patients are supposed to receive medication at specific times, and having one nurse responsible for so many patients makes this challenging. It complicates timely medication administration and dressing changes, which should occur two to three times daily. Consequently, one nurse may have to perform that task 30 to 45 times in a single day, in addition to other patient care responsibilities. This situation seriously jeopardizes patient care and the healing process.”
Furthermore, the hospital’s overall infrastructure is in dire need of improvement, amplifying the challenges faced by both staff and patients. Electricity has become a significant issue for JFK, prompting Dr. Birch to state that the hospital requires approximately $260,000 to purchase two generators.
“We need a little over 900 personnel. Certain services cannot be provided without the necessary manpower. The budget must prioritize salary and equipment seriously. We need about $15 million annually to run JFK effectively. When equipped, the hospital can operate and sustain itself, which requires having the proper resources in place. Funds raised go toward feeding, transportation, and compensation for volunteers.”
In response to these issues, Speaker Koon has pledged to work with members of the 55th Legislature to ensure that JFK’s budget is increased in the upcoming fiscal year. “It was valuable for us to take this tour. It was essential to gather firsthand information. Based on what we learned, there is a clear lack of equipment and logistics at this hospital, and we will do everything possible, as the appropriating arm of government, to make JFK a state-of-the-art facility,” he stated. Speaker Koon also promised to personally fund the construction of a $20,000 incinerator for proper waste disposal.
“We need to address the oxygen supply issue, which is crucial for the nation and its people. If there is a supplementary budget period, we will allocate funds for these key necessities,” he added.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
