Less than a day after the Ministry of Health called for calm at the Phebe Hospital in Bong County, aggrieved workers on Monday, February 23, 2026, continued their strike action over several dissatisfactions, including salaries and a poor working environment.
It can be recalled that the Ministry of Health, on Sunday, February 22, expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis and pending strike actions by health workers at Phebe Hospital in Bong County, which threaten to disrupt essential healthcare services to citizens and residents of Bong County and surrounding communities.
The Ministry emphasized that the management and operation of Phebe Hospital are principally entrusted to its governing partners the Methodist, Episcopal, and Lutheran Churches, which have historically provided leadership and stewardship in the administration of the institution, calling on the churches and the Hospital’s Board of Directors to urgently intervene and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to amicably resolve the matter and prevent any disruption of normal health services.
The Ministry dispatched a team of senior officials to assess the situation and provide immediate and short-term interventions to ensure continuity of services, while simultaneously engaging the governing partners and Board of Directors toward a sustainable resolution, while appealing to the dedicated health workers of Phebe Hospital to consider the lives and well-being of patients who depend on their care.
It added that while grievances are acknowledged and must be addressed through constructive engagement, the Ministry urges that essential services continue uninterrupted, especially for vulnerable patients requiring urgent and life-saving care, stating that the health and safety of the public must remain paramount.
The ministry’s plea seems to have gone unheard, as workers were seen early Monday morning locking major entrances to the facility in response to longstanding issues that the hospital administration has failed to address.
The employees are demanding the dismissal of the hospital administration, including Medical Director, Dr. Ricks, and Administrator Jonathan Pewu, and Human Resources Officer Abraham Gbalawoe. They are also seeking clarification regarding the US$700 that appears in their accounts labeled as “Current Balance,” despite receiving only US$150 as “Available Balance.”
Additionally, the facility is reported to be in poor condition, with dilapidated beds for patients and a lack of sanitary materials needed to maintain cleanliness. The Liberia National Police have been dispatched to the scene to help manage the situation, but no satisfactory resolution has been reached yet.
