On Monday, March 17, 2025, Richard Nagbe Koon, the Majority Bloc Speaker of the House of Representatives, officially launched efforts to construct a $20,000 incinerator at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK).
This initiative fulfills a promise he made on March 3, 2025, to enhance JFK’s waste management system.
An incinerator is a furnace designed to burn waste materials, significantly reducing their volume and potentially generating energy or heat. It is especially useful for treating hazardous waste, including medical waste, by incinerating it at high temperatures to eliminate harmful substances.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Speaker Koon highlighted that his decision to fund this project reflects his commitment to improving healthcare services at JFK and throughout the country. He confirmed that the $20,000 funding for the incinerator has been secured, and its successful completion now depends on the management of JFK.
Koon also mentioned that he is working with his legislative colleagues to increase JFK’s budget for 2026 to $20 million. This increase aims to ensure infrastructure improvements and address other essential needs at the health facility.
Lina E. Birch, the Chief Executive Officer of JFK, expressed her sincere gratitude for this initiative, stating that the Speaker’s support underscores his dedication to strengthening Liberia’s health sector.
Birch noted that the hospital currently spends over $40,000 on waste disposal, which is a significant financial burden. The completion of the incinerator will provide vital relief and effectively resolve JFK’s long-standing waste management issues.
According to the Chief Engineer from SP Innovative Services Company, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, the project is expected to be fully completed within 90 days.
