By Omari Jackson
Redemption Hospital, once a pillar of hope for the underprivileged in New Kru Town, has now become a glaring example of Liberia’s struggling healthcare system. Originally established as a government-run facility providing free medical services, the hospital has slowly shifted into a pay-to-survive system. Patients are now required to pay for every item used in their treatment—medication, syringes, gloves, and even bandages—regardless of their ability to afford them.
This shift contradicts the hospital’s founding mission: to serve as a lifeline for Liberia’s poorest citizens. Instead, Redemption has become a place where financial means determine access to medical care. Those unable to pay are often denied treatment, left to suffer, or forced to seek financial assistance before they can receive medical attention.
A Growing Crisis in Public Healthcare
Patients and their families frequently share distressing stories of their experiences at Redemption Hospital. Many recount being turned away at the emergency ward because they could not afford the required medical supplies. Others describe being asked to purchase gloves and needles before doctors or nurses would attend to them.
One frustrated mother from New Kru Town described her ordeal:
“I thought Redemption Hospital was meant to help people like me. But when I arrived with my sick child, they told me I had to buy everything the nurse needed before they could treat him. I had no money and had to borrow before they even touched my son. If I hadn’t found money in time, my child might have died.”
Her experience reflects the daily struggles of many low-income families who turn to Redemption Hospital in their most desperate moments, only to be met with financial demands.
Who is Responsible?
The fundamental question is: What happened to the government’s responsibility to fund and equip Redemption Hospital? The Ministry of Health, which oversees public healthcare institutions, is responsible for ensuring that government hospitals are stocked with necessary medical supplies and staffed with trained personnel. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
If Redemption Hospital lacks essential resources, where are the funds allocated for its operations going? The Ministry of Health must provide clear answers regarding:
- Why is Redemption Hospital failing to provide free medical services?
- What budgetary allocations are made for the hospital, and how are those funds being utilized?
- Who is responsible for ensuring that medical supplies reach the hospital, and why is there a failure in supply?
- Are there accountability mechanisms in place to prevent the misuse or mismanagement of healthcare funds?
- What immediate steps will the Ministry take to restore Redemption to its original mission of free healthcare for the poor?
These questions demand urgent attention. The continued silence from authorities only deepens public frustration and distrust in the government’s ability to provide basic services.
A Call for Action
The government cannot ignore this crisis. Lives are being lost due to delays in treatment, and the poor are being forced to choose between seeking medical attention and facing financial ruin. Redemption Hospital must be restored to its rightful place as a refuge for those in need. The following urgent steps must be taken:
A Full Audit of Redemption Hospital’s Finances: This will reveal whether funds meant for the hospital’s operations are being used appropriately or diverted elsewhere.
A Public Inquiry by the Ministry of Health: The government must investigate why patients are being asked to pay for medical supplies in a supposedly free hospital.
Immediate Provision of Medical Supplies: The Ministry of Health must ensure that Redemption Hospital is stocked with essential drugs, medical equipment, and other necessary materials.
Accountability Measures: Hospital administrators and procurement officers should be held accountable if found guilty of mismanaging or diverting resources.
Long-Term Reforms in Public Healthcare: The government must implement policies to prevent similar situations in other public hospitals and ensure accessible healthcare for all citizens.
If these actions are not taken, Redemption Hospital will remain a symbol of Liberia’s failing healthcare system—a place where the most vulnerable are left to suffer because they cannot afford to pay. The people of New Kru Town and surrounding communities deserve better.
Healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege for those who can afford it. It is time for the government to step up and fulfill its duty to the Liberian people. Failure to act will not only lead to continued suffering but will also further erode public trust in Liberia’s healthcare system.