By Bill W. Cooper
The Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA) has launched three new academic programs, including Nurse Anaesthesia, Perioperative Technician, and Radiography, to address the increasing need for skilled healthcare professionals in Liberia.
The official launch ceremony, held at the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre (JFKMC), brought together government officials, international partners, and healthcare leaders, among others, as part of a national effort to improve maternal and general health outcomes across the country.
The Senior Advisor and Head of Project in the Office of the First Lady, Dr. Adam Kyne, served as the chief launcher of the initiative. He said, “This is not just a building—it is a declaration, a national promise that no mother should die while giving life.”
According to him, the new programs aim to close gaps in the healthcare system by building a well-trained, resilient workforce, and he added, “This launch represents a movement toward sustainable health transformation through education and service.”
The John F. Kennedy Medical Centre Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Linda A. Birch praised TNIMA’s longstanding contribution to medical education in Liberia and noted, “We are proud to be the nation’s teaching hospital. JFK is not just a hospital, it is Liberia’s pride.”
Dr. Birch, at the same time, disclosed the growing demand for specialised care and urged greater investment in health education and infrastructure.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Dr. Olu Olushayo Oluseun described the launch as a critical step in enhancing healthcare access and said, “Liberia’s core health workforce density is just 11 per 10,000 people, only 20% of the Sustainable Development Goal target.”
Dr. Olu Olushayo Oluseun then reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health with both policy guidance and technical assistance.
TNIMA’s Administrator, Mrs. Sarah G.B. Kollie, outlined the goals of the new academic offerings and revealed, “These programs are designed to train competent professionals equipped to handle real-time emergencies and save lives.”
She emphasized that TNIMA is committed to meeting international training standards, ensuring that students from the institution become the country’s next professional specialised doctors and nurses.
Meanwhile, TNIMA also unveiled a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory to enhance practical training for nursing and midwifery students.
The facility, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) and Human Resources for Health (HRH) project, allows students to experience real-life healthcare scenarios in a controlled environment.
The laboratory is equipped with advanced medical mannequins, birthing simulators, diagnostic tools, and emergency response setups that replicate real patient interactions, as these tools enable students to practice a wide range of procedures, including prenatal assessments, delivery techniques, neonatal care, and postnatal management.
A midwife and veteran instructor at TNIMA, Janet O. Paye, explained the lab’s significance and said, “It provides a safe space for students to repeatedly practice clinical procedures, from basic patient care to complex childbirth emergencies, helping build their confidence and skills.”
She added that with the launch of the lab, students in TNIMA’s nursing and midwifery programs will now undergo a structured, hands-on training regimen in the simulation laboratory throughout their academic years.
Established decades ago, TNIMA has trained more than 3,000 paramedical professionals and continues to play a vital role in Liberia’s healthcare delivery system, ensuring the well-being and safety of all Liberians.
Its programs in Environmental Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Physician Assistantship, and Laboratory Technology remain essential to strengthening the country’s already fragile health sector.
