MONROVIA – A woman was forced to give birth outside the government-run Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town, Montserrado County, due to the unavailability of hospital beds, according to eyewitness reports. The woman’s identity was withheld by her family, but the incident, which unfolded in full view of bystanders, has sparked outrage among local residents and reignited concerns about the deteriorating state of Liberia’s public health system.
Eyewitnesses said women nearby rushed to assist by surrounding the laboring mother with their lappas to preserve her dignity. “It is a shame for a government hospital to lack beds,” one of the women told our reporter in anger. Another woman, who identified herself only as Ma Mammie, blamed government mismanagement and widespread corruption for the ongoing crisis in the health sector. “The government does not care about the country’s most pressing needs, especially health facilities,” she said.
The situation comes just days after the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto, introduced a controversial new fee structure across all public hospitals in Liberia. Announced on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the policy mandates that patients now pay for many services that were previously offered free of charge.
Under the new pricing scheme, adult and pregnant women registration costs 200 Liberian Dollars (LRD), children’s registration is 100 LRD, ambulance services are 2,000 LRD, and patient feeding and medical reports are each set at 500 LRD per day. General ward admission now costs 1,000 LRD per day, while private and semi-private wards cost 5,000 and 2,500 LRD respectively. While programs like immunization and antenatal care remain free, most surgical procedures now require payment. A cesarean section is priced at 50 USD, with major surgeries such as mastectomies and prostatectomies ranging from 75 to 200 USD.
The Ministry of Health has yet to issue a public statement explaining the rationale behind the sweeping changes. The absence of an official explanation or public awareness campaign has led to growing frustration and confusion among citizens, many of whom rely on government facilities for affordable care.
Critics argue that the revised health policy risks excluding thousands of low-income Liberians from accessing vital medical services. Health advocates are now urging the government to provide clarity, reconsider the cost burden on citizens, and implement safeguards to ensure that the most vulnerable are not denied essential care.
Meanwhile, as the Boakai administration faces mounting criticism over its health policy, the image of a woman delivering her baby on the pavement of a major hospital serves as a stark symbol of the systemic failings that continue to plague Liberia’s public health sector.
