-Patients Decry G.W. Harley Hospital Fee Hike
BY: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia – The G.W. Harley Hospital, one of government’s referral hospitals in the capital of Nimba County new fee hike has sparked concerns among patients about the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services. According to verified cash receipts obtained by Women Voices News, patients are being charged exorbitantly for a one-time admittance service fee over LD$21,530, which covers initial treatment, medication, and related services.
The fee hike is part of the Government of Liberia’s Community Revolving Drugs Fund and Cost-Sharing Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Health to sustain essential drug supplies, improve service delivery, and address budget shortfalls. However, patients from low income families argued that this policy has made healthcare services unaffordable, especially for the poor. Patients are also required to purchase medications from the hospital’s pharmacy, which they feel is overpriced.
Several newborn babies’ mothers expressed total frustration and stress, stating that the hospital demands payment before providing healthcare services. “This government health facility has become a private and money-making area at our detriment,” one patient lamented.
Speaking with newsmen Saturday at the hospital compound under condition of anonymity, patients noted. “At this hospital, we are given certain paper to buy drugs only at the hospital’s pharmacy. We are not allowed to buy from outside of the hospital, and when we go out to buy hospital’s prescribed medications, that medicines can’t be administered to us, so we can buy medicine from the hospital based on their own offered price.”
The situation is further complicated by a recent donation of medical supplies and equipment valued at over $236,000 by Nimba County Senator Samuel Kogar to the Nimba County Health Team. The substantial contribution of medical supplies and ongoing support reflect a vital partnership aimed at uplifting the healthcare system in Nimba County, ensuring better access and quality of care for its residents.
Several members of the Nimba County Health Team, including Karntay Deemie, Clinical Health Services Director, Alex Lawah Gban, Dr. Menlee Gboo and Dr. Dolo received the supplies at the time. Patients are questioning the accountability and transparency of the hospital administration, wondering what happened to the donated medications as the hospital administration sells medications to them. The fee hike at G.W. Harley Hospital has sparked concerns about the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in Nimba County.
While the hospital administration cites the need to sustain essential drug supplies and improve service delivery, patients argued that the policy has made healthcare unaffordable for many. The controversy surrounding the donated medical supplies and equipment has further eroded trust in the hospital administration. As the hospital continues to face challenges, patients hope for more affordable and accessible healthcare services.
The grieving patients purchasing medicines from the G. W. Harley Hospital’s administration, through the hospital’s pharmacy, left them with doubts and serious questions as to what happened to the medications supplied to the health facility by Senator Kogar. The hospital’s administration remains unresponsive to address the concerns about donated medical supplies and equipment.
Meanwhile, the situation at G.W. Harley Hospital in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, Liberia, is indeed concerning, with several hospital beds left empty due to patients fearing exorbitant fees and opting for home service instead. Patients are required to purchase medical drugs and basic materials, in addition to the services provided by health workers, making healthcare unaffordable for many.
