-CEO Reveals Use of Coal-Pots in Hospital Kitchen
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Dr. Linda Birch, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), disclosed that the hospital’s kitchen has resorted to using coal pots for meal preparation due to the deplorable state of its facilities. The disclosure was made on Monday, March 3, 2025, during a tour of the hospital along with Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon.
Dr. Birch explained that the hospital’s kitchen, which is primarily used by patients’ relatives to prepare meals, has become virtually non-functional. The cooking equipment is no longer operational, and the kitchen itself resembles an abandoned space. As a result, families have been forced to rely on coal pots—a traditional cooking method—to prepare food for their loved ones.
The kitchen is just one of many areas in the hospital suffering from neglect. Workers at JFKMC have raised concerns about a range of issues, including inadequate staffing, a shortage of beds, insufficient medical supplies, and the need for salary increments. The overall infrastructure of the hospital is also in urgent need of improvement, further compounding the challenges faced by both staff and patients.
Established in 1971 and named after the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy Medical Center has long been Liberia’s flagship institution for advanced medical care and education. For over five decades, it has played a critical role in providing healthcare services and training the nation’s medical professionals. However, the current state of the facility raises serious concerns about its ability to fulfill its mission.
