Tappita – The Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Anthony G. Myers, on Saturday, August 29, hailed the upgrade and ongoing expansion of the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital as a major step toward strengthening Liberia’s health system outside the nation’s Capital, Monrovia.
By Franklin Doloquee
Deputy Minister Myers, speaking on behalf of MFDP Minister Augustine Kpeh Ngafuan during the delegatory and ground-breaking ceremony of several projects, including the duplex housing unit and the extension of the hospital emergency room at the Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital in Tappita, said the minister still recalls his role during the 2000 currency transition at the Central Bank of Liberia(CBL) and praised local and national officials who helped secure funding for the hospital’s construction and operation.
“The upgrade of the Jackson Fiah Doe (JFD) Memorial Regional Referral Hospital into the second national referral hospital is a priority public investment under the Public Sector Recovery Program (PSRP),” the deputy minister stated.
“The inclusion of Jackson Fiah Doe in the Public Sector Recovery Program (PSRP ) demonstrates the government’s recognition that strengthening health care infrastructure outside Monrovia is fundamental to inclusive national development.”
Funding, performance and next phases
The deputy minister disclosed that since the hospital’s incorporation into the national budget in 2010, the Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital has been allocated a total of US$ $44.4 million, including US$3.9 million for fiscal year 2026.
He noted ed that these allocations may still be insufficient for the growing demands of the hospital’s catchment area, especially as road improvements make travel to referral centers faster and more frequent.
The MFDP commended the Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital Management for the efficient use of budgeted funds.
According to Deputy Minister Myers, in Fiscal Year 2025 the hospital’s budget execution rate exceeded the national health center average of 97 percent, adding that such stewardship strengthens the case for additional resources amid declining external aid.
“High budget execution signals the need for more resources,” he said, noting the MFDP efforts to absorb critical programs previously supported by external partners into the national budget.
The ceremony also marked the groundbreaking for an emergency room and intensive care unit annex along with three additional staff duplexes.
The deputy minister intimated that suitable staff accommodation is essential to recruit and retain doctors, nurses and specialists needed if JFD is to function effectively as a second national referral hospital.
Policy to practice
Deputy Minister Myers praised Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital for translating public health policy into concrete plans, budgets and results.
He said the hospital followed the sequence from concept to budget to implementation, a model other facilities should emulate.
“A national development agenda becomes meaningful when priorities are reflected in the budget, translated into investment projects and ultimately delivered to citizens,” Deputy Minister Myers asserted.
Broader impact
Deputy Minister Myers averred that strengthening the Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital will relieve pressure on Monrovia hospitals such as JFK by redirecting referrals from Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Nimba and other counties.
The deputy minister emphasized that faster, higher-quality emergency care directly improves survival for life-threatening conditions.
He concluded by congratulating the JFD Management, the people of Nimba County, and the government and people of Liberia for the progress.
Meanwhile, following his speech, Deputy Minister Myers was honored by citizens of Tappita District, Nimba County, for his continued support toward the health sector, especially the Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital.
Representative Dorwoan Gleekia of District Number Six and Senator Nya D Twayen Jr praised Deputy Minister Myers for his continued support toward the hospital, especially the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Support, with backing from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung.
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