Voinjama, Lofa County – More than 400 healthcare workers from across Lofa County staged an indefinite go-slow on Monday, protesting the appointment of Dr. Raphael Ombeni Shamavu as County Health Officer (CHO) by Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey
The aggrieved healthcare workers, including nurses, registrars, dispensers, laboratory technicians, and cleaners, shut down 51 clinics and five health centers across Lofa County. The county’s four major hospitals remained open with skeleton staff to handle emergency cases.
The healthcare workers, represented by their spokesman Dorfelson Jayguhwaiyan, stated that the go-slow was in response to Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto’s refusal to revoke Dr. Raphael Ombeni Shamavu’s appointment, which they have vehemently resisted and challenged.
Mr. Jayguhwaiyan explained that the workers are rejecting Dr. Shamavu’s appointment due to his alleged poor leadership at Kolahun Hospital, where he previously served as Medical Director.
“We’re vehemently resisting the appointment of Dr. Raphael due to his bad leadership. Dr. Shamavu is autocratic, toxic, and narcissistic,” Jayguhwaiyan said. “He did a lot of things at Kolahun Hospital that negatively affected the welfare of healthcare workers. Bringing such a man to head the Lofa County Health System is against the interests of healthcare workers in the county.”
Mr. Jayguhwaiyan told FrontPage Africa that in early May 2024, healthcare workers in Lofa County objected to Dr. Shamavu’s induction. Despite their resistance, he has been performing official tasks in his role as CHO, including signing financial documents and attending workshops.
“Imagine, Dr. Shamavu has not taken over officially, but he is signing financial documents and attending workshops as the County Health Officer (CHO) of Lofa County,” Jayguhwaiyan said.
The spokesman claimed that they have communicated their concerns to Health Minister Dr. Kpoto multiple times, but the Minister has refused to address their complaints. The workers believe that staging an indefinite go-slow was their only remaining option.
Jayguhwaiyan emphasized that the healthcare workers remain resolute in their decision and will continue their protest until Dr. Jayguhwaiyan’s appointment is revoked. FrontPage Africa contacted Dr. Shamavu but is phone did not ring. The Ministry of Health has not responded to the health workers’ action.
