Boakai Faces Growing Pressure

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

MONROVIA, Liberia, November 11, 2026 – Four major health workers’ organizations have threatened unspecified action against the government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai over longstanding employment and welfare concerns, demanding the immediate placement of more than 3,800 volunteer health workers on the government payroll and a minimum monthly salary of US$500 for bachelor’s degree-qualified health professionals.

The organizations also want increased budgetary allocations for the health sector and the speedy passage of the National Public Health Law, warning that continued government inaction could disrupt healthcare services beginning January 2027.

“We are tired of promises. We are tired of waiting. We are tired of all the sweet declarations. We need action,” declared Meshach S. Karmo Jr., National Vice President for Administration of the Liberian Nurses Association (LNA).

Karmo made the statement Tuesday while reading a joint declaration at a press conference on Capitol Bye-Pass in Monrovia.

The statement was issued by the Liberian Nurses Association, Liberia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA), National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL), and Liberia National Physician Assistant Association.

The organizations accused the Boakai administration of neglecting healthcare professionals despite their critical contributions to the country’s struggling healthcare delivery system.

Central to their grievances is the continued exclusion of more than 3,800 qualified volunteer health workers from the government payroll, with some reportedly serving in public hospitals and clinics for between five and 20 years without regular compensation.

“Fifteen to twenty years of volunteering is not a joke. It goes beyond sacrifice,” the organizations declared, describing the prolonged situation as exploitation disguised as volunteerism.

They recalled that the government had initially promised to absorb the volunteers in 2025 before shifting its assurances to the 2026 national budget.

However, they claimed that they could not establish whether even 20 of the more than 3,800 volunteers had been formally employed.

The organizations are demanding a transparent, adequately funded, and time-bound recruitment process to address the situation.

Beyond payroll placement, they are calling for a minimum monthly take-home salary of US$500 for bachelor’s degree-qualified health professionals, arguing that many currently earn less than US$300 despite their qualifications and responsibilities.

“We are not demanding luxury. We are demanding fairness. We are not asking for privileges. We are demanding compensation that reflects our education, professional responsibility, sacrifices, and contribution to national development,” the statement emphasized.

The health workers also questioned the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns under the proposed US$1.53 billion national budget for Fiscal Year 2027.

According to figures presented by the organizations, the health sector has been allocated US$135.8 million, including US$95.6 million for the Ministry of Health.

Of that amount, US$47.9 million is earmarked for employee compensation, compared with US$44.78 million in the previous budget, representing an increase of approximately US$3.14 million.

However, the organizations argued that the increase could be consumed by existing personnel obligations, leaving insufficient resources to absorb thousands of volunteer health workers.

They called on the Executive and Legislature to increase the health sector’s allocation and establish specific budget lines for recruiting qualified volunteers.

The organizations warned that without dedicated funding, repeated government assurances could amount to another round of unfulfilled promises.

Meanwhile, the health workers criticized the Liberian Senate over what they described as a prolonged delay in passing the National Public Health Law, which they claimed has remained before the upper chamber for more than four years.

They said the legislation is essential to strengthening disease prevention, public health security, institutional governance, and healthcare delivery nationwide.

The organizations urged senators to expedite its passage, arguing that continued legislative delays undermine efforts to improve the country’s public health system.

During a question-and-answer session, representatives disclosed that repeated engagements with government officials had yielded little progress.

They also cited an alleged unsuccessful attempt to secure a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to discuss their concerns.

The organizations warned that January 2027 could mark a turning point in their relationship with the Boakai administration unless concrete steps are taken to address their grievances.

Although they did not announce a specific course of action, they cautioned that continued inaction could trigger disruptions across the country’s healthcare system.

The proposed 2027 national budget remains under legislative consideration, providing an opportunity for lawmakers to examine the organizations’ demands before its passage.

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