To Upgrade JFK Medical Center, Speaker Koon Pushes for $20M

In a bold move to revitalize Liberia’s leading referral hospital, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has proposed a $20 million allocation in the 2026 National Budget to upgrade the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center (JFK).

The Speaker made the announcement on Monday, March 3, 2025, after touring the facility to assess its condition and determine the level of legislative support needed for its transformation.

His proposal represents a massive funding increase compared to the current $7.1 million allocation, which falls significantly short of the hospital’s operational and infrastructural needs.

Speaker Koon’s proposed budget increase aims to fund major renovations, increase salaries for healthcare workers, and expand the hospital’s capacity to serve more patients.

He emphasized that investing in JFK’s infrastructure is critical to improving healthcare services for Liberians.

“The state of our healthcare system must change, and that change begins with JFK. This is not just an investment in a hospital—it is an investment in the health and future of the Liberian people,” Speaker Koon stated during his visit.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to long-term healthcare improvements, emphasizing that transforming JFK into a state-of-the-art medical facility is essential for national progress.

Touring the hospital alongside Speaker Koon, JFK Chief Executive Officer Dr. Linda Birch detailed several critical challenges facing the institution, including: the hospital lacks sufficient medical professionals to meet patient demands, essential drugs and equipment are often unavailable, many facilities within the hospital are in dire need of renovation and modernization.

Dr. Birch expressed hope that Speaker Koon’s initiative would pave the way for a historic transformation of JFK, addressing the long-standing deficiencies that have plagued the institution.

With Liberia’s healthcare system under immense strain, Speaker Koon’s proposal is expected to spark debate among lawmakers on whether to approve the full $20 million request. However, many see it as a necessary step toward strengthening the nation’s medical capacity.

The proposal also aligns with President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to governance reforms, which prioritize infrastructure development and service delivery in critical sectors, including healthcare.

As the 2026 budget deliberations approach, all eyes will be on the House of Representatives and the Senate to see whether Speaker Koon’s proposal will gain bipartisan support.

If passed, the $20 million allocation could mark a turning point in Liberia’s healthcare system, ensuring better medical care for thousands of citizens.

For now, the people of Liberia—especially those relying on JFK for treatment—are hopeful that this ambitious plan will move from proposal to reality, bringing much-needed change to the nation’s premier medical facility.