The Liberia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA) has sounded an urgent alarm over what it describes as unsustainable wages and glaring policy gaps undermining anesthesia services nationwide.
Marking nearly three decades of service in safe anesthesia delivery and surgical care, the Association says its members remain underpaid and undervalued despite their critical role in the health system.
LANA highlighted that, although partnerships with government and international organizations such as Mercy Ships have brought equipment and advanced training, the government has failed to adopt a proposed salary structure that would secure fair compensation and career progression.
According to the Association, fewer than 125 licensed anesthesia providers are currently serving Liberia. Their monthly earnings range between US$415 and US$600—a figure LANA insists falls well below sustainable living standards. The absence of structured salary progression and rural service incentives, the group argues, has left providers demoralized and patients vulnerable.
The shortage of anesthesia personnel has already forced many surgical patients to be referred to Monrovia, raising concerns about patient safety and equitable access to care. “Without equitable compensation and clear policy support, the system risks collapse,” the Association warned in its petition.
LANA is calling for immediate government action to: Establish minimum salary benchmarks, implement structured progression and rural incentives, and support the creation of accredited anesthesia training institutions.
The Association stressed that fair pay is not only a matter of financial justice but also a cornerstone of patient safety and expanded surgical access. “Strengthening anesthesia services is inseparable from strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system,” the petition noted.
On Capitol Hill, Representative Prince A. Toe received the petition and assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed promptly. He urged providers to return to their duties while the House reviews the request.
The protest underscores a broader challenge facing Liberia’s health sector: balancing limited resources with the urgent need to retain skilled professionals. Analysts warn that without decisive policy action, the country risks widening disparities in surgical care, particularly in rural areas where access is already fragile.
For LANA, the issue is both immediate and existential. “We cannot continue to deliver lifesaving care under conditions that disregard our professional worth,” the Association emphasized.
As the House of Representatives deliberates, the outcome will test Liberia’s commitment to strengthening its health workforce. For anesthesia providers, the stakes are clear: fair compensation, policy recognition, and the survival of safe surgical care across the nation.
