By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Liberia’s march toward healthcare self-sufficiency has taken a decisive leap forward as the West African College of Physicians (WACP) concluded a landmark two-day accreditation exercise for the Community Health Residency Program of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS). The mission, hailed as a turning point in specialist medical education, underscores Liberia’s growing stature in regional healthcare reform.
Led by Professor Hadiza Agbo, WACP’s Accrediting Officer, the delegation of three distinguished professors arrived in Monrovia on June 17, 2026, at the invitation of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) in collaboration with LCPS. Their task: to evaluate progress since the program’s last review in 2023 and determine readiness for full accreditation.
The residency program, hosted at Redemption Hospital under JFKMC’s auspices, is one of ten specialist faculties operated by LCPS. It represents Liberia’s bold commitment to training physicians who can tackle the nation’s most pressing community health challenges.
During inception meetings at JFKMC, Professor Agbo emphasized WACP’s regional mandate to uphold rigorous standards in postgraduate medical education. “This visit reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence across West Africa,” she declared.
The delegation, accompanied by LCPS Assistant Secretary General Dr. Benetta Andrews, conducted a sweeping assessment of clinical and training facilities. Their tour included the Chest Clinic, Pediatric Ward, Maternal Ward, Vaccination Unit at Redemption Hospital, and the state-of-the-art simulation lab at JFKMC.
In a subsequent meeting with LCPS leadership, headed by President Professor John K. Mulbah, the delegation presented preliminary observations. Professor Agbo commended LCPS for “notable progress in strengthening training programs, expanding institutional capacity, and advancing specialist medical education”
Among the recommendations were calls to: Strengthen institutional resources, expand practical training opportunities, and enhance access to modern learning tools and clinical experiences.
Professor Agbo urged continued investment to position the Community Health residency program for full accreditation, a milestone that would cement Liberia’s place in the regional medical education landscape.
Professor Mulbah welcomed the findings with optimism. “We are grateful to the West African College of Physicians for its enduring partnership and commitment to advancing specialist medical education in Liberia,” he said. “The recommendations will further strengthen our programs and ensure we produce highly skilled specialists capable of meeting the healthcare needs of our people.”
He pledged swift implementation of WACP’s recommendations, signaling Liberia’s determination to achieve full accreditation.
The accreditation exercise highlights Liberia’s remarkable progress in rebuilding its specialist healthcare workforce. In 2013, the nation counted barely 15 specialist physicians. Today, LCPS has trained 155 specialists across multiple disciplines, dramatically expanding capacity to deliver quality healthcare.
This September, LCPS will celebrate its 10th Convocation Ceremony, graduating another cohort of specialists — a milestone in Liberia’s journey toward health sector self-sufficiency.
Liberia’s investment in postgraduate medical education is paying dividends. With strong regional partnerships, sustained institutional development, and a growing cadre of highly trained specialists, the country is steadily building the human resource capacity required to meet evolving health needs.
The accreditation mission by WACP is more than a procedural exercise — it is a resounding endorsement of Liberia’s progress and a beacon of hope for the nation’s healthcare future.
The Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, established to train specialist physicians and strengthen the national healthcare system, operates ten residency faculties. It remains at the forefront of efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce for Liberia and the wider West African region.
