Published: July 22, 2026
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia has strongly condemned what it described as the derogatory branding of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK) as “Just for Killing,” calling the remarks an unacceptable attack on the country’s premier referral hospital and the healthcare professionals who dedicate their lives to saving patients.
Speaking Tuesday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah said the government categorically rejects the characterization, urging public officials to support public institutions rather than undermine public confidence in them.
“Because JFK is a government institution and our leading referral hospital, I, as the Government’s spokesperson, strongly reject this harmful characterization,” Piah said. “I urge all public officials to stop disrespecting our public institutions and instead contribute to strengthening them.”
The minister said his remarks were prompted by recent public comments referring to JFK as “Just for Killing,” as well as what he described as false claims circulating on social media alleging that the aircraft carrying President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. to the ECOWAS Summit had caught fire.
“I say this in reference to the false claims being circulated by some individuals alleging that the aircraft carrying President Joseph Boakai to the ECOWAS Summit caught fire. That simply did not happen. The claim is entirely false and appears to have been fabricated out of pure imagination,” he said.
Piah emphasized that public officials have a constitutional and moral responsibility to strengthen national institutions by ensuring they receive adequate financial and policy support through the national budget process.
“The Executive prepares the national budget and submits it to the Legislature. The Legislature reviews it and returns it to the President for approval,” he said.
“Throughout this process, it is our responsibility to consider the needs and challenges of all public institutions. That is the work we are elected and appointed to do.”
According to the minister, government officials are also entrusted with overseeing public institutions to ensure they operate efficiently and deliver quality services to Liberians. However, he argued that publicly branding the country’s national referral hospital with an offensive nickname goes beyond legitimate criticism.
Piah noted that thousands of Liberians receive treatment at JFK every year and recover, even though, like hospitals everywhere in the world, some patients unfortunately lose their lives.
“Thousands of people seek treatment at JFK every year. They receive care, recover, and return to their families. While it is true that some patients unfortunately lose their lives, that is the reality of hospitals everywhere in the world,” he said.
“Hospitals in the United States, Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world also experience patient deaths. That does not justify labeling them as places meant only for death.”
He stressed that isolated patient deaths should never be used to define an entire healthcare institution or diminish the dedication of the professionals working there.
“Such statements disrespect not only the hospital itself but also the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work tirelessly, often under difficult circumstances, to save lives,” Piah said.
Describing JFK as Liberia’s foremost referral hospital, the minister questioned the broader implications of dismissing the institution as incapable of providing care.
“JFK is Liberia’s premier referral hospital. If we claim that it exists only to kill people, then what does that imply about every other hospital in the country? Where, then, are Liberians supposed to seek medical care?” he asked.
Piah said that if public officials and citizens cannot recognize the sacrifices made daily by healthcare workers, they should at least refrain from disparaging the institutions they serve.
“It is totally unacceptable. I do not know what our country is turning into. People’s behavior is becoming increasingly disturbing. Day after day, we are witnessing conduct that appears malicious, reckless, and, at times, devoid of basic human decency,” he stated.
Reaffirming the government’s support for JFK Medical Center, Piah said the administration would continue to defend the institution against what it considers unfair and misleading attacks.
“Many of us know that this characterization of JFK is simply untrue. Therefore, the Government of Liberia rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any attempt to label our national referral hospital in such a manner,” he said.
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