The Administrator of Ganta United Methodist Hospital (GUMH) has assured the public that the hospital continues to operate effectively despite the ongoing ownership dispute involving Methodist church properties in Ganta, Nimba County.
Speaking to reporters, hospital administrator Allen Zomoway said the medical facility remains active and fully functional, emphasizing that the conflict between the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the breakaway Global Methodist Church (GMC) has not disrupted healthcare delivery at the institution.
“The hospital is very active and running effectively,” Zomoway stated. “This situation does not in any way undermine our operations because the hospital is a neutral body with the sole responsibility to serve everyone regardless of color, religion, creed, or tribe.”
The reassurance comes amid a protracted tussle between the UMC and GMC over ownership of the historic Ganta Methodist Mission Station, a sprawling mission complex that traditionally managed several properties in the Gompa District of the United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference.
The dispute emerged after divisions within the global Methodist movement over theological and governance issues, including debates surrounding LGBTQ-related policies within the UMC. The disagreement prompted some church leaders and members in the Gompa District to break away and align with the GMC.
As a result, the Mission Station has effectively been split. Facilities such as the church building, schools, and administrative offices are currently under the control of the GMC faction, while the hospital and the United Methodist University School of Nursing remain under the leadership of the UMC.
The ownership dispute over the broader Mission Station properties has been brought before the Supreme Court of Liberia, where the matter has remained unresolved since last year. Earlier this year, the court briefly halted the GMC from holding its annual conference but lifted the restriction within 24 hours, further fueling uncertainty among residents about the final legal ownership of the properties.
Amid the tensions, Zomoway stressed that the hospital’s operations are insulated from the religious dispute. He noted that the facility serves patients from across Liberia and neighboring regions, maintaining its long-standing mission of providing quality healthcare.
“We have six medical doctors working with the hospital,” he explained. “Some are paid by the government, while others are supported by the United Methodist Global Ministries in the United States.”
The hospital staff, he added, represent a mix of religious affiliations, including members from both Methodist factions. Despite concerns from the public that the church split could affect service delivery, the administration insists the institution remains committed to impartial healthcare.
“We are here to serve everybody—whether they are UMC or GMC,” Zomoway said.
Beyond maintaining operations, the hospital administration says it is also undertaking improvements aimed at strengthening patient care and modernizing facilities.
According to Zomoway, recent upgrades include developments in the hospital’s eye clinic, improvements to the dental department, and modernization of private wards. The administration has also been working to enhance overall infrastructure to improve patient comfort and treatment outcomes.
“We are making sure that our hospital provides the best services to our people,” he said. “We have been working hard to give the hospital a facelift, improving every corner of the facility for the betterment of patients.”
One notable initiative is the hospital’s diabetes program, which currently provides free diabetes medication to patients. Zomoway revealed that the hospital recently received a large consignment of diabetes drugs from partners and has begun distributing some of the supplies to other medical facilities across Liberia at no cost.
“Our diabetes program is going on well,” he explained. “We are providing free drugs to patients, and with the support we have received, we are also supplying other hospitals around the country.”
For many residents of Ganta and surrounding communities, the hospital remains a critical healthcare hub. Founded as part of the Methodist mission network, the facility has historically served as one of the most important referral hospitals in northern Liberia.
Zomoway concluded by reassuring the public that the hospital remains stable and fully operational despite the ongoing legal and religious tensions surrounding the Mission Station.
“The Ganta United Methodist Hospital is still active and providing all health services as usual,” he said. “Our priority is the health and well-being of the people.”
