MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health under the leadership of Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto, has officially released a comprehensive list of new service fees to be implemented across all public hospitals nationwide. The updated pricing, made public on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, marks a significant policy shift as several medical services previously provided free of charge will now come with associated costs.
The new fee structure includes charges for registration, accommodation, patient feeding, hospitalization, and a wide range of surgical and diagnostic procedures. For example, adult and pregnant women registration now costs 200 Liberian Dollars (LRD), while children’s registration is set at 100 LRD. Ambulance services are priced at 2,000 LRD, and medical reports and patient feeding are both set at 500 LRD per day. Admission to the general ward costs 1,000 LRD, while private and semi-private wards are priced at 5,000 and 2,500 LRD respectively, per day.
Under the new framework, routine programs such as immunization, antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and family planning remain free of charge. However, surgical procedures now carry significant fees. A cesarean section will cost the equivalent of 50 USD, while more complex procedures such as mastectomy, hysterectomy, and nephrectomy are priced between 75 to 200 USD or the Liberian Dollar equivalent.
Other notable charges include 100 USD for hydrocephalus treatment (VP shunt), 175 USD for gallbladder surgery, 150 USD for kidney stone removal, and 200 USD for a prostatectomy. Even minor procedures like circumcision and wound debridement now carry fees ranging from 25 to 30 USD.
Despite the sweeping changes, the Ministry of Health did not release an official press statement to inform the general public about the decision or provide justification for the cost adjustments. The lack of communication has raised concerns among citizens, many of whom rely on government health facilities for affordable care.
Critics argue that the new charges could create additional barriers for low-income Liberians seeking essential medical services, while others say the absence of public sensitization undermines transparency and accountability in the health sector.
Meanwhile, as the new fee structure takes effect, health advocates are calling for the Ministry to engage the public more openly, clarify the rationale behind the decision, and ensure that measures are in place to protect the most vulnerable from being priced out of access to care.
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