“Three Payrolls At Phebe Hospital”

-Rep. Marvin Cole Indicts Phebe Hospital; Calls for Audit

By Esau J. Farr

Bong County electoral District number three Representative, Josiah Marvin Cole has released a sparkling revelation alleging that the Phebe Hospital in Suacoco, Bong County has three separate payrolls.

The Bong County lawmaker appearing on a local talk show (OK Morning Rush) in Monrovia on Monday, June 10, 2019 alleged salary discrepancies amongst health practitioners of similar educational qualification and experience at the hospital.

“Can you imagine that someone with BSc Degree is being paid US$175.00 while another with the same degree and experience is paid about US$700!” he told OK FM.

Rep. Cole challenged the administrators of the Phebe Hospital to prove him wrong that the hospital has three separate payrolls promising to resign as a legislator of Bong if he can’t produce copies of the alleged three separate payrolls at Phebe.

“I have documents in my possession to show that Phebe Hospital has three different payrolls and the administrators can’t deny that. If anyone can prove me wrong, I stand ready to resign as a lawmaker if I cannot produce copies of the three separate payrolls,” the Bong County lawmaker challenged authorities of Phebe Hospital.

He furthered that Phebe Hospital is the only entity that is subsidized by government, but it is not answerable to the Government of Liberia rather, it reports to its Board of Directors.

“Phebe is the only entity that government sponsors, but does not report to government, because it is only answerable to its board,” the Bong County lawmaker disclosed.

When contacted, the Administrator of the Phebe Hospital and Nursing School, Dr. Jefferson Sibley, told this paper in a telephone interview that he was not ready to speak on the matter because he was already on his way to the Capitol Building in Monrovia to answer to questions in relation to reported potential shutting down of the Phebe Hospital due to lack of essential drugs to cater for patients from the House’s Committee on Health and Social Welfare.

“You know, I don’t want to be all on the radio discussing this key health issue. I am on my way at the Capitol Building in Monrovia. When I leave from there, I will speak to you on the matter; but I have to meet members of the Health Committee before making any public statement or response,” Dr. Sibley told this paper late Tuesday (June 11, 2019) afternoon.

According to Rep. Cole, the current Fiscal Budget (FY-2018/2019) approved US$1.9million as its allotment to Phebe Hospital. TNR