Liberia to Implement Salary Increases for Health Workers Starting January 2025

Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan, has announced that salary increases for health workers would come into effect in January 2025. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare sector, which also includes reforms to regularize the status of volunteer staff.

Ngafuan, speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring timely salary payments. "This month, we have introduced a revamped payment system. The salary disbursement for November 2024 began on November 15, with accounts for more than 40 government entities already credited," he stated.

The Finance Minister further revealed that the government has allocated funds in the proposed 2025 fiscal year budget to address pay disparities within the health sector. "In the coming year, specialist doctors will receive a salary increase of at least US$225, starting in January 2025. This marks the first step towards regularizing pay for those currently earning below their designated pay grades," Ngafuan explained.

As part of a comprehensive action plan, salary adjustments for additional health workers will also be implemented, with monthly increases ranging from US$25 to US$50. Nurses, midwives, and physician assistants will receive an additional US$50 per month, while other health workers in administrative roles will see increases of between US$25 and US$40, depending on their specific positions. Overall, approximately 28,200 government employees, or 45% of the public sector workforce, will benefit from these salary enhancements in the 2025 fiscal year.

Additionally, the government has allocated US$2.6 million in the 2025 budget to begin integrating volunteer workers from the Ministries of Health and Education into the formal payroll. "This funding will kick-start a multi-year process to regularize volunteer workers, following a comprehensive vetting process," Ngafuan noted.

These measures are in line with the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers, a key promise of President Joseph N. Boakai’s government. Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, a strong advocate for reform, praised the focus on health sector improvements, saying,

"During my recent county tour, I met with community leaders and health workers to discuss the challenges we inherited and identify areas where reforms are needed."

Dr. Kpoto has worked closely with the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance to address these challenges, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the welfare of health workers. "In the next budget cycle, increasing salaries and supporting volunteer health workers will remain a priority," she said.

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery and worker welfare, with Dr. Kpoto calling this a "great moment for our country’s health sector." She urged health workers and partners to remain dedicated and cooperative as these reforms take shape, reinforcing the administration's focus on building an equitable and effective healthcare system for all Liberians.