Government Secures 50 Acres for C.B. Dunbar Hospital Expansion

By Edwin N. Khakie

GBARNGA, Bong County, Aug. 3, 2026 – The Government of Liberia has secured 50 acres of land for the expansion of C.B. Dunbar Comprehensive Hospital, a move aimed at improving healthcare delivery and increasing access to specialized medical services in central Liberia.

Deputy Health Minister for Administration Martha C. T. Morris announced the development on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a more than US$700,000 Bong County Health Team Office Complex in Melekie.

She said the expansion project is expected to begin later this year as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

According to Morris, the expansion was prompted by the growing number of patients seeking treatment at C.B. Dunbar Hospital, which has struggled with overcrowding for several years.

“C.B. Dunbar Hospital that all of us know is overcrowded every day. There is no space,” she said. “We have purchased 50 acres of land for the expansion, and our expansion project is starting this year.”

Morris said the additional land will accommodate the construction of modern medical facilities capable of providing specialized diagnostic and treatment services that are currently unavailable in Bong County.

She noted that the project is expected to improve healthcare access not only for residents of Bong County but also for patients from neighboring counties who rely on the hospital for referral services.

According to the Deputy Minister, expanding the hospital’s capacity will reduce the number of patients who travel to Monrovia or seek treatment abroad, including in Ghana and India, for specialized medical examinations and procedures.

The announcement has been welcomed as a significant step toward decentralizing healthcare services and strengthening referral hospitals outside the capital.

Health experts have long advocated increased investment in county health facilities to reduce referrals to Monrovia and improve access to quality healthcare for rural communities.

C.B. Dunbar Comprehensive Hospital is one of Liberia’s principal referral hospitals, serving thousands of patients from Bong County and other parts of central Liberia. However, increasing demand for healthcare services has placed considerable pressure on its infrastructure and available medical resources.

The planned expansion is expected to increase patient capacity, improve service delivery, and bring specialized healthcare services closer to residents of Bong County and surrounding areas.