Sam Wolobah, an Operating Room (OR) Technician with no medical degree, has been arrested after performing a surgery that led to the death of 30-year-old Samuel P. Kollie.
The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) shut down the Lofa Medic Services Clinic in Neezoe, Jacob Town, following an investigation that exposed Wolobah’s deception. Preliminary findings revealed that Wolobah, who managed the clinic, falsely posed as a licensed physician, despite only having training as an OR technician. His unauthorized actions during surgery allegedly resulted in Kollie’s untimely death.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising urgent questions about oversight in Liberia’s healthcare system. How could an unqualified individual perform surgery unchecked? The LMDC, working with the Ministry of Justice, has since handed Wolobah over to the Liberia National Police (LNP) for criminal investigation.
James-Emmanuel D. Cole, Jr., a representative of the LMDC, emphasized the council’s commitment to rooting out unlicensed practitioners. “We are working tirelessly to ensure that only qualified professionals serve in Liberia’s healthcare sector,” Cole stated. “This tragic loss underscores the dangers of medical fraud, and we will not tolerate it.”
The LMDC’s swift action reflects a broader push to safeguard patients from fraudulent healthcare providers. The council has vowed to intensify inspections and collaborate with law enforcement to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, Kollie’s family is left grappling with an unbearable loss, one that might have been prevented with proper regulation. As investigations continue, many are calling for stricter enforcement to ensure no more lives are endangered by imposters in white coats.
For now, the clinic remains closed, and Wolobah faces the full weight of the law. But for Samuel P. Kollie’s loved ones, justice cannot undo the irreversible cost of a life cut short.
Source: FPA
