A homegrown medical facility emerges

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Health care challenges have long stood in the way of Liberia’s national development. With limited access to quality medical services, many Liberians have found themselves traveling abroad or relying on prayer and hope in the face of serious illness.

But a new chapter is unfolding, one driven by local leadership, global standards, and a bold commitment to change.

Enter the Wellness Partners Medical Center (WPMC), a state-of-the-art facility officially opened to the public in Monrovia on April 17, 2025. More than just a center, WPMC is a symbol of what’s possible when Liberians come together to tackle systemic issues with homegrown solutions.

Located along the Congo Town back road, WPMC delivers safe, customer-centered, world-class services, all provided by Liberian professionals. Its offerings range from advanced laboratory diagnostics to outpatient care and medical screenings for international visa applicants.

WPMC’s practices are in line with national and international standards and are supported by technologies sourced from the U.S., Europe, and Asia. From the outset, the center has been designed to restore trust in Liberia’s medical system.

The official launch ceremony brought together distinguished guests, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, health sector leaders, staff, and the general public. The event not only marked a major milestone in health care delivery but also celebrated the vision and leadership that made it possible.

At the heart of WPMC is Dr. Nicole Cooper, the facility’s Medical Director. A passionate health leader, who shared the journey that led to the creation of the center.

“I’ve seen too many people praying outside hospital rooms, hoping that everything aligns just to save a life,” she said. “Too many are forced to leave the country for basic health care because they don’t trust that it can be done here.”

That reality, Dr. Cooper explained, planted a seed back in 2009, the early inspiration behind what would eventually become Wellness Partners. In 2021, she returned to Liberia with the goal of building a system that met international standards but remained accessible and reliable for all Liberians.

She began with Wellness Partners Clinic, a small pilot that tested health care delivery models, affordability, and customer care strategies. From those humble beginnings, the initiative expanded into the full-fledged Wellness Partners Medical Center.

“We’re different,” she said. “We invest in our people, prioritize quality and safety, and put transparency at the center of what we do.”

“Our vision is bold yet simple: to become the safest, most reliable, and most convenient network of medical care in Africa,” she told attendees. “This is what’s possible when we believe in ourselves and build from the inside out.”

Representing the WPMC Board of Directors, Mrs. Monique Cooper Liverpool echoed that sentiment, calling the center “a homegrown solution led by Liberian talent with world-class expertise.”

Also speaking at the event was Mrs. Sophie Parwon, CEO of Benson Hospital, who highlighted the growing contribution of the private sector in Liberia’s health care ecosystem.

“While the government remains the main provider of health services, the private sector is increasingly stepping up, contributing to service delivery, financing, innovation, and capacity building,” she said.

Mrs. Parwon praised Dr. Cooper as a “public health icon” and called on government and development partners to strengthen support for private health initiatives that align with national priorities.

As WPMC opens its doors, it does more than offer medical services. It offers hope, hope for a health care system where Liberians no longer need to look abroad for basic care, where dignity and quality go hand in hand, and where innovation is driven from within.