The groundbreaking ceremony, held Thursday in Fendell, outside Monrovia,  brought together government officials, faculty members, development partners  and students, marking a step toward strengthening the country’s medical education infrastructure.

The US$1.6 million project seeks to address longstanding space constraints at the A.M. Dogliotti School of Medicine, where limited classrooms, laboratories and clinical training facilities have hindered the institution’s ability to admit and train more students.

Once completed, the state-of-the-art annex will expand the University’s capacity to train doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and other allied health professionals.

It will also serve as a dedicated learning and training hub for both pre-service and in-service health workers.

CRS Country Representative, Glynnis Cummings-John, described the project as a strategic investment in Liberia’s future health workforce.

“This facility represents a critical step forward in addressing infrastructure challenges at the College of Health Sciences and expanding opportunities for medical education in Liberia,” she said.

“It will significantly enhance the University’s ability to accommodate more students while improving the quality of academic instruction and clinical training.”

Speaking on behalf of the University’s leadership, Dr. Agnes Taylor,  termed the project a “momentous occasion,” emphasizing that quality healthcare depends on sustained investment in education and training.

“This building will be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for producing more trained doctors and healthcare professionals for Liberia,” she noted, as she officially turned over the project site for construction.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Martha Morris, said the project signals the beginning of a new era in health workforce development.

“This is more than construction it is the foundation for a stronger, healthier Liberia,” she said. “The facility will serve as a hub for medical research, training and innovation.”

Providing background on the project, CRS Chief of Party Kerri Agee explained that the initiative originated over five years ago under a USAID-supported program led by Yale University known as BridgeU, aimed at strengthening Liberia’s health workforce.

The project experienced delays in 2025 when capital investments were temporarily halted.

However, renewed advocacy by the Government of Liberia(GoL), the University of Liberia and partners led to its reinstatement.

The Dean of the A.M. Dogliotti School of Medicine, Dr. Lawrence M. Sherman, highlighted that equipment, furnishings, and trained personnel are already in place to ensure the facility becomes fully operational upon completion.

The Chair of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism, Dr. Cecelia Nuta, underscored the importance of the project in strengthening national health systems and aligning with global efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Meanwhile, the President of the Liberia Medical Students Association, Stanley M. Johnson, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a “historic milestone” for medical students.

He also called for basic healthcare support for workers during the construction phase.

CRS has supported development and humanitarian efforts in Liberia since 1957, with a permanent presence established in 1990.

The organization continues to implement programs across sectors including health, education, agriculture and peacebuilding.

The new Health Education Center is expected to improve the quality of medical training, support national health workforce development and provide a platform for research, innovation and community engagement.

Construction is expected to be completed within the coming months, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the facility will play a transformative role in advancing healthcare delivery in Liberia.