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Dr. Coleman Refutes Fake Medical
The Analyst (Monrovia)
March 21, 2005
Posted to the web March 21, 2005
Health Minister Peter S. Coleman has refuted claims by the Dean of the
A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine of the University of Liberia, Dr.
Robert Kpoto, that a fake medical school has been discovered and
issuing diploma and/or degree in the country, describing such claims
as "highly political."
Dr. Kpoto said at a news conference last week in Monrovia that a
research conducted has revealed that a non-existing medical school
identified as the St. Luke School of Medicine, was issuing medical
degrees to Liberians and other foreign nationals in a bid to allow
them form a part of the medical labor force.
Dr. Kpoto, proprietor of the Med-Link Clinic, who did not say how the
discovery of the school's non- existence was made, but noted that
despite the fact that the school was not accredited in Liberia, it was
clandestinely issuing degrees even before it sought the planned
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Liberia.
But Dr. Coleman, in his reaction over the weekend, said such claims
"lack vital points". He reiterated that the St. Luke School of
Medicine does exist. But there has been no independent verification of
the facts.
He told reporters at the Health Ministry that such an issue was not
the discussion of a presidential aspirant. Coleman called on Kpoto to
rather be concerned about improving the country's deteriorated health
delivery system.
According to him, the St. Luke School of Medicine based in California,
USA, in 2000 requested the Taylor- led government through the Ministry
of Health, to allow it establish a medical college in Liberia.
He said based on such a request, the school's authorities were asked
to meet up with three basic requirements before being allowed to carry
out its plan.
He said two of the three requirements had been met by the school,
including the passage of legislation in the Taylor government
legalizing the existence of the school and guidelines set by the
Bureau for Higher Education.
Dr. Coleman said the school was now in its final phase of the
accreditation process by the board of medical practitioners and the
school is presently holding discussions with officials
He further said the school was located in Sinkor, and its facilities
were being inspected by the board as part of the accreditation
process. The school has not begun operation in Liberia.
Coleman also clarified that the diplomas referred to by Dr. Kpoto,
were being issued through the school's on-line program.
Dr. Coleman denied knowledge of a purported letter under his
signature, being addressed to the World Health Organization (WHO),
certifying that the government of Liberia had accredited the St. Luke
School of Medicine to operate in the Republic of Liberia and that WHO
should therefore accord the institute all courtesies.
"I have seen that letter too and the signature is a bit different. We
are trying to trace the source of that letter," he said.
The Analyst (Monrovia)
March 21, 2005
Posted to the web March 21, 2005
Health Minister Peter S. Coleman has refuted claims by the Dean of the
A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine of the University of Liberia, Dr.
Robert Kpoto, that a fake medical school has been discovered and
issuing diploma and/or degree in the country, describing such claims
as "highly political."
Dr. Kpoto said at a news conference last week in Monrovia that a
research conducted has revealed that a non-existing medical school
identified as the St. Luke School of Medicine, was issuing medical
degrees to Liberians and other foreign nationals in a bid to allow
them form a part of the medical labor force.
Dr. Kpoto, proprietor of the Med-Link Clinic, who did not say how the
discovery of the school's non- existence was made, but noted that
despite the fact that the school was not accredited in Liberia, it was
clandestinely issuing degrees even before it sought the planned
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Liberia.
But Dr. Coleman, in his reaction over the weekend, said such claims
"lack vital points". He reiterated that the St. Luke School of
Medicine does exist. But there has been no independent verification of
the facts.
He told reporters at the Health Ministry that such an issue was not
the discussion of a presidential aspirant. Coleman called on Kpoto to
rather be concerned about improving the country's deteriorated health
delivery system.
According to him, the St. Luke School of Medicine based in California,
USA, in 2000 requested the Taylor- led government through the Ministry
of Health, to allow it establish a medical college in Liberia.
He said based on such a request, the school's authorities were asked
to meet up with three basic requirements before being allowed to carry
out its plan.
He said two of the three requirements had been met by the school,
including the passage of legislation in the Taylor government
legalizing the existence of the school and guidelines set by the
Bureau for Higher Education.
Dr. Coleman said the school was now in its final phase of the
accreditation process by the board of medical practitioners and the
school is presently holding discussions with officials
He further said the school was located in Sinkor, and its facilities
were being inspected by the board as part of the accreditation
process. The school has not begun operation in Liberia.
Coleman also clarified that the diplomas referred to by Dr. Kpoto,
were being issued through the school's on-line program.
Dr. Coleman denied knowledge of a purported letter under his
signature, being addressed to the World Health Organization (WHO),
certifying that the government of Liberia had accredited the St. Luke
School of Medicine to operate in the Republic of Liberia and that WHO
should therefore accord the institute all courtesies.
"I have seen that letter too and the signature is a bit different. We
are trying to trace the source of that letter," he said.
