SUAKOKO, Bong – Phebe Hospital has retired 27 workers who served the institution in a variety of roles.

The retirement ceremony, which took place on Friday, Jan. 20, was originally scheduled for June 2016, when the workers officially retired, but it was delayed due to financial issues that had to be settled for the retirees, said Kerson K. Saykor, the Phebe Hospital administrator.

Per the government’s rules on retirement, all 27 employees had worked at the institution for more than 25 years and were at least 60 years of age.

Dr. Jefferson Sibley, the medical director of the hospital, said it was a joyful moment for him to watch his colleagues take a break from their long service with the institution, even though a few employees had questioned his motives concerning the retirement announcements.

According to Sibley, some retirees accused him and the hospital administration of masterminding their departure. Sibley told them that such speculation “is not true,” but he was very happy to see smiles on the faces of the former employees as they received their honors.

However, he called attention to what he said was the insufficient benefits paid to retirees. “You cannot do anything with the little benefits you get,” he said.

Author G. Yard, one of the retirees expressed his delight about reaching retirement. “I started working for Phebe in October 1978,” he said. “And now my age cannot permit me.” Yard expressed his commitment to serving the hospital in the future if ever needed.

“I feel very happy today for my retirement, because I worked from the depth of my heart,” said Roseline McClain, another longtime Phebe employee. “I am a midwife, and working in Phebe Hospital, I know the work that I did.”

Respected by her workmates for the professional attitude she brought to the workplace, McClain said she is grateful to the government of Liberia for the opportunity she has had to serve her people. While she said she will not be able to render future services to the hospital, she is already helping to educate future practitioners through the Phebe School of Nursing.

“When you work, you have to leave space to rest, so I’m resting,” McClain added.

Featured photo courtesy of Phebe Hospital