Investigation: A country of quacks? ‘Fake’ doctor who practiced for Years Deregistered
Key Fact:
Matthew George (also referred to as Peter George in parts of the article) has had his medical license revoked
He was the outgoing Gbarpolu County Health Officer until April 2025
George was also serving as president of the Liberia Medical and Dental Association (LMDA), the very council that found him to be practicing with fraudulent credentials.
The Investigation:
For years, Matthew George, the outgoing Gbarpolu County Health Officer, posed as a medical practitioner with an ornate online presence showing the prestigious schools he attended and the work he did as a doctor.
- County Health Officer for Gbarpolu county
- Consultant Rural Surgeon
- Board Certified Surgeon
- Former Committee Chair for Outreach and Research at LMDA
- Elected Vice President of LMDA on December 16, 2023, before becoming President
But on April 21, the Liberia Medical Doctor Council (LMDC) investigated and found him to be a fake doctor who had been impersonating for decades.
The council is an independent agency in Liberia responsible for overseeing medicine, dentistry, and alternative medicine, aiming to provide high-quality healthcare through the implementation of regulations and guidelines.
The LMDC investigation revealed several critical issues:
- George was invited to provide proof of his credentials but failed to appear
- He submitted an award verification letter claiming a medical degree from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK
- Investigation showed the University of Hertfordshire does not currently offer medical degrees
- George claimed to have obtained both an MD and postgraduate medical degree in just four years, which the LMDC states is impossible
- He also failed to provide the required undergraduate medical certificate and internship certificate
Due to his inability to prove his doctor credentials, therefore, the credential committee, Friday, April 18, 2025, came up with its investigative findings, proposing several recommendations. The committee, among others, recommended the revocation of George's license number 654, effective immediately and he has also been removed from the LMDC roster as of the time of the investigative findings.
The LMDC mandated that George refrain from practicing medicine within Liberia or risk prosecution and any facilities allowing him to practice could face fines, closure, and legal proceedings.
As part of immediate actions taken on the committee's recommendations, the LMDA on May 7, 2025, announced that George has ceased to be a member and his role as president has been nullified, a vacancy that will be filled by Dr. Deddeh E.P. Supuwood until a fresh election is held.
Officials Notified
The LMDC's communication was copied to
- Louis Kpoto, Minister of Health
- Sylvester Grisby, Minister of State
- Botoe Kanneh, Gbarpolu Senator
This is a developing story.
