(Monrovia, Liberia, August 12, 2025)— The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDI) Unit, in collaboration with national and international partners, convened a multi-sectoral engagement and advocacy meeting on Friday to address the growing threat of diabetes and hypertension in Liberia.
The gathering sought to foster stronger inter-sectoral collaboration, share evidence-based insights, and co-develop sustainable strategies to improve service delivery for the prevention and management of these chronic conditions.
The meeting drew the attention of prominent dignitaries, including the First Lady of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Katumu Y. Boakai; the Second Lady, Madam Synleseh Stephanie Dahn Koung; the Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto; the Assistant Director for Policy and Planning, Hon. George Jacobs; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Catherine T. Cooper; chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Health; international partners such as the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO); civil society representatives; and members of the Diabetes Association of Liberia.
Welcoming participants on behalf of the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer, Hon. George Jacobs, underscored the urgency of confronting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Liberia. “NCDs have become a major public health issue in our country,” Jacobs said. “As specialists and stakeholders, we must do all we can to control these conditions. It is a call to action for every Liberian to modify our daily habits so we remain healthy and able to contribute to national development.”
Senator Dablah Varplah of Grand Cape Mount County, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, praised the Ministry for prioritizing the fight against NCDs. “Diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases are gradually taking over our country,” she said. “Gatherings like this help create awareness on how to reduce or prevent these conditions.”
Represented by Mr. Varfee Holmes, Senior Media and Communications Consultant in her office, the First Lady reaffirmed her dedication to the cause. “When health fails, every other dream is put on hold,” Madam Boakai said in a statement. “For too long, diabetes and hypertension have been seen as individual problems, but the truth is, they are national problems. Integrating their care into our health system requires government, private sector, civil society, and partners working together.”
She urged stakeholders to move from “talk to tangible actions” and ensure that health services—such as blood pressure checks—are accessible even in remote areas like River Cess.
NCDI Director Mrs. Jamesetta G. Smith detailed the unit’s work since its establishment in 2017, highlighting capacity-building efforts, integration of NCD care into the health system, and national outreach programs.
She noted that with support from WDF and WHO, the unit operates through 62 health facilities in 14 counties. During this year’s World Hypertension Day, over 2,000 people were screened in Montserrado, Maryland, and Margibi, revealing that 22.9% had hypertension.
“These numbers are alarming,” Smith said. “We must prioritize NCDI if we are to make significant progress in reducing these diseases.”
In remarks delivered by Mr. Raymond Zarbay, the Second Lady called for a united approach.
“These conditions are not merely medical issues but complex social challenges requiring our collective action,” she said. “We must collaborate, share best practices, and ensure prevention, education, and treatment are accessible to all Liberians.”
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from all sectors to integrate diabetes and hypertension care into Liberia’s health services, with an emphasis on prevention, accessibility, and sustainability.