MOH Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Phase Two

(June 2, 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)—The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with partners on June 1, 2021 officially launched phase two of the COVAX Vaccines immunization at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.

Phase two of the vaccination is aimed at targeting previously vaccinated persons for the completion of their respective dozes.

“The importance attached to this second doze is that it will give the 100% protection against the virus. We need to vaccinate approximately two million people”, Dr Wilhelmina Jallah said at the launch.

The first phase of the COVAX Vaccination exercise, which is still on going at various designated health facilities in the Country, has met its goal as over 56,000 persons have been vaccinated against the virus since the official launch of the nationwide vaccination exercise in April of this year.

“We are very much excited with the first phase of the vaccination, because had lots of individuals and institutions pulling for the vaccines, including churches, Mosques, schools, organizations, etc.” Dr. said. “We appreciate everyone who have participated in the process, including those who are yet to be vaccinated”.

As a way of ensuring that the Ministry meets its targets, Dr. Jallah said her team deployed a strategy by engaging stakeholders at all levels of the Liberians society for the common good of minimizing the spread of virus, and at ensuring that citizens take advantage of the vaccination process.

 “Well, as we speak, we have recording over hundred plus persons for this second phase,” the Liberian Health Minister disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Health Minister named John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Redemption, J.D.J., and 14 Military hospitals as public health facilities where the immunization will be administered; while SOS, Catholic and ELWA Hospitals, as well as the UN Clinic were among few private health facilities labeled for the vaccination.

“All of those places we started the vaccination are maintained…Please good back to where you took the first doze to get your second doze. We don’t you to go the places we’re giving the second doze, so if you didn’t take the first, we want to subject that you go to the Ministry of Health or EOC at the old maternity Center on Capitol Bypass where we will be giving the first doze. But the previous that we announced will now be administering the second doze. Do not forget your vaccination card,” she informed.

Also, Dr. Jallah admonished Liberians from all walks of life to join the immunization campaign so as to keep safe from contracting the virus.

  “We are calling on all Liberians and foreign residents alike to join us in this campaign in order to end this global pandemic. They are saying ‘pandemic’ because this virus is all over the world, which Liberia is of no exception”, she averred. 

As a way of exemplifying altruistic leadership and demonstrating how safe the vaccines are, Liberian Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah was also first to be immunized on camera, including Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Country Representative to Liberia and other high profiled government officials as well as other participants who graced the occasion.

Signed: ________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications

            Ministry of Health, R.L

Dr. Jallah Lavishes Praises On PMC For Costly Medical Supplies

(Monrovia, Liberia, May 24, 2021)—Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, has lavished praises on a US-based Organization, Parks Medical Corporation (PMC), for its overwhelming support and contribution towards the Country’s Health Sector.

“On behalf of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah and the people of Liberia, first of all; we want to say thanks to Mr. Parks and his foundation for working along with you [Mr. Nmah] to think about Liberia

“However, the cost of these equipment are an underestimation because they are very expensive and important. Thanks to the Liberian Community in Washington for their involvement in getting these supplies to the country,” she praised.

Explaining further on the importance of the donation, Dr. Jallah deliberated: “To let Liberians know what Mr Parks and his Foundation have donated to Liberia, they donated Endoscopic video system—which is one of the new technology systems; it is a video system that when you are doing the work, the doctor and his/her medical technicians will be able to see what’s going on in the person’s body.”

The Minister, however, emphasized that the donation will be turned over to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, which is one of the Country’s highest healthcare providers, for an immediate setup.

Dr. Jallah used the occasion to extoll Mr. Gabriel Nmah for using his connection to contribute to the country’s health sector and asked well-meaning Liberians to follow suit.

The donation which worth over eighty thousand United States dollars (US$8,000.00) was attracted through the efforts of Hon. Gabriel Nmah, Deputy Director for Administration of the Liberian National Fire Service (LNFS).

Speaking over the Weekend, while presenting the assorted medical supplies to the Ministry, Hon. Gabriel Nmah, Sr., narrated that the donation followed as a result of his visit to the United States of America in June last year, when he accompanied Sen. Phil D. Fortunato on his gubernatorial Campaign. During the visit, according to him, he met with a philanthropist and businessman, David B. Parks. During the interaction, Mr. Parks promised to help contribute to the country’s health system through his foundation—the PMC.

“When he asked [me] where he could contribute, I named the health sector. But, since I am not a medical practitioner, I immediately contacted Minister Jallah; and they began the conversation”, Mr. Nmah explained. “PMC has actually been donating medical supplies to Senegal, Mexico, India, etc.”

Meanwhile, the LNFS’ Deputy Director beseeched the Ministry to list some medical equipment that public hospitals and clinics lack so PMC can make interventions.

The Parks Medical Corporation (PMC) is an institution which was established in 2001 and have been providing or supplying quality healthcare equipment over twenty years. Mr. David Parks is the president and owner of the Parks Medical Corporation based in Spokane, Washington State, USA. President Parks is a renowned philanthropist and businessman who has also made similar donations to other countries around the world, including but not limited to, Senegal, Mexico, Mali, and the Philippines.

The items received include: Fujifilm 4400HD Endoscopic Video System, ERBE ICC 200 Electrosurgical Unit, Endoscopic Lavage Flush Pump with Water Bottles & Tubing, Savory Esophageal Dilator, EC530LSZ HD Pediatric Colonoscope, EC530HC HD Adult Colonoscope, EG530WR HD Gastroscope and 19” HD NDS Medical Monitor with Cabling and Keyboard.

Among other items donated also are:  Cygnus Enzymatic Sponges (Bag), Disposable EndoGator Tubing Sets, Dragontail Microfiber Channel Brushes, Single-Use Colon Biopsy Forceps, FB24E-1 Endoscopy Biopsy Forceps, Reusable Endoscopy Water Bottles, Endoscopy Bite Blocks, PMC Hand Held Leak Tester, Polyp Traps, etc.

Signed: _____________________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication

           Ministry of Health, R.L

MOH, Partners Conclude Free Surgical Outreach In Bong

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the New Sight Eye Center   has recently concluded another phase of free surgical and medical outreach in Bong county, the central region of Liberia. The free surgical outreach was sponsored by the Samaritan’s Purse International while the New Sight Eye Center served as its implementing partner. The free eye surgery outreach conducted in the county is among few eye programs piloted by Samaritan’s Purse, which is aimed at improving the quality of lives of people living with blindness across the nation.

During the week-long exercise, over 350 visually impede people successfully underwent free surgery, with many of them sharing testimonies of their undesirable turn of lives.

Martha Lincoln, a candidate who underwent a successful operation, expressed joy for gaining her sight again as she leaves from darkness to light.  ‘’I was in total darkness but now I can see. I want to say thank you to all the people who have come here to help us to see.’’ She noted with joy.

‘’Firstly, I tell the mighty God to thank you, I want say thanks to the government thanks; and I also want to tell the people who’ve come to work on our eyeball plenty thanks. We don’t get pay for them; only God will pay them,’’ Madam Lincoln concluded.

Testifying after the successful operation, Mr. Edward Zolowo noted that people most often abandon them much time due to their condition but now he is grateful for the freedom restored onto him by regaining his sight.

‘’Now I can see again, I was in darkness but thought this would not work again. Blindness my son is really bad it makes you look like a small child and ask people help in everything but today I am a happy man because I can see.’’ Edward Zolowo said.

The entire Cataract surgical operation continued simultaneously with both male, female including children most especially those with Cataract problems across Bong County.

The Cataract patients mostly adults came from across Bong County to be treated in Salala with lodging, food, and transportation all made availed by the Samaritan’s Purse.

However, declaring the outreach open was Dr. Joseph L. Kerkulah, National Eye Health Program Manager of the Ministry of Health. He used the occasion to express the Ministry and the Liberian government’s gratitude to Samaritan’s Purse and the New Sight Eye Center for always partnering with the Ministry in providing sight to Liberians from all walks of lives.

The National Eye Health Program Manager promised to continue with such gesture in the county following a huge turnout of patients for the surgical operation.

Dr. Kerkulah, meanwhile, called on health practitioners throughout the country to get involve or specialized in the area of eye health care; something he believes would be a gap in the future if not address.

‘’We want to again thank our partners—the Samaritan’s Purse and the New Sight Eye Center—for such an initiative in the Country; hence, we are grateful to all of them for providing sight to our people while we at the Ministry monitor and supervise the process,’’ he said.

Also, Speaking was Dr. Galakpai Kolubah, Assistant Health Sector Manager Dr. Galakpai Kolubah of Samaritan’s Purse. Dr. Kolubah said Samaritan’s Purse is on a mission in the country’s health sector to help the government and other partners improve the sector.

‘’On behalf of the Samaritan’s Purse, our Country Director, and Sector Manager, we say thank you so much for the support and effort. We want to make sure that those who have been operated on be able to go back home without someone helping them, do things by themselves, go on the farm by themselves and eat their food without assistance’’. He explained

Still at the official launch in Salala was Dr Robert Dolo, Founder and Executive Director of Cataract Surgeon at the New Sight Eye Center.

According to Dr. Dolo, the surgical outreach conducted in Bong County was a sight-restoring service to the people of Bong County, thus urging citizens to take advantage of the opportunity.

‘’ We are here purposely to remove cataracts and to restore sight. It is a sight-restoring service to the people of Boing County like we have done in other counties. Now we want you to take this opportunity and make maximum use of the opportunity and support eye care health in this country to reduce blindness in Liberia’’ he said during the opening.

Signed: __________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communication

           Ministry of Health, RL

NCHP Completes Validation Meeting In Buchannan

As the trumpet for the provision of quality health service delivery continue to be sounded in the Liberian health sector, stakeholders in the later inclusive of local and international partners have concluded another validation meeting to ensuring that a national document is validated.

The three-day meeting placed emphasis on Report of the National Community Health Assistant Program Comprehensive Desk Review, Report of the Community Health Promoter Pilot and adaptation of the World Health Organization New Guidelines for Optimizing CHWs program.

The first stakeholders’ engagement meeting leading to the formulation of seven (7) thematic groupings was held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Careysburg, Lower Montserrado County.

Among other things, the review process is   aimed at strengthening the formulation and institutionalization of the Community Health Assistant program that will continue to provide basic quality primary healthcare services to nursing program and promote quality healthcare activities to people living within the reach of the nearest health facilities and urban communities across the country. 

The current CHA program policy and strategic plan, which is expected to expire in June 2021, will pave way for the on-going revision of the new curriculum.

Stakeholders in the health sector gathered from March 24 to 26, 2021 in Buchannan to review, deliberate and share their professional experiences on the program as it has been recommended by global health experts as the bedrock to achieving WHO objective of Universal Health Coverage for all.

Olasford Wiah, National Community Health Program Director at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said: “The past three days, we commenced reviewing these documents: Desk Review of the community health assistants program, the pilot reports of the community health promoter as well as to adopt officially as a Nation the WHO’s guideline on community health workers program

” So, over the last three days we have been deliberating among key stakeholders, and today we have finalized our work and it has been agreed by all of the stakeholders to use these tools as a referenced document into our policy review process that have begun.

“But, the more technical part will be starting in the coming weeks—this covers the entire community health service program.”

The WHO Guideline on health policy and system support to optimize community health workers program to assist national governments, and their partners, to improve the design, implementation, performance and evaluation of CHW programs, thereby contributing to the attainment of universal health coverage.

To meet this universal objective, community health workers are hired to serve as liaisons who will help mitigate health disparities, increase access to care, improve quality of care, and lower healthcare costs. They are nonclinical, nonmedical advisors and patient educators.

Referencing their impact on the sector over the past five years, Olasford Wiah said timely validation of the document is very important because the Ministry of Health is charged with the responsibility to provide quality healthcare to the population in Liberia; and as an extension and an integrated part   of the health system in the country, as such the validation and adoption of the program is key to universal health coverage.

In 2016, the Ministry of Health officially launched the National Community Health program immediately, following lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak that took thousands of lives in the Mano Region (Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia). To curve some of these emerging global health threats, various departments and agencies were setup.

Hence, the Community Health Program, according to Wiah, has yielded lots of tangibles results that have direct impact on the overall performance of the healthcare delivery system in Liberia. Reduction in malaria, pneumonia, maternal mortality rates, among few were references he made to the successful impacts of the program in the Country.

“And so, by reviewing what we have done over the last six years, lessons; what we have learned; what are the issues—challenges and what are the recommendations that we want to take forward in the next year to come is what important for the forward match of the design of the curriculum,” the NCHAP Director at the end of the meeting. “Our main objective of the program is to ensure that maternal death and mortality rates are reduced.

As per the report, numbers of active Community Health Assistants across the country is put at approximately 3,7800, while the number of Community Health Volunteers is little over 5000.

“Now, the community health Assistant are within community beyond 5killometer, meaning the most remote communities of our country. So they are positioned there to provide services to the community.

Assuring Partners In Health (PIH) commitment to buttressing government’s efforts in providing quality health service delivery and attaining WHO Universal Health Coverage guideline was Lassan Jabateh, PIH’s Director of Community Health.

“We are here as organization (PIH) to support the Ministry’s dream. We are excited today that the Ministry of Health having a plan and program across all the inhabitants in Liberia irrespective of tribal, age, religious, political affiliation or geographical location.

“Partners in Health has been working with the Ministry since the Ebola period during which the organization was involved to ensure that Ebola was eradicated from the country and onward; we have been supporting the Ministry to ensuring that we have a resilient healthcare system,” Jabateh disclosed.

Liberia has a community health program with focused mostly on people living outside 5 kilometers which arguably constitutes 29%of the population.

Whereas there has not been standardized community program within 5 kilometers—which constitutes 71% of the population.

The validation exercise when completed will placed Liberia on the mode of universal health coverage, making sure that everybody within the perimeter of Liberia has access to health care.

Joyce Kilikpo, Executive Director of Public Health Initiative Liberia, explaining importance of the document, she said: “These document as you may know Community Health is the bedrock of our healthcare system. If we are going to address leaving no one behind—ensuring equity in our health sector—it stands with how well planned and informed our community health program is.

“These documents are worked over time with clearly states what needs to be corrected, what are good we are doing to provide best practices.

“Community health program links community with the health sector—building trust and relationship and at the same time using people from within the community to build that link.”

Signed: ________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications, MOH, R.L.

MOH, Partners Launch Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Partners has officially launched the 2021 Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign in Liberia.

The Polio Vaccination Campaign is fully supported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which includes six members WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, CDC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Rotary.

During the launching ceremony which was held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship International in Sinkor Friday March 26, 2021 in Monrovia, Liberia’s Health Minister Hon. Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah disclosed that about one million children under 5 years old are expected to be vaccinated adding that the Polio Vaccination Campaign will also include the birth registrations of all the children during the exercise. ‘’We want to make sure that all of the one million children that we are going to be vaccinating have their birth registrations and their normal polio vaccines’’ Dr. Jallah told scores of partners and the media  who had gone to the launch the 2021Polio vaccines.

 The Liberian Health Minister used the occasion to inform the Liberian populace that the polio vaccine is free of charge and it will be administered by vaccinators with identification Cards only in the day time.

Dr. Jallah praised all partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Rotary, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for their enormous support to the Health sector of Liberia. 

Also speaking at the Launch, Mr. Adolphus T. Clarke Program Manager of the Ministry of Health Immunization Project disclosed that, 3,119 vaccination teams have been dispatched in the various communities to conduct a full-scale house-to-house polio nationwide campaign with an aim of vaccinating 972,870 children across Liberia.

Mr. Clarke stated that 2 rounds of the polio vaccines will be given  to each child aged less than 5 years, while COVID-19 protocols will be adhere to ensure vaccinators, health workers and communities take  precautions and are protected from COVID19. Clarke added that at least 95% children are expected to be vaccinated during the exercise.

For her part, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) country Representative Madam Laila Omar Gad said the polio vaccination’s campaign launch is in fulfilment of global efforts to eradicate the poliovirus.

Madam Gad at the same time reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for the continuation of existing support to the Liberian Health sector.

In February 2021, the Ministry of Health in Liberia declared the Poliovirus outbreak in the country as a public health emergency. Children in Liberia are at a risk of contracting this incurable disease if they are not vaccinated against polio.

The Polio Vaccination Campaign will run from March 26-29, 2021.

This endeavour is in line with the world’s effort to curb and eradicate the Poliovirus.

Therefore; the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Health encourages all Citizens and residents in the borders of Liberia to make available their children under the age of 5 to be vaccinated.

US Embassy Donates Medical Consignment To MOH

The Ministry of Health has received huge medical consignment from the government and people of the United States of America, through USAID Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance to boost Liberia’s COVID-19 testing at the Standard Testing Lab.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government of Liberia on Thursday, March 11, 2021, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said standing together side-by-side in time of pandemic is the best remedy in tackling any global pandemic.

“On behalf of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, our NPHIL boss Jane Macaulay and our entire Lab pillar, we want to say a big thank you; because maybe a lot of Liberians don’t know here in Liberia we have robots that can collect and analyze the simple before it goes into the testing machine,” Dr. Jallah disclosed.

In order to carryout rapid testing, according to her, the US government provided robots to the Liberian government, which is being used for testing in the country, saying “if you didn’t know that we have robots in Liberia, we have them here—so it is for the public knowledge.

These robots can do the work faster than human; hence, their testing is more accurate than human”.

Dr. Jallah, who expressed delight over the consignment, said the donation came at the time when the Ministry was running short of such materials; thereby, lauding the US Embassy for its timely intervention.

Earlier, while handing the consignment over to the Ministry, US
Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, said he was honored to represent the people of the United States of America who are willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Jallah, as she works so hard to provide service delivery in the health sector across the country.

“And as she struggles to battle this pandemic, we are very delighted and humble to be standing within her struggle, and we are delighted to step in with these testing equipment—and the beauty of these things is that it is more accurate.” Amb. McCarthy averred.

For her part, Ellen Munemo, USAID Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance Team Lead, said the consignment presented will be used in the laboratory for extracting out virus from affected persons.

“So what we just handed over is an automated extracted kids that can be used in the Lab of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) to extract the RNA material—a virus particle—which will then detect a fluid that a person is COVID-19 or not”, Munemo disclosed.

The monetary value of the consignment is put at one hundred-twenty thousand United States dollars (US$120,000.00).      

 Signed: _________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

          Director of Communication, MOH

GoL Unveils DNA Machine

The government of the republic Liberia on March 8, 2021 unveiled Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing Machine, which will bring relief to rape survivals and justice for sexual gender based violence victims. It is in fulfilment of promise made by the government through H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, to present a DNA testing machine to the people of Liberia to address issues of SGBV in the Country.

Unveiling the machine at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Liberia’s President, George Manneh Weah, said the measures to tackle rape or scourge was the acquisition of a ‘DNA testing machine which is now a reality today’.

“Today is a new beginning and it will begin our journey to revolutionize rape investigation in the Country”, said Liberia’s feminist in Chief, George Weah.

According to him the new technology will have a passionate impact on the way in which rape Cases are investigated in Liberia.

Speaking Monday at programs marking International Women’s Day, the Liberian leader used the occasion to urged health workers to handle the new equipment with care in order to provide the requisite health services to women and children of Liberia.

He said women are special, adorable, fantastic among others as such they deserve to be provided equal opportunity for self-empowerment and was also quick to encourage them to unite and be very strong for the common good of society.

President Weah addressing a cross session of women at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town promised the gathering as Liberia’s feminist in Chief that his government will exert every effort to directly address issues faced by women in the Country.

He said the provision of the DNA testing machine Monday came as a result of the 2020 conference on Sexual Gender Based Violence which also led to the establishment of the Anti SGBV task force.

The conference among other things highlighted the National Road Map on Rape and other forms of SGBV cases in Liberia.

Speaking on the National theme: Women in leadership breaking down barriers in the dispensation of the COVID-19 war, President George Weah said as a Country and people, he remains thankful to women for their resilience and commitment in their various tasks, duties as leaders to both public, private spaces and in their respective homes.

Dr. Weah acknowledged through his government that women continued to need more empowerment and it is his responsibility to institute, implement all measures and policies to promote such empowerment.

Meanwhile, the annual ceremony held globally on March 8, is among other necessities intended to celebrate women’s accomplishments as well as to be champions of change and inspiration for future generations.

Earlier, Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah lavished praises on President Weah for providing Women the space to serve in his government.

Dr. Jallah, who is consistently and cautiously fighting to contain the spread of this global pandemic, Coronavirus, through her altruistic leadership role since the outbreak of the virus, said she’s honored to have been selected amongst many across the country to serve as head of the Country’s health sector, mainly during these difficult times.

“It is an honored as a woman to be selected amongst many in our country to serve as the Minister of Minister. However, what we are now looking forward to seeing at the Ministry is to increase the number of women serving in key positions. Although we have few of them in some of these positions but an increase number at every level—including the counties’ levels—is our goal in seeking female compete with their male counterparts”, Dr. Jallah told the gathering when she took the podium to address issues on women’s empowerment and their challenges. The Minister then used the occasion to call on all Liberian to continually follow all preventive health measures mandated by the Ministry of Health, NPHIL and its partners, as they strive in doing everything possible in the fight against COVID-19

First COVAX Shipment Arrives in Liberia

The government of Liberia through Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and Foreign Minister, H.E. Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., on Friday, March 5, 2021, received first the shipment of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines at the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

The 96,000 doses received is part of 384,000 doses that are expected to be delivered to Liberia through the COVAX Facility soon.

Receiving the consignments, Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, lauded the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Government, the COVAX Facility, including other partners in ensuring that Liberia becomes a recipient of the COVAX Vaccine.

Minister Jallah said the consignment of COVAX Vaccine is very important to the government of Liberia’s continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

She noted that the government attaches great importance to the protection of its citizens, especially with the arrival of the COVAX Vaccine.

The Health Minister said the ministry has already begun receiving calls from Liberians who are willing to take the COVAX Vaccine, saying “this must be echo across the country.”

The Vaccines were presented to the Government of Liberia by the Country Representative of the World Health Organization to Liberia, Dr. Peter Clements, and Mr. Samuel Mawunganidze, UNICEF Deputy Representative for Programme.

Making remarks on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dee Maxwell Kemayah, extended gratitude to the international partners through whom Liberia has benefited from COVAX Facility.

Minister Kemayah said the government is thrilled with the initial 96,000 doses of the COVID-19 Vaccines, which he believed will further upsurge Liberia’s preparedness in continuation of its fight against the Virus.

He assumed the partners of Liberia’s eagerness to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in adherence to all health protocols and preventive measures prescribed by health authorities.

Also, in remarks was US Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Michael McCarthy, who expressed US’ willingness to supporting Liberia’s fight against the virus.

“The United States is committed to working with partners across the globe to end the devastating public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ambassador McCarthy disclosed.

With this, he added that President Joe Biden announced $4 billion in funding to support the international vaccine initiative COVAX, which facilitates procurement and equitable global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, including 92 low- and middle-income economies supported through the COVAX Advanced Markets Commitment. 

Speaking further, the American Ambassador stated, “This contribution makes the United States the single largest contributor to the international response to COVID-19 and builds on decades of U.S. investments in global health, health security, and global health organizations, as well as demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build back better by strengthening multilateral cooperation on the response and advancing global health. “we encourage other countries to make and fulfill concrete commitments to COVAX and to support expanding vaccine manufacturing and distribution to help end this pandemic and ensure future preparedness.”

The US Ambassador congratulated the Government of Liberia on her continued commitment to reducing the transmission and halting the spread of COVID-19 in Liberia and in the region.

“Liberia’s successful fight against COVID-19 to date takes a critical leap forward with the arrival of vaccines to protect health care workers and the most vulnerable from this terrible disease. But the work doesn’t stop here. We hope Liberians will take the opportunity to receive safe and effective vaccines if offered.  And, as always, we remind everyone to continue to wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, stay two arms-length apart in public, and seek treatment if you feel sick.  Together we can put an end to this pandemic,” Ambassador McCarthy stressed.

According to the U.S. Ambassador, the American Government has provided an initial tranche of $2 billion to COVAX and will provide the additional funding through 2022, disclosing “We will also work with other donors to make further pledges and commitments to meet the initiative’s critical needs.  We are committed to working with partners and governments to support global COVID-19 vaccination efforts, with a focus on vaccinating vulnerable populations.”

Outlining efforts made by the US Government, Ambassador McCarthy intimated that for the last 60 years the U.S. Government has been working with Liberia’s health sector as a partner to strengthen services and build capacity; the U.S. Government provided $2.3 million to Liberia’s COVID-19 response; USAID supported risk communications, county-level coordination and response, cash transfers, hospitals and treatment facilities, and overall safety nets for the most vulnerable; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide critical technical assistance to strengthen contract tracing, surveillance, and laboratory activities; and the U.S. Department of Defense coordinated the transfer of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and medical equipment, respectfully.

The turning over ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries to include the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott, the Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU), Laurent Delahousse, the Ambassadors of France, Michaël Roux, Germany, Hubert Jäger, United Kingdom, Neil Bradley, and the United States, Michael A. McCarthy, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of Ireland, Kate O’Donnell, Rep. Joseph N. Somwarbi, Chairman on Health, House of Representative, and other representatives of multilateral agencies and the colorful representation of the fourth estate  .

Signed: ____________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communication

MOH Concludes Nationwide Tour in Five Counties

Liberian Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and team of experts at the Ministry have concluded first phase of a nationwide tour in five (5) counties, including Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland Counties.

Dr. Jallah alongside Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh; Deputy Minister for Planning and Policy, A. Varfee Tulay; County Health Services Director, Lorene Cooper; Family Health Division Director, Bentoe Z. Tehoungue, among others, jointly commissioned discussions with visited health facilities in those five counties.

The tour, which started from February 12 to 28, 2021, is part of the Ministers annual assessment and acquaintance exercise aimed at identifying progresses, challenges and difficulties confronting health practitioners, as well as find ways forward for improvement.

Among other things, it is also geared towards the Minister’s interpersonal interaction with patients at various health facilities and rendering of humanitarian gestures during these visits. It is meant to review progresses and successes made in past years at both national and counties’ level and to also galvanize strategies to form a comprehensive and progressive national health plans for engagement.

About 1,800 CHS, CHSA, etc., were engaged by the Minister and her team, who shared their respective experiences and made recommendations to the team.

Fortunately, the energetic and passionate of Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah’s annual counties tour coincided with the President of the republic of Liberia, H.E. DR. George Manneh Weah’s strategic nationwide just ended tour.

 The Dr. Jallah and team ably assisted by Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Francis Kateh joined President Weah’s engagements with health workers, relocation of the G. W. Hardley Hospital in Sanniquellie, extension of the VIP annex of Jackson F. Doe Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County, and ground breaking ceremonies of a modern referral Hospital in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh, and Pleebo Health Center, Maryland Counties, among others.

Meanwhile, the referral hospital to be constructed in Zwedru, is a project with support from the German Government which in line with pillar one of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development—it highlights the improvement of health service delivery and infrastructure development.

Making special remarks at the occasion, President George Manneh Weah lauded his German counterpart for such a huge support and investment to Liberia, especially the health sector.

He assured the German Government of Liberia’s unending cooperation in a move to further strengthen the ties already sustenance between the two countries.

The Liberian Leader meanwhile encouraged the citizens of Grand Gedeh County to continue to keep the peace because it was as a result of the peace which they are now enjoying that led to the implementation of such meaningful health project for them.

Also speaking at the program was Liberia’s Chief Medical Office (CMO), Dr Francis Kateh who thanked the German Government and collaborating partners for ensuring the realization of the project.

Dr. Kateh said, with the level of works being done in the Health sector, the sector is on path in meeting global health goal, saying “The health sector is moving in the right direction and we are happy and with more support and collaboration it will get better and bigger soon.”

However, the project is also in line with the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) pillar three among other things highlight good health and well-being for all, will also see Liberia making its contribution of half a million Euros towards its implementation.

The availability and supply of medical equipment as well as the building of capacity for health care workers and technicians will also be covered under the project which is dominantly supported by the German Development Bank, including its implementing partners and the government of Liberia. 

It is expected to serve thousands of residents of Grand Gedeh and the entire southeastern region of the country, inclusive of River Gee, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland, and River Cess counties.

However, the phase of the Minister’s tour concluded in Maryland county and the second phase is expected to start very soon.

Signed:__________________________

Felecia Gbesioh

Director of Communication. MOH