(Monrovia, Liberia, March 25, 2025) – Liberia has taken a step toward achieving universal health coverage as key stakeholders convened Monday at the Golden Key Hotel to validate the actuarial analysis for the proposed Liberia Health Equity Fund (LHEF) or Liberia Social Health Insurance Scheme. The meeting brought together policymakers, development partners, and government officials to assess the viability and financial sustainability of LHEF as a policy for sustainable health financing in Liberia. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare for all Liberians.
Hon. Malayah T. Chieyoe, Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of a robust healthcare system for national development. “A healthy population is the foundation of any development you’re considering. Without a healthy population, forget about development,” he stated. He assured the public of the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all.
Hon. Nathaniel Kwabo, Director of Cabinet, reaffirmed President Joseph Boakai’s dedication to universal health coverage, stating that healthcare access is a fundamental human right. “This initiative has been a priority for the president even before he assumed office. Every Liberian, regardless of their background, must have access to healthcare,” Kwabo declared. He also highlighted the consequences of inadequate healthcare financing, noting that many preventable deaths occur due to a lack of resources. The initiative has received strong backing from the Legislature. Hon. P. Mike Jurry, Chair of the House Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, vowed to secure financial support for the program. “We will work with the Ministry of Finance to ensure money is available for this crucial program,” he affirmed.
Similarly, Nuwoe Kellen, Chief of Staff to Senator Prince Moye, emphasized the Senate’s commitment, pledging collaboration with the House of Representatives to mobilize resources. Development partners also applauded Liberia’s efforts. Scarlet Longsti, Universal Health Coverage Financing and Planning Specialist at Partners in Health (PIH) praised the country’s progress. “Liberia is making intentional progress toward universal health coverage. PIH remains committed to supporting the government at every step of the way,” she said.
Hon. George P. Jacobs, Assistant Minister for Policy and Planning, underscored the importance of the validation exercise in shaping the future of health financing in Liberia. “We are here to validate the actuarial analysis for the Liberia Health Equity Fund. This process is essential in determining how we can sustainably finance universal health coverage,” he explained. Minister Jacobs highlighted Liberia’s financial challenges, revealing that public investment in health remains insufficient. “Out-of-pocket payments account for 63% of healthcare spending,” he noted. He also pointed out the country’s reliance on donor funding, which has been declining.
“In 2025, the government will allocate $91 million to health, while anticipated donor funds stand at $81 million. However, the actual need is over $458 million,” in line with WHO projection per capita, he revealed. To bridge this gap, Minister Jacobs outlined Liberia’s strategy for achieving universal health coverage. “The Liberia Health Equity Fund will be the medium-to-long-term strategy for sustainable health financing. In the short term, Revolving Drugs fund or Community Pharmacy, cost-sharing and performance-based financing will be introduced in addition to the LHEF as an interim policy measure,” he announced. The discussion also highlighted critical challenges in service delivery, including a severe shortage of healthcare professionals. “Liberia has only 11 to 12.8 skilled health workers per 10,000 people. Midwives, lab technologists, and specialized nurses are in short supply,” Jacobs lamented.
Additional concerns include limited hospital beds, inadequate water and sanitation in public health facilities, and unreliable electricity. One of the core goals of universal health coverage is eliminating financial barriers to healthcare. “No one should be denied healthcare because they cannot pay. Equity in access is a key objective,” Jacobs emphasized. He warned of the dangers of high out-of-pocket payments, citing global statistics. “500 million people worldwide fall into poverty due to healthcare costs. Liberia is contributing to this statistic,” he said. To meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of $80 per capita, Liberia requires $458.8 million by 2025.
Minister Jacobs called for innovative financing mechanisms, urging stakeholders to explore domestic resource mobilization, public-private partnerships, and more efficient spending. The validation meeting laid out a roadmap for health financing reforms. “Our goal is to finalize the actuarial analysis and refine the Liberia Health Equity Fund Bill,” Jacobs noted. Stakeholders stressed the urgency of implementing reforms. “Health financing cannot wait. The lives of millions of Liberians depend on it,” Longsti remarked. Development partners and civil society organizations pledged their support, emphasizing the need for transparency. “Funds must be managed efficiently to ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries,” a civil society leader stated.
As the meeting concluded, Deputy Minister Chieyoe reiterated the government’s commitment to action. “This validation is not just an academic exercise. It is about saving lives. We must act now,” he urged. With the actuarial analysis validated, Liberia now has a clearer path toward securing sustainable healthcare financing, bringing the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.