Lower Margibi County, Liberia | June 16, 2026 – The Ministry of Health (MOH), through its Performance-Based Financing (PBF) Program and with support from the World Bank-funded Institutional Foundations to Improve Services for Health (IFISH) Project, has convened a five-day national review meeting aimed at assessing the performance of County Health Teams and health facilities while developing strategies to sustain and expand gains achieved under the PBF Program.

Held under the theme, “Strengthened Systems for Quality Care Delivery through the PBF Program,” the review brings together County Health Teams, district health authorities, health facility supervisors, technical experts, development partners, and Ministry officials from seven implementing counties: Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Kru, Maryland, Montserrado, Rivercess, and Sinoe.

The meeting provides an important platform to validate performance results, identify strategic priorities, share lessons learned, and agree on a roadmap for sustaining and scaling the program as Liberia advances toward greater domestic ownership of health financing.

Opening the review, Acting Deputy Minister for Health Services and Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Teyah Sackie Moore, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, welcomed participants and expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued partnership in strengthening Liberia’s health system.

“We have been to these counties and have seen the gains made, and we are here today to review how far we have come and where we want PBF to go,” Dr. Moore said. “The question everyone will be asking is: what next, in terms of implementation? When something is good, you build on it, with a strong possibility that it can be sustained.”

Dr. Moore encouraged participants to engage actively throughout the review process by celebrating successes, candidly identifying existing gaps, and contributing practical solutions that will shape the next phase of the program.

The first two days of the meeting focus on reviewing county performance achievements. County Health Teams from the seven participating counties are presenting detailed analyses of their performance, including service utilization trends, quality assessment scores, financial performance, innovative practices, and success stories. Discussions are also examining national performance indicators and emerging trends affecting county and facility outcomes.

Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Anthony Fortune, Assistant Minister for Vital Statistics, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening accountability and improving health outcomes through results-based approaches.

“Performance-Based Financing has become an important instrument for improving service delivery, promoting accountability, and encouraging results-oriented management across our health sector,” Dr. Fortune noted. “The progress recorded in service utilization, quality improvement, and ownership among health facilities demonstrates the value of this approach.”

Providing an overview of the program, Madam Vera G. Mussah, Director of the PBF Unit, described Performance-Based Financing as a system-based approach that links financial incentives to verified results to improve both the quality and quantity of healthcare services delivered.

According to Madam Mussah, Liberia’s PBF initiative, which began as a pilot program in 2008 covering three counties, has expanded significantly to support seven counties, 142 primary healthcare facilities, and eleven hospitals. The program now serves as an integral component of the Ministry of Health’s broader health systems strengthening agenda and is undergoing preparations for national scale-up.

A major focus of this year’s review is sustainability. Through dedicated sessions and thematic breakout discussions, participants are examining strategies to sustain PBF gains in the event of reduced donor financing over the next three to five years. Working groups are developing practical recommendations on resource mobilization, verification and accountability systems, service delivery and quality improvement, supply chain management, and governance, human resources, and contracting mechanisms.

The meeting will culminate in the consolidation and adoption of key recommendations designed to strengthen implementation and guide future investment decisions. Senior Ministry leadership is expected to provide strategic direction for the next phase of the program, while participants formally endorse action points and accountability measures to support implementation.

The final day will recognize outstanding performance among County Health Teams, hospitals, and primary healthcare facilities through an awards and recognition ceremony celebrating excellence and innovation in health service delivery.

As Liberia continues its pursuit of universal access to quality healthcare, the Ministry of Health remains committed to fostering accountability, strengthening systems, and ensuring that Performance-Based Financing contributes meaningfully to improved health outcomes for all Liberians.

About Performance-Based Financing (PBF)

Performance-Based Financing is a health financing approach that links payments to verified results achieved by health facilities and health teams. The model incentivizes improved service delivery, enhances accountability, promotes data-driven decision-making, and supports better health outcomes through continuous quality improvement.