(BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County, April 15, 2026) – The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with international and private sector partners, has launched Project TREND in the port city of Buchanan, to strengthen the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Liberia.
The project, known as Project TREND (Training and Reinforcing Engagement on Non-Communicable Diseases), is being implemented by the Institut Européen de Cooperation et de Développement, with support from the Sanofi Global Health Unit, represented by Dr Eunice TAFAM, targeting hypertension and diabetes as priority conditions.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh Howe, Meeko Kenkpen described the launch as a turning point in the country’s health sector response to chronic diseases.
“Today is more than just the start of another initiative; it marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s journey towards a healthier, more secure, and prosperous future,” Kenkpen declared.
She emphasized that the initiative represents more than an immediate intervention, but a long-term investment in national development.
“This project is not merely a response to existing threats; it is a proactive strategy to safeguard our future. It is an investment in our human capital and our national security,” she said.
Highlighting the growing health threat posed by NCDs, Kenkpen noted that hypertension and diabetes are increasingly contributing to illness and death across the country.
“Despite this growing burden, there remain critical gaps in awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of these conditions across the country,” she added.
She stressed that prioritizing the two conditions could significantly ease pressure on the health system.
“By emphasizing hypertension and diabetes, we can make meaningful strides in controlling these conditions, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the overall health system strain,” she noted.
Providing an overview of the project, Jamesetta Smith, Director of the NCDI Unit, revealed that Liberia continues to face a critical shortage of trained health workers in NCD care.
“Current data show that only 62 Public Health Facilities have been trained in NCD care out of an estimated 900 required nationwide,” she disclosed.
Smith further pointed to systemic weaknesses affecting health data management.
“Additionally, weak data systems, driven by limited digital infrastructure, inadequate health registers, and inconsistent reporting, have constrained evidence-based decision-making. Project TREND is designed to directly address these shortcomings through a multi-pronged approach that combines training, data system strengthening, and community engagement,” she explained.
Also speaking, Alexandre Vial, Country Director of IECD Liberia, underscored the organization’s commitment to sustainable capacity building.
“IECD is an international NGO founded in 1988. We work in 18 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Our mission is simple: we support people—young people especially—to build their skills, find a job, and improve their lives,” Vial said.
He noted that IECD began operations in Liberia in 2020 and has since expanded its portfolio to include health interventions.
“In Liberia, health professionals—doctors, nurses, midwives, community health workers—often lack the training to detect and manage non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension,” he said.
“This is exactly where IECD comes in. We know how to design training programs, strengthen institutions, and make sure the skills stay long after the project ends. Project TREND applies this same approach,” Vial added.
Under the initiative, 96 health workers across 24 facilities in Grand Bassa and Bomi Counties will receive training using the World Health Organization’s Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases (WHO-PEN), adapted to Liberia’s context.
At the community level, 24 Community Health Services Supervisors and approximately 200 Community Health Assistants will also be trained to integrate NCD awareness, screening, and referral into routine outreach services.
The project further aims to strengthen Liberia’s Health Management Information System through the distribution of more than 900 NCD-specific registers and improved reporting into the national District Health Information System (DHIS2).
At the grassroots level, trained community health workers are expected to lead awareness campaigns and screening exercises targeting at least 18,000 people, while broader service delivery improvements are projected to benefit over 30,000 individuals.
This initiative is powered by Sanofi Global Health Unit for a sustainable impact.