(Monrovia, Liberia – November 15, 2024)—The Child Health Technical Working Group (CHTWG) has outlined bold recommendations to improve healthcare access for children in Liberia. These initiatives mentioned creating a sustainable funding mechanism and enhancing community engagement to address health challenges affecting children across the country. The recommendations stem from a strategic meeting convened by the Ministry of Health (MoH) through its Family Health Program (FHP) on November 14, 2024, at the Royal Grand Hotel in Sinkor. The meeting, supported by UNICEF, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, united in their commitment to advancing child health in Liberia. Dr. Nowiah Gorpu-Dolo Dennis, Director of the Family Health Program, explained the progress in child health services. She disclosed plans to modernize the current maternal health documentation system, the “big-belly booklet,” inspired by Ghana’s integrated birth certificate model.
Dr. Dennis revealed that two Liberian doctors, Dr. Fortune and Dr. Kun, will visit Ghana to study the design and content of the booklet. The updated version will include comprehensive information on newborn care, filling critical gaps in the current system. “This tool will serve as an educational guide for pregnant women and new mothers, focusing on reducing morbidity and mortality by emphasizing accessible and quality healthcare,” Dr. Dennis noted. Additionally, a medical team will be deployed to Sinoe, Grand Kru, and Maryland counties to establish Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and provide training on newborn resuscitation and Kangaroo Mother Care. Ms. Lela P. Dolo, Executive Director of Help for Mothers and Newborn in Liberia (HMNI), showcased a portable fetal heart monitor developed in collaboration with the Orange Digital Program Centre. The device is currently assisting 150 vulnerable pregnant women in Margibi County by providing health awareness and financial support. In another development, Annie Forleh of the National AIDS Control Program (NACP/PMTCT) announced plans to incorporate HIV testing into the big-belly booklet. This initiative aligns with the triple elimination strategy, which targets HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, set to begin in 2025.
UNICEF Child Health Specialist Maiko Kamata commended Liberia’s pioneering role as the first African nation to develop a national child health strategy. Kamata reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for validating, printing, and disseminating the upgraded big-belly booklet. The gathering also emphasized sourcing potential funding opportunities for 2025, conducting joint health facility visits, and preparing for World Prematurity Day on November 17, 2024. The Ministry of Health applauded the collective efforts of the Child Health Technical Working Group and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing child health through innovative and inclusive approaches.