(Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia, January 27, 2021) As part of partnership with the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Health for the protection of healthcare workers in Liberia, Mercy Ships Wednesday, January 27, 2021 donated assorted Medical Supplies to the Ministry in Congo Town.

The mix Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) included 74,300 pieces composed of 16,800 surgeon/nurse caps, 8,000 N95 filtering face piece masks, 14,500 examination gloves, 16,000 isolation gowns, 2,200 goggles and 16,800 pairs of shoe-covers.

“On behalf of Mercy Ships international, our board, Africa Bureau, International Support Center and national offices staff, crew and volunteers of the Ships, it is my privilege as designated Mercy Ships Country Director for Liberia to complete the donation handover of Personal Protective Equipment from Mercy Ships,” Keith Brinkman, Mercy Ships Country Director to Liberia said during handover of the donation to Minister Wilhelmina Jallah at the Minister of Health in Monrovia.

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic last year, Mercy Ships had made earlier donation of PPE to the Ministry of Health consisting of 13,600 of pieces of assorted medical supplies.

“I also express our appreciation to the MSC Foundation for their donation of shipping and port coordination and their partnership with Mercy Ship since 2011. Also thanks to the contracted services of OBT shipping here in Liberia for clearance,” Keith Brinkman, Mercy Ships Country Director to Liberia noted. “Similar shipments were sent to 10 other partner nations including Benin, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo”.

The PPE is designated for distribution by the Ministry for the ongoing battle to continue medical care and keep the health care workers safe.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah acknowledged the numerous contributions by Mercy Ships International since the outbreak of the noxious Coronavirus pandemic, describing it as a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

Dr. Jallah, earlier, lauded Mercy Ship international for including Liberia among nations in the sub-region to benefit the donation which will guarantee the fight against the COVID-19.

“On behalf of the president, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, head of the sparkle team, who oversees the COVID-19, we appreciated the last gift you sent to us and it was to continue the fight against COVID-19. We are happy that you are able to provide all of these other materials us as well as our neighboring countries to continue to fight COVID-19. Everything that have been received here today will be used for its intended purpose—to protected the healthcare workers and to fight this virus,” she said during the donation.

Deliberating further at the one hundred thousand United States dollars ($100,000US) donation, the energetic Minister noted: “Also since we have move on from –COVID-19 to integrating the fight into routine health care, we will be able to supply all of our different facilities with materials to protect themselves, not only from COVID but from any other pending emerging infections that will come into the system, as the days go back.”

The donation which is aimed at enhancing workings of health workers at various facilities across the country, will not only benefit them (health workers) but will indirectly benefit populace in general: “We really appreciate what you have sent and I am sure that the rest of the population will benefit indirectly because as it goes to the facilities, our health workers will be fully prepare to do their job,” she concluded.

Signed: ________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communication, MOH   

(Congo Town, Monrovia, January 22, 2021)—The government emphasis on rebuilding Liberia’s health system with the construction of more health facilities that meet universal standard remains one of its major priorities among its many agenda.

To fulfil this endeavor, the government of Liberia Thursday, January 21, 2021, broke grounds for the construction of a modern state of the art one hundred bed rooms hospital in Bopolu city, Gbarpolu.

The hospital project, which will further enhance infrastructural development in the health sector and increase access to quality health care service delivery in Gbarpolu and its surrounding Counties, will also have an area of 52,000 square feet with all modern facilities including urgent care department, diagnostic department, operation theater, mother and child department, NICU and intensive care department, internal medicine and pulmonology department etc. Its major source of energy will be solar energy.

The gigantic project which is expected to be completed in fourteen months by the Intbox Global UAE-based Horizontal construction company through the Government of UAE is a gesture of goodwill as a result of the outstanding bilateral relations between the Government of UAE and Liberia respectively. It holds the humanitarian values and universal brotherhood cherished by the government of U.A.E and its commitment to the people of Liberia.

Breaking official grounds for the milestone project was Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, who lauded the government of U.A.E. through the intervention of H.E. President George Weah for contributing to the country’s health sector.

Giving the capacity of the project, the Minister told the people of Gbarpolu that there will be more healthcare workers in the county unlike its current size of about 263: “Today is a great day for all of us—to see Gbarpolu County becoming host of a regional hospital, where people will come from other counties for quality services. As a result of this, we will make sure we increase the numbers of current healthcare workers, 263, in the county—we will triple it or make it more”.

She beseeched the people of the county and the region to serve as ambassadors of the hospital for its maintenance and said H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah and government places major emphasis in the sector and is doing everything possible to help improve it for the benefit of the larger population.

“If this hospital will last longer it depends on you the people of this great county. Step up to your plate; do your part and the partners will do theirs which will bring in more hospitals in the Country”, the Health Minister urged her people in brief remarks.

The County since its existence will for the first time benefit from such unique health care infrastructure which will immensely help residents of the region with accessible health care services.

Also part of the delegation was Dr. Francis Kateh, Deputy Minister for Health Service and Chief Medical Office of the Republic of Liberia who then acknowledged the support of his immediate boss, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, all line ministries, the Superintendent, and the County Health Team, the Women leadership of Gbarpolu; most importantly the Islamic School that captivated the two-member delegation.

As part of the agreement, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of health has already secure USD 5M drugs which is currently in the Country, disclosed Dr. Francis Kateh, Deputy Health Minister.         

Also during the ground breaking ceremony was Wesseh Blamo, Deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, who thus far commended the partners and the locals for their initial willingness and commitment to the project.

The Deputy Minister of State boss said over three thousand people are expected to benefit from the historic Health care project upon full completion in 2022.

In remarks, the Project Director and Consultant, Dr. Rajeer Mangottil underscored that the objective of the project is to among other things make health care accessible to people living in the Western region of Liberia, which is a major part of the government of UAE Humanitarian agenda.

Signed: ______________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication, MOH

(Congo Town, Monrovia, January 22, 2021)—The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health (MOH) has begun the process of reviewing and developing its current community Health Assistant (CHA) program and strategic plan (2016-2021).

The current CHA program policy and strategic plan, which is expected to expire in June 2021, will pave the way for the on-going revision of the 10-year curriculum.

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.

The review process is aimed at strengthening the formulization and institutionalization of the community Health Assistant program that will continue to provide quality primary healthcare services to nursing program which will provide basic health promotion and healthcare activities to people living within the reach of the nearest Health facilities and urban communities.

“Today, we brought together key divisions and programs at the Ministry of Health including some key implementing partners as well as stakeholders to initiate and to fund technical working groups into thematic areas.

“We have been able to establish seven (7) thematic groups ranging from governance, leadership and community engagement; human resource for health; service delivery supply chain management; logistic, supervision and training; community base information System and Health Financing”, Olasford Wiah, Director of community Health Services Division, explained during the opening of the one-day long meeting.

“The intent of this is for each thematic group to review the existence policies and innovation that we had have over the past years—lessons learned. Those thematic groups will come up with a clear situational analysis, develop recommendation for the new policy and strategy.

“First, the policy has been able to develop recommendation of the strategy. So this thematic group will look at this through and develop the policy and strategy so the current strategy we worked out will be expiring this June, 2021. This means that we have to develop a new policy and strategy before the end of June.”

Commenting further on the official launching of the new curriculum, Director Wiah revealed that upon completing the document, the MOH and its partners will officially launch it (document) in November of this year at an international symposium in Liberia.

“We are expected to launch this new curriculum roadmap in November of 2021 at the International symposium that will be held here in Liberia”

The new curriculum formation is being supported and implemented by various organizations including World Bank, Global Fund, Samaritan’s Purse, IRC, and partners in Health.

Other supporting and implementing organizations are USAID, Last Mile Health, and others.

The orientation meeting gathered health stakeholders, Ministers, Programs and Divisions Heads of the Ministry of Health; Representatives from World Bank, World Health Organization, Samaritan’s Purse, etc.

Signed: ______________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication, MOH

(Congo Town, Monrovia, January 22, 2021)—The provision of quality healthcare service delivery remains paramount concern of the Ministry of Health (MOH), although outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus earlier last year has impeded fabrics of the sector. But the Ministry’s commitment to the health need of Liberians cannot be over emphasized.

In this vein, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health and its partners in the health sector have embarked on plans gear towards vaccinating children across the Country with typhoid vaccine.

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhoid bacteria. It is still a serious health threat in the developing world, especially for children.

The Ministry and partners will commence the four-day typhoid vaccination campaign in the Country beginning February 24 to 28, 2021.

The vaccination is expected to target children between nine (9) months to fifteen (15) years old in the fifteen counties of Liberia.

“Parents please take your children who are from 9 months old to 15 years to the nearest vaccination sites, clinics or hospitals for the typhoid vaccine”, Lahannah Ville-Jawara, Coordinator for Health Promotion at the Ministry, said during a media briefing.

During the campaign, vaccine will be given at special locations in communities and at clinics or hospitals, which citizens will have free access to so as to minimize the rate of typhoid fever in the country, according to Mrs. Jawara.

According to her, the Ministry in collaboration with its partners has developed simple typhoid messages which will be played on various communities’ radio stations for publicity.

“We are engaging stakeholders including the Medical and Dental Counsel, the Marketing Association of Liberia, Crusaders for Peace, the Traditional Counsel, among other groupings to create massive awareness on this upcoming vaccination campaign”. We believe they will motivate mothers to take their children for the vaccine,” she opined. 

Also speaking was William T. Gaye, who attributed delay of the campaign to the Coronavirus outbreak. He said they have already started engaging different sectors in educating parents about the importance of the vaccine: “due to the outbreak of the virus we decided to pause the exercise. Now, we have resumed it.

People with typhoid can have several signs and symptoms including persistent fever, general body weakness and sweating.

The disease can be spread fast through facial-oral route (Saliva, Kissing), using unclean hand when eating, using contaminated utensil, unclean environment where rats, roaches, live in the home or community.

Signed: ______________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication, MOH

(Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia, January 19, 2021)—In an effort to enhance corporation and collaboration in the Liberian Health Sector, the District Governor for District 403A2 of Lions Club International, Lossou G. Hermann Djibom has paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah. 

The Lions Club District Governor’s visit to the Minister’s office is aimed at reviewing health projects implemented by the organization, undertaking two (2) new projects to include malaria and sickle cell, as well as identifying challenges faced by the Country health sector for amicable intervention. The visit is also geared towards strengthening collaboration and heightening cooperation between the Ministry and the Lions Club for the sole purpose of building resilient health care system for all, and to also buttress government’s efforts.  

The Lion Club International has been partnering with the Government of Liberia through the Ministry, particularly, in the areas of healthcare delivery as its way of contributing to the Country’s Health system and humanity. It is one of the biggest not-for-profit charity Organization in the world that seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of local communities especially the blind, the visually impaired, and the underprivileged through direct services to communities.

In supra, the organization has initiated several projects in the country’s health sector including renovation of the Government Hospital Eye Center in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, equipping of the Eye Clinic at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, among others. 

Making remarks during the visit, Governor Lossou G. Hermann Djibom named malaria, sickle cell and other diseases as leading diseases in the West African region that need serious attention by stakeholders, which the organization has decided to make immediate intervention.

Governor Djibom, who is a progressive Melvin Jones Fellow with five (5) diamonds, told Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah that, following an assessment by the Lion Club international, additional two projects (investment in malaria and sycosis control) have been considered to be implemented under his organization. “Under this mandate we have decided to add two additional projects: Malaria and sycosis. You know intense of tropical diseases in the sub-region, these two diseases are most important. So it is important Lion that focuses on these two diseases.”

Before his departure to Lomé, Togo, he is also expected to tour the Liberia Government Hospital Eye Center in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, and the Eye Clinic at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.

Welcoming Governor Djibom and delegation, Dr. Jallah lavished praises on Lions Club International for its numerous contribution to the country’s health system amid outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Minister said the implementation of major projects in parts of the Country by the Lion Club International are welcoming initiatives that have been appreciated by Liberians, naming the renovation of the Government Hospital Eye Center in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, and the equipped Eye Clinic at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center. 

 “On the line of the eyes, the people of Liberia really appreciate all that have been done by the Lion Club, especially the new eyes services at J. F. K. I am sure the people of Grand Bassa County are taking full advantage of the state of the act equipment were placed there,” Minister Jallah, who is egger to improving the Country’s health system, said. “I am very pleased to hear about the new project, especially in the line of sycosis which I have a passion for.”

The Minister made the statement on January 19, 2021 at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town

The Minister used the occasion to call on Liberians to continuously follow all health protocols prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities in the country for their safety, saying “We should not forget that the virus in the Country. Please let’s continuously follow all of the health measures prescribed by WHO and health authorities in the country to avoid further spread of the virus”.

Signed: ________________________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication, MOH