MOH Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Phase Two

(June 2, 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)—The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with partners on June 1, 2021 officially launched phase two of the COVAX Vaccines immunization at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.

Phase two of the vaccination is aimed at targeting previously vaccinated persons for the completion of their respective dozes.

“The importance attached to this second doze is that it will give the 100% protection against the virus. We need to vaccinate approximately two million people”, Dr Wilhelmina Jallah said at the launch.

The first phase of the COVAX Vaccination exercise, which is still on going at various designated health facilities in the Country, has met its goal as over 56,000 persons have been vaccinated against the virus since the official launch of the nationwide vaccination exercise in April of this year.

“We are very much excited with the first phase of the vaccination, because had lots of individuals and institutions pulling for the vaccines, including churches, Mosques, schools, organizations, etc.” Dr. said. “We appreciate everyone who have participated in the process, including those who are yet to be vaccinated”.

As a way of ensuring that the Ministry meets its targets, Dr. Jallah said her team deployed a strategy by engaging stakeholders at all levels of the Liberians society for the common good of minimizing the spread of virus, and at ensuring that citizens take advantage of the vaccination process.

 “Well, as we speak, we have recording over hundred plus persons for this second phase,” the Liberian Health Minister disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Health Minister named John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Redemption, J.D.J., and 14 Military hospitals as public health facilities where the immunization will be administered; while SOS, Catholic and ELWA Hospitals, as well as the UN Clinic were among few private health facilities labeled for the vaccination.

“All of those places we started the vaccination are maintained…Please good back to where you took the first doze to get your second doze. We don’t you to go the places we’re giving the second doze, so if you didn’t take the first, we want to subject that you go to the Ministry of Health or EOC at the old maternity Center on Capitol Bypass where we will be giving the first doze. But the previous that we announced will now be administering the second doze. Do not forget your vaccination card,” she informed.

Also, Dr. Jallah admonished Liberians from all walks of life to join the immunization campaign so as to keep safe from contracting the virus.

  “We are calling on all Liberians and foreign residents alike to join us in this campaign in order to end this global pandemic. They are saying ‘pandemic’ because this virus is all over the world, which Liberia is of no exception”, she averred. 

As a way of exemplifying altruistic leadership and demonstrating how safe the vaccines are, Liberian Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah was also first to be immunized on camera, including Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Country Representative to Liberia and other high profiled government officials as well as other participants who graced the occasion.

Signed: ________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications

            Ministry of Health, R.L

Dr. Jallah Lavishes Praises On PMC For Costly Medical Supplies

(Monrovia, Liberia, May 24, 2021)—Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, has lavished praises on a US-based Organization, Parks Medical Corporation (PMC), for its overwhelming support and contribution towards the Country’s Health Sector.

“On behalf of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah and the people of Liberia, first of all; we want to say thanks to Mr. Parks and his foundation for working along with you [Mr. Nmah] to think about Liberia

“However, the cost of these equipment are an underestimation because they are very expensive and important. Thanks to the Liberian Community in Washington for their involvement in getting these supplies to the country,” she praised.

Explaining further on the importance of the donation, Dr. Jallah deliberated: “To let Liberians know what Mr Parks and his Foundation have donated to Liberia, they donated Endoscopic video system—which is one of the new technology systems; it is a video system that when you are doing the work, the doctor and his/her medical technicians will be able to see what’s going on in the person’s body.”

The Minister, however, emphasized that the donation will be turned over to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, which is one of the Country’s highest healthcare providers, for an immediate setup.

Dr. Jallah used the occasion to extoll Mr. Gabriel Nmah for using his connection to contribute to the country’s health sector and asked well-meaning Liberians to follow suit.

The donation which worth over eighty thousand United States dollars (US$8,000.00) was attracted through the efforts of Hon. Gabriel Nmah, Deputy Director for Administration of the Liberian National Fire Service (LNFS).

Speaking over the Weekend, while presenting the assorted medical supplies to the Ministry, Hon. Gabriel Nmah, Sr., narrated that the donation followed as a result of his visit to the United States of America in June last year, when he accompanied Sen. Phil D. Fortunato on his gubernatorial Campaign. During the visit, according to him, he met with a philanthropist and businessman, David B. Parks. During the interaction, Mr. Parks promised to help contribute to the country’s health system through his foundation—the PMC.

“When he asked [me] where he could contribute, I named the health sector. But, since I am not a medical practitioner, I immediately contacted Minister Jallah; and they began the conversation”, Mr. Nmah explained. “PMC has actually been donating medical supplies to Senegal, Mexico, India, etc.”

Meanwhile, the LNFS’ Deputy Director beseeched the Ministry to list some medical equipment that public hospitals and clinics lack so PMC can make interventions.

The Parks Medical Corporation (PMC) is an institution which was established in 2001 and have been providing or supplying quality healthcare equipment over twenty years. Mr. David Parks is the president and owner of the Parks Medical Corporation based in Spokane, Washington State, USA. President Parks is a renowned philanthropist and businessman who has also made similar donations to other countries around the world, including but not limited to, Senegal, Mexico, Mali, and the Philippines.

The items received include: Fujifilm 4400HD Endoscopic Video System, ERBE ICC 200 Electrosurgical Unit, Endoscopic Lavage Flush Pump with Water Bottles & Tubing, Savory Esophageal Dilator, EC530LSZ HD Pediatric Colonoscope, EC530HC HD Adult Colonoscope, EG530WR HD Gastroscope and 19” HD NDS Medical Monitor with Cabling and Keyboard.

Among other items donated also are:  Cygnus Enzymatic Sponges (Bag), Disposable EndoGator Tubing Sets, Dragontail Microfiber Channel Brushes, Single-Use Colon Biopsy Forceps, FB24E-1 Endoscopy Biopsy Forceps, Reusable Endoscopy Water Bottles, Endoscopy Bite Blocks, PMC Hand Held Leak Tester, Polyp Traps, etc.

Signed: _____________________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication

           Ministry of Health, R.L

MOH, Partners Conclude Free Surgical Outreach In Bong

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the New Sight Eye Center   has recently concluded another phase of free surgical and medical outreach in Bong county, the central region of Liberia. The free surgical outreach was sponsored by the Samaritan’s Purse International while the New Sight Eye Center served as its implementing partner. The free eye surgery outreach conducted in the county is among few eye programs piloted by Samaritan’s Purse, which is aimed at improving the quality of lives of people living with blindness across the nation.

During the week-long exercise, over 350 visually impede people successfully underwent free surgery, with many of them sharing testimonies of their undesirable turn of lives.

Martha Lincoln, a candidate who underwent a successful operation, expressed joy for gaining her sight again as she leaves from darkness to light.  ‘’I was in total darkness but now I can see. I want to say thank you to all the people who have come here to help us to see.’’ She noted with joy.

‘’Firstly, I tell the mighty God to thank you, I want say thanks to the government thanks; and I also want to tell the people who’ve come to work on our eyeball plenty thanks. We don’t get pay for them; only God will pay them,’’ Madam Lincoln concluded.

Testifying after the successful operation, Mr. Edward Zolowo noted that people most often abandon them much time due to their condition but now he is grateful for the freedom restored onto him by regaining his sight.

‘’Now I can see again, I was in darkness but thought this would not work again. Blindness my son is really bad it makes you look like a small child and ask people help in everything but today I am a happy man because I can see.’’ Edward Zolowo said.

The entire Cataract surgical operation continued simultaneously with both male, female including children most especially those with Cataract problems across Bong County.

The Cataract patients mostly adults came from across Bong County to be treated in Salala with lodging, food, and transportation all made availed by the Samaritan’s Purse.

However, declaring the outreach open was Dr. Joseph L. Kerkulah, National Eye Health Program Manager of the Ministry of Health. He used the occasion to express the Ministry and the Liberian government’s gratitude to Samaritan’s Purse and the New Sight Eye Center for always partnering with the Ministry in providing sight to Liberians from all walks of lives.

The National Eye Health Program Manager promised to continue with such gesture in the county following a huge turnout of patients for the surgical operation.

Dr. Kerkulah, meanwhile, called on health practitioners throughout the country to get involve or specialized in the area of eye health care; something he believes would be a gap in the future if not address.

‘’We want to again thank our partners—the Samaritan’s Purse and the New Sight Eye Center—for such an initiative in the Country; hence, we are grateful to all of them for providing sight to our people while we at the Ministry monitor and supervise the process,’’ he said.

Also, Speaking was Dr. Galakpai Kolubah, Assistant Health Sector Manager Dr. Galakpai Kolubah of Samaritan’s Purse. Dr. Kolubah said Samaritan’s Purse is on a mission in the country’s health sector to help the government and other partners improve the sector.

‘’On behalf of the Samaritan’s Purse, our Country Director, and Sector Manager, we say thank you so much for the support and effort. We want to make sure that those who have been operated on be able to go back home without someone helping them, do things by themselves, go on the farm by themselves and eat their food without assistance’’. He explained

Still at the official launch in Salala was Dr Robert Dolo, Founder and Executive Director of Cataract Surgeon at the New Sight Eye Center.

According to Dr. Dolo, the surgical outreach conducted in Bong County was a sight-restoring service to the people of Bong County, thus urging citizens to take advantage of the opportunity.

‘’ We are here purposely to remove cataracts and to restore sight. It is a sight-restoring service to the people of Boing County like we have done in other counties. Now we want you to take this opportunity and make maximum use of the opportunity and support eye care health in this country to reduce blindness in Liberia’’ he said during the opening.

Signed: __________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communication

           Ministry of Health, RL

Dr. Jallah Cautions Journalists To Be Proactive

Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has called on Liberian Journalists to be investigative and proactive with their respective reportage, especially when it comes to reporting on the Country’s health sector. “When reporting on health activities in our country, please make sure both sides of the story are balanced before reporting”, Dr. Jallah told scores of Journalists at a day long media training organized by the Liberia Media Initiative, recently.

As inaccurate beliefs pose a threat to any health sector and fake news represents a particularly egregious and direct avenue through which inaccurate beliefs have been propagated via some media outlets in the country, she believed reporting on the sector should always do their facts checking in order to avoid spewing out misinformation to the general public.

“Whenever you are reporting on activities of the Country’s health system, please make sure you get both sides of the story before reporting. Persistence of misinformation is not good for our health sector because when audience generates reasons in supporting the initial information, it would lead to them taking the wrong decision. So, let’s do our fact checking”, she averred.

The factors underlying effective messages to counter beliefs are based on misinformation. Reporting on the Country’s health sector, which is one of the major components of the country’s governance system, journalists reporting from here should do their facts checking before spewing it out to the general public, because misinformation about the sector can lead to poor decisions about consequential matters and is persistent and difficult to correct.

In lieu of the supra, the energetic Health Minister used the occasion to encouraged journalists to always reach out to individuals responsible when seeking information about the Ministry. “We want to encourage you to reach out to the Ministry anytime you want information. Our doors are opened; anytime you call us we will answer, including our counties health team offices, please contact them also for those information you need for the betterment of our country.

Meanwhile, providing clarity on the AstraZeneca COVAX Vaccines, Dr.  Jallah disclosed that the vaccines received by Liberia were produced in India instead of Oxford. The COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is one of the three pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, the initiative begun in April 2020 by the WHO, the European Commission, and the government of France as a respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

COVID-19 Vaccine Message From EPI Program Manager

As a public health response strategy, the Ministry of Health (MOH) wrote for both ethical and regulatory approvals through the National Research Ethics Board of Liberia (NREB) and the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) based on an official request by the Ministry of Health (MoH). They make sure that individuals who agree to take the vaccine are protected from the harmful effects of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19).  If you wish to find about more about the vaccination exercise in Liberia, please call Adolphus Trokon Clarke, Director, Expanded Programme on Immunization on +231777024582 / +231886560846.

Introduction

We are vaccinators and health workers, working with the Ministry of Health.

We are inviting you to take part in this vaccination response. We had a meeting with community leaders and members and told them about this vaccination exercise. You do not have to decide today about taking part. You can talk about it first with your friends, family, elders, or the vaccination team before reaching your decision. If you are pregnant and decide to be vaccinated, please consult with your physician.  If you do not wish to take part, even if your physician agrees, we will not vaccinate you. You can agree to receive the vaccine by signing your name or providing a thumbprint on the consent/assent form. We ask for your agreement but will also ask for the agreement of your physician. Additionally, if you are above 18 years and decided to receive the vaccine, please consult with your parent or guardian.  If you do not wish to take part, even if your parent agrees, we will not vaccinate you. You can agree to receive the vaccine by signing your name or providing a thumbprint on the consent/assent form. We ask for your agreement but will also ask for the agreement of your parent or guardian before you can take part. To help you to decide, first, we will explain what is involved. Please ask if you do not understand. If you have questions later, you can also contact us.

What is Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.  WHO first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China. The COVID-19 is the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. This is severe disease caused by a small organism which is not visible, called a virus. The community has likely already discussed this with you.

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

  • Loss of taste or smell,
  • Nasal congestion,
  • Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)
  • Sore throat,
  • Headache,
  • Muscle or joint pain,
  • Different types of skin rash,
  • Nausea or vomiting,
  • Diarrhea,
  • Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

  • Shortness of breath,
  • Loss of appetite,
  • Confusion,
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
  • High temperature (above 38 °C).

Other less common symptoms are:

  • Irritability,
  • Confusion,
  • Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),
  • Anxiety,
  • Depression,
  • Sleep disorders,
  • More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your health care provider, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic.

What is the purpose of this vaccine?

Many cases of coronavirus (covid-19) have been confirmed in Liberia. You have been approached for a vaccine because of the risk of contracting the disease, your residence, work, or other possible contacts with a confirmed case. This public health response uses four delivery strategies (Fixed, Temporary, Outreach, and Mobile) to vaccinate segment of the population in the following categories:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Elderly (60+)
  • People with underlining health conditions
  • Others (i.e., people would cannot physically or socially distance given the work or tasks being performed

The vaccine was tested in more than 10 000 persons in several countries in Europe, Africa and the United States and was found to be safe for use. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the vaccine is safe and that its benefits outweigh the risk.

What is the procedure for receiving vaccine?

A qualified vaccinator/health worker will speak with you to see if you meet the conditions to be vaccinated. Before the vaccination process, a psychosocial counselor will explain to you the important benefits associated with the vaccine and its side effects. At the vaccination visit, a clean needle and syringe will be used to give one dose of a vaccine into the upper part of your arm. After vaccination, we will observe you for 30 minutes for any problems. If you feel sick after the vaccination, please call the hotline number 4455 or you can call this number (0777024582) we will provide you with an on-call doctor available 24 hours. Because we are not completely sure that the vaccine will protect you from Ebola you must try to stay away from being infected with Ebola. So, do not do the following things: touching body fluids (blood, vomit, saliva, urine, and faeces), stay in direct physical contact with bodies of patients (dead or alive), touch the bedsheets, cloth, clothes, meal plates, or share bed and/or dishes of a sick person.

Can I choose not to take the vaccine?

Yes. The choice is yours.  Whether you choose to say “yes” or “no” is up to you and your rights will be respected. 

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccine is against COVID-19 and cannot cause COVID-19. However, some people that get the vaccine might already have been infected with COVID-19. They might develop signs of COVID-19 after they have been given the anti-COVID-19 vaccine.  For them the vaccine did not give protection.

What happen to people who get COVID-19?

Among those who develop symptoms, most (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. About 15% become seriously ill and require oxygen and 5% become critically ill and need intensive care. Complications leading to death may include respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolism, and/or multiorgan failure, including injury of the heart, liver, or kidneys. In rare situations, children can develop severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after infection.

How many people will be given this vaccine?

We currently hoping to vaccinate in phases about 52% of our total population so that we can achieve herd immunity. We will aim to vaccinate those persons to help prevent COVID-19, and then we will also aim to vaccinate everyone in the target group, to prevent further spread of the disease in addition to the current IPC measures. Anyone 18 years and above can be considered for vaccination.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?

Receiving the injection might hurt a little. You will feel a pinch with the needle. It can make your arm have slight muscle aches. It might also make you feel pain at the injection site, give you a little fever (mild high temperature of about 37.8⁰C), swelling, or bruising at the injection site. This should not last too long. You may have redness or bruising where you got the shot for a few days, and there is a very small chance of infection at that spot. You might not feel any of these things. Since this is still an investigational vaccine it may cause other changes that may hurt or bother you that we do not know about. People can have allergic reactions to vaccines, including hives, trouble breathing, or other allergic responses. This is very rare but is also a possible effect of these vaccines. There may be other side effects that may be severe or life-threatening. If you have a fever, doctors can test to see if you have COVID-19 or something else and give you treatment if needed. If you get a fever after receiving the vaccine, you should immediately contact the contact tracing and/or the telephone numbers provided.

NCHP Completes Validation Meeting In Buchannan

As the trumpet for the provision of quality health service delivery continue to be sounded in the Liberian health sector, stakeholders in the later inclusive of local and international partners have concluded another validation meeting to ensuring that a national document is validated.

The three-day meeting placed emphasis on Report of the National Community Health Assistant Program Comprehensive Desk Review, Report of the Community Health Promoter Pilot and adaptation of the World Health Organization New Guidelines for Optimizing CHWs program.

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.

Among other things, the review process is   aimed at strengthening the formulation and institutionalization of the Community Health Assistant program that will continue to provide basic quality primary healthcare services to nursing program and promote quality healthcare activities to people living within the reach of the nearest health facilities and urban communities across the country. 

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

Stakeholders in the health sector gathered from March 24 to 26, 2021 in Buchannan to review, deliberate and share their professional experiences on the program as it has been recommended by global health experts as the bedrock to achieving WHO objective of Universal Health Coverage for all.

Olasford Wiah, National Community Health Program Director at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said: “The past three days, we commenced reviewing these documents: Desk Review of the community health assistants program, the pilot reports of the community health promoter as well as to adopt officially as a Nation the WHO’s guideline on community health workers program

” So, over the last three days we have been deliberating among key stakeholders, and today we have finalized our work and it has been agreed by all of the stakeholders to use these tools as a referenced document into our policy review process that have begun.

“But, the more technical part will be starting in the coming weeks—this covers the entire community health service program.”

The WHO Guideline on health policy and system support to optimize community health workers program to assist national governments, and their partners, to improve the design, implementation, performance and evaluation of CHW programs, thereby contributing to the attainment of universal health coverage.

To meet this universal objective, community health workers are hired to serve as liaisons who will help mitigate health disparities, increase access to care, improve quality of care, and lower healthcare costs. They are nonclinical, nonmedical advisors and patient educators.

Referencing their impact on the sector over the past five years, Olasford Wiah said timely validation of the document is very important because the Ministry of Health is charged with the responsibility to provide quality healthcare to the population in Liberia; and as an extension and an integrated part   of the health system in the country, as such the validation and adoption of the program is key to universal health coverage.

In 2016, the Ministry of Health officially launched the National Community Health program immediately, following lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak that took thousands of lives in the Mano Region (Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia). To curve some of these emerging global health threats, various departments and agencies were setup.

Hence, the Community Health Program, according to Wiah, has yielded lots of tangibles results that have direct impact on the overall performance of the healthcare delivery system in Liberia. Reduction in malaria, pneumonia, maternal mortality rates, among few were references he made to the successful impacts of the program in the Country.

“And so, by reviewing what we have done over the last six years, lessons; what we have learned; what are the issues—challenges and what are the recommendations that we want to take forward in the next year to come is what important for the forward match of the design of the curriculum,” the NCHAP Director at the end of the meeting. “Our main objective of the program is to ensure that maternal death and mortality rates are reduced.

As per the report, numbers of active Community Health Assistants across the country is put at approximately 3,7800, while the number of Community Health Volunteers is little over 5000.

“Now, the community health Assistant are within community beyond 5killometer, meaning the most remote communities of our country. So they are positioned there to provide services to the community.

Assuring Partners In Health (PIH) commitment to buttressing government’s efforts in providing quality health service delivery and attaining WHO Universal Health Coverage guideline was Lassan Jabateh, PIH’s Director of Community Health.

“We are here as organization (PIH) to support the Ministry’s dream. We are excited today that the Ministry of Health having a plan and program across all the inhabitants in Liberia irrespective of tribal, age, religious, political affiliation or geographical location.

“Partners in Health has been working with the Ministry since the Ebola period during which the organization was involved to ensure that Ebola was eradicated from the country and onward; we have been supporting the Ministry to ensuring that we have a resilient healthcare system,” Jabateh disclosed.

Liberia has a community health program with focused mostly on people living outside 5 kilometers which arguably constitutes 29%of the population.

Whereas there has not been standardized community program within 5 kilometers—which constitutes 71% of the population.

The validation exercise when completed will placed Liberia on the mode of universal health coverage, making sure that everybody within the perimeter of Liberia has access to health care.

Joyce Kilikpo, Executive Director of Public Health Initiative Liberia, explaining importance of the document, she said: “These document as you may know Community Health is the bedrock of our healthcare system. If we are going to address leaving no one behind—ensuring equity in our health sector—it stands with how well planned and informed our community health program is.

“These documents are worked over time with clearly states what needs to be corrected, what are good we are doing to provide best practices.

“Community health program links community with the health sector—building trust and relationship and at the same time using people from within the community to build that link.”

Signed: ________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications, MOH, R.L.

105 Persons Regain Sights in Tappita

(March 15, 2021, Tappita City, Nimba)—The Liberian government through the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with New Sight Eye Center on March 13, 2021 concluded a free rural surgical Cataracts outreach at the Jackson F. Doe Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County.

The Project is the first of four outreaches in rural Liberia, and it is fully funded by Samaritan Purse while New Sight Eye Canter is serving as implementing partner.

A surgical team comprising four Liberian Surgeons headed by Liberia’s National Eye Health Program Manager Dr. Joseph L. Kerkula of Ministry of Health was dispatched from Monrovia March 1, 2021 for the twelve-day project.

The arrival of the team in Tappita at the Jackson F. Doe Regional Referral Hospital coincided with the visitation meeting with Dr. Benjamin Harris, President of the Liberia College of physician and Grant Manager of Lion Club Foundation.

During the brief meeting Dr. Joseph L. Kerkula used the occasion to thank both Samaritan Purse and the New Sight Eye Canter for their tremendous supports to the Liberia’s Health sector, noting that the project will serve as monument for the citizens in the region.

For his part, Dr. John Tamba, Acting Executive Chief Office of the Jackson F. Doe Regional Referral Hospital, lauded the efforts of SP and NSEC for the preferred of Jackson F. Doe Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita.

Dr. Joseph stated that move will serve as luminary scars on the minds and faces of the entire Nimba County.

The meeting which is considered to be an iconic and must celebrated beginning of Eye-surgery in the region, was attended by New Sight Eye Canter’s program Manager Madam N’Chung M. Eben and Madam Yassa Darwolo among others of Samaritan Purse.

However, Henry Wongbeh, a 63-year old man narrated that he got blind as the result of working extensively on his Cocoa farm in Yorpea Nimba mid of 2016.

He stated that his condition of blindness worsened weeks later after the incident occurred.

According to him, he believed he was made blind by some witch in the area because of his Cocoa plantation.

The 63 years old father of 8, grandpa of 6, noted that after the unfortunate incident begins using traditional medicines and in order to curb the situation.  

Mr.Wongbeh said due to his condition he abandoned all his farming activities and begins sitting home all along in the village when everyone else goes on the farm for 5-years.

Henry pointed out that his children consistent stealing of his Cocoa and his anxiousness to continue serving God prompted him to have gone for the surgery upon hearing the news on air.

‘’Getting my eyeball back my son is the wonder of God, ’’ Mr. Wongbeh said Liberian English.

He praised the project team and rained blessings on them for the sacrifices made by extending the outreach service to Nimba.

Bill Gbormia-25 years old: “Cataract is not prominent among young people meanly in their 20s. But Bill Gbormia’s case is extraordinarily mind-boggling.”

 Bill told the project’s media team that, the week of his unfortunate loss of his both parents in a tragic accident turned out to be the same week he lost his both sights to particles of cement bags he was lifting in late 2015.

Bill said during the time of his illness, his 3 siblings including 16 half brothers and sisters totalling 19 abandoned, neglected and outcaste him except for his senior brother he currently stays with.

Gbormia who comes from one of Liberia’s tribal groups Geo in Tappita, Nimba County, narrated that the painful condition and peer-bullied pushed him several times to attempt committing suicide.

He said taking his life would have been the best solution to his problem, but each time he attempted doing so God would intervened by speaking to him to stop.

The bilateral-cataract man Gbormia’s facial appearance, with his overgrown finger and toe nails, and recent rough hair and bear shaved, coupled with mushroom mole covering his teeth showed that Bill was actually living in total captivity and neglect.

25 years old Bill described the coming of the surgical team to Nimba as a miracle he has long awaited fasted and praised for.

Bill named his inability to identified colours, light, walk in and out of bed, even the food he used to eat among others as things he really wish he had eyes to see.

‘’I never use to see anything with my two eyes in the town (the village), people use to laugh at me, I was looking like fun box, the mean thing da used to make me cry is no woman wanted me’’. Bill told me in Liberian colloquial with an exciting smile on his face as we walked in the corridor of the hospital.

Gbormia asserted further that regaining his both sights is a lifelong joy and authentication of God’s existence and vowed to dedicate his life to the work of God.

‘’I going home to serve God find one fine girl, so I can start to born my children and make my farm’’ The 25 years said to me as we parted company during his discharge from the Hospital when his both eyes were restored .

Love Leeway-26 yrs old: “Born and raised in Butuo Nimba County May 8, 1995 is Love Leeway who had bilateral-cataract for 10-years.”

Love said she woke up one morning and noticed her both eyes began to itch and tears begin rolling down her cheeks, that’s when she noticed her eyes wouldn’t see no more.

Leeway said the incident occurred in Tappita where she had gone to stay with her mother’s friend, because her father died and her single mother couldn’t carter to the rest of all 7 siblings.

After the incident Love said her mother’s friend retuned her (Love) to her mom because her condition was worsening.

‘’I was in 4th grade, I have to drop from school because when I go to school anything the teachers them write on the blackboard I can’t see one’’. Love said in broken-Liberian English.

Love informed me that she has given birth 3-times and 2 of her children passed away and one is currently alive.

The 26 years old girl with tears rolling down her eyes and a faint light seems not to be penetrating her eye lenses narrated that, that two of the children’s father broke up with her and abandoned her along with one of the children, on the instruction of his mother due to her unbearable condition.

‘’His ma say he mum leave me, because I blind, I can’t  see and her son have to go Monrovia and go to school than to be behind  blind girl like me’’. Her voice began to hallo as she struggled expressing her pains in plain English for my understanding.

When asked how she was impregnated 3-times in roll, the 26-years woman said, due to her blindness men in the village took advantage of her situation and several times had unwanted sex withher when everyone had gone on the farm.

Something she said led to her loss of her virginity and her gettingpregnant several times.

‘’I used to cry every day, I used to be thinking that my life finish na and I have no reason to live’’. Love shackled as I managed to quench my petty for her (Love) by flipping the pages of my notebook.

she intoned that she never believed God ever existed but, regaining her 10-years of lost sights to bilateral cataracts shows that there exists a God that cares, and using Samaritan Purse to show his infinite love that has for people.

‘’The way I can see now, I going to serve God and go back to school.’’ Love said further as I concluded my interview with her after her multiple eye surgeries the next day. 

She used the medium to eulogized Samaritan Purse, New Sight Eye Center and the team of Liberian surgeons for their great and Monumental work and giving her back dignity and proud amongst people.

In conclusion, the project previously targeted ninety Cataracts surgeries but due to the team’s hard work and relentless commitment to the job, was able to performed 105 surgeries out of 1800 persons who were screened and pre-screened from March 2-13, 2021.

Signed: ________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications, MOH, R.L.

GoL, Partners Launch Nationwide Typhoid Vaccination Campaign

(Monrovia, Liberia, April 6, 2021)—Liberia’s government quest to ensuring the provision of quality health services to its citizens is something that continue to water across the nation as stakeholders simultaneously and intermittently engage the health with seriousness.

This endeavor and other strategic engagements in the sector are aimed at seeing Liberia reached Universal health benchmark set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and team at the Ministry of Health inclusive of partners are doing everything positively possible to meet such Global health goal and standard.

In supra, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Launched a Nationwide Conjugate Typhoid Vaccination Campaign in the country.

The launch of the typhoid immunization campaign which should have been held in February from the 24 to 28, 2021, throughout the Country witnessed several speeches from high profiled individuals representing government institutions as well as international partners.

Most of the speakers thanked the government and partners for making the drugs available to the Liberian populace, and at the same time called on stakeholders to take the lead in accepting and encouraging their respective constituencies to act similarly in order to medically save the state.

Also in remarks was Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah who explained the significance of the launch and joined speakers by calling on Liberians to adhere to all of the previous nationwide immunizations launched ahead of the typhoid vaccination.

Dr. Jallah said the move by the Ministry and its partner is part of government’s efforts to minimize the increasing waves of the Typhoid disease infection among Liberians. 

“We are calling on all of you people, the Liberian populace in general to take this and all other vaccinations across the country seriously, because this effort is meant to minimize diseases among all of us”, she encouraged participants during the launch.

In furtherance, the Liberian potential and passionate Health Minister officially declared the typhoid vaccination nationwide campaign launched, saying “the vaccine is save; free of charge, and it’s given by day and not at night. It’s also available for all children in the country.”

Dr. Jallah, however, used the occasion urging Liberian parents and residents to make their Children available to be vaccinated against Typhoid.

The vaccination campaign targets little over 1,91170 children between 9-months to 14-year old: “We are targeting little over 1,91170 children who will be vaccinated across the nation,” Adolphus Clarke, Program Manager, National Immunization, Ministry of Health, said in a remark during the launch held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship International on 9th street Sinkor.

The MOH energetic and strategic EPI Manager named Schools, major market places, health facilities, among others are venues earmarked by the Ministry of Health for the immunization.

He used the gathering to heap praises on the government of Liberia and partners in the health sector for the provision of the vaccine and their enormous contribution and support to the Ministry.

Prior to the launch, a thematic committee comprised of the EPI Division, Health Promotion Division, and Communication Unit of the Ministry as well as partners held series of media briefings, advocacy and community engagements, airing of simple typhoid messages.

To ensure that targeted children across the country are vaccinated, stakeholders including the Liberian Marketing Association, Crusaders for Peace, Medical and Dental Council, the Traditional Council of Liberia among other groupings were engaged to create massive awareness ahead of this official launch.

Signed: ___________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh, Director of Communication, MoH, RL

US Embassy Donates Medical Consignment To MOH

The Ministry of Health has received huge medical consignment from the government and people of the United States of America, through USAID Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance to boost Liberia’s COVID-19 testing at the Standard Testing Lab.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government of Liberia on Thursday, March 11, 2021, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said standing together side-by-side in time of pandemic is the best remedy in tackling any global pandemic.

“On behalf of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, our NPHIL boss Jane Macaulay and our entire Lab pillar, we want to say a big thank you; because maybe a lot of Liberians don’t know here in Liberia we have robots that can collect and analyze the simple before it goes into the testing machine,” Dr. Jallah disclosed.

In order to carryout rapid testing, according to her, the US government provided robots to the Liberian government, which is being used for testing in the country, saying “if you didn’t know that we have robots in Liberia, we have them here—so it is for the public knowledge.

These robots can do the work faster than human; hence, their testing is more accurate than human”.

Dr. Jallah, who expressed delight over the consignment, said the donation came at the time when the Ministry was running short of such materials; thereby, lauding the US Embassy for its timely intervention.

Earlier, while handing the consignment over to the Ministry, US
Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, said he was honored to represent the people of the United States of America who are willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Jallah, as she works so hard to provide service delivery in the health sector across the country.

“And as she struggles to battle this pandemic, we are very delighted and humble to be standing within her struggle, and we are delighted to step in with these testing equipment—and the beauty of these things is that it is more accurate.” Amb. McCarthy averred.

For her part, Ellen Munemo, USAID Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance Team Lead, said the consignment presented will be used in the laboratory for extracting out virus from affected persons.

“So what we just handed over is an automated extracted kids that can be used in the Lab of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) to extract the RNA material—a virus particle—which will then detect a fluid that a person is COVID-19 or not”, Munemo disclosed.

The monetary value of the consignment is put at one hundred-twenty thousand United States dollars (US$120,000.00).      

 Signed: _________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

          Director of Communication, MOH

GoL Unveils DNA Machine

The government of the republic Liberia on March 8, 2021 unveiled Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing Machine, which will bring relief to rape survivals and justice for sexual gender based violence victims. It is in fulfilment of promise made by the government through H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, to present a DNA testing machine to the people of Liberia to address issues of SGBV in the Country.

Unveiling the machine at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Liberia’s President, George Manneh Weah, said the measures to tackle rape or scourge was the acquisition of a ‘DNA testing machine which is now a reality today’.

“Today is a new beginning and it will begin our journey to revolutionize rape investigation in the Country”, said Liberia’s feminist in Chief, George Weah.

According to him the new technology will have a passionate impact on the way in which rape Cases are investigated in Liberia.

Speaking Monday at programs marking International Women’s Day, the Liberian leader used the occasion to urged health workers to handle the new equipment with care in order to provide the requisite health services to women and children of Liberia.

He said women are special, adorable, fantastic among others as such they deserve to be provided equal opportunity for self-empowerment and was also quick to encourage them to unite and be very strong for the common good of society.

President Weah addressing a cross session of women at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town promised the gathering as Liberia’s feminist in Chief that his government will exert every effort to directly address issues faced by women in the Country.

He said the provision of the DNA testing machine Monday came as a result of the 2020 conference on Sexual Gender Based Violence which also led to the establishment of the Anti SGBV task force.

The conference among other things highlighted the National Road Map on Rape and other forms of SGBV cases in Liberia.

Speaking on the National theme: Women in leadership breaking down barriers in the dispensation of the COVID-19 war, President George Weah said as a Country and people, he remains thankful to women for their resilience and commitment in their various tasks, duties as leaders to both public, private spaces and in their respective homes.

Dr. Weah acknowledged through his government that women continued to need more empowerment and it is his responsibility to institute, implement all measures and policies to promote such empowerment.

Meanwhile, the annual ceremony held globally on March 8, is among other necessities intended to celebrate women’s accomplishments as well as to be champions of change and inspiration for future generations.

Earlier, Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah lavished praises on President Weah for providing Women the space to serve in his government.

Dr. Jallah, who is consistently and cautiously fighting to contain the spread of this global pandemic, Coronavirus, through her altruistic leadership role since the outbreak of the virus, said she’s honored to have been selected amongst many across the country to serve as head of the Country’s health sector, mainly during these difficult times.

“It is an honored as a woman to be selected amongst many in our country to serve as the Minister of Minister. However, what we are now looking forward to seeing at the Ministry is to increase the number of women serving in key positions. Although we have few of them in some of these positions but an increase number at every level—including the counties’ levels—is our goal in seeking female compete with their male counterparts”, Dr. Jallah told the gathering when she took the podium to address issues on women’s empowerment and their challenges. The Minister then used the occasion to call on all Liberian to continually follow all preventive health measures mandated by the Ministry of Health, NPHIL and its partners, as they strive in doing everything possible in the fight against COVID-19