As Liberia celebrates this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, the Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Madam Norwu G. Howard, has called on mothers, especially the young ones, to prioritize breastfeeding to help keep their babies happy and smart.

She said the lack of priority for breastfeeding, especially during the early age of a child, contributes to poor nutrition and reduces children’s ability. 

“We want mothers, especially the younger ones, to prioritize breastfeeding,” she said.

Hon. Howard made the statement over the weekend in Paynesville at a program marking the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week in Liberia.

According to her, breastfeeding remains important as breast milk helps keep babies healthy, smart, and strong. 

“The week is aimed at educating new mothers about the importance of breastfeeding,” she explained.

Min. Howard used the occasion to call on the legislative branch of the Liberian government to protect women’s rights and implement breastfeeding at the community level.

She disclosed that significant efforts have been made in recent years by the government of Liberia with support from its development partners to improve nutrition.

The Deputy Minister, then, praised WaterAid, ActionAid, the World Health Organization, IrishAid, and other local and international organizations for their continuous support to the Liberian government in the areas of nutrition and health.

Speaking at the event, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Amadou A. Sesay expressed his institution’s continuous commitment to the Liberian government.

He said UNICEF still remains committed to strengthening ties with the Liberian government to making sure that the targeted goals for health for the government are realized.

For her part, Teta Lincoln, Senior Advisor for Health and Nutrition at the Embassy of Ireland, said the embassy was pleased to celebrate the historic event along with the government.

She urged Liberians to do more to raise breastfeeding awareness, emphasizing that Ireland, as a partner, will continue to assist the government in the area of nutrition.

As for WaterAid Liberia Country Director, Chuchu Selma, noted that his organization was gratified to be a part of such an event.

Selma admonishes new mothers to always wash their hands before breastfeeding their children.

According to him, WaterAid has been providing support to the sector as a means of improving nutrition in the country.

“We are committed to assisting the government in promoting and improving the issue of nutrition in Liberia,” Selma said.

Also speaking, River Cess County District#2 Representative Byron Zahnwea, who is a member of the WASH Legislative Caucus, described breastfeeding as a key to every child’s health.

“We want to encourage each and every one of us that we need from our homes to preach the message of breastfeeding,” Rep. Zahnwea said.

The Director of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Annette Brimah-Davis, commended the Ministry and the development partners for their support for the nutritional division in improving breastfeeding and child growth.

“This Celebration is in line with the World Protocol of Breastfeeding that officially started on August 1—7.” Davis said.

Meanwhile, Sinoe County District #2 Representative, Samson Wiah, has urged the authorities at the Ministry of Health to make the issue of breastfeeding a part of its decentralization process.

Wiah encouraged the Health Ministry to reach areas in the rural parts of the country where health workers would be able to organize similar events.

The inaugural World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) was in August of 1992, with a focus on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is the organization behind WBW and was formed in 1991, the day after Valentine’s Day.

WABA collaborates with WHO and UNICEF, agreeing that breastfeeding is a human right of mothers and children.

Each year, WABA promotes a focus for World Breastfeeding Week, such as “The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, The First Hour, and Exclusive Breastfeeding.”

In 1989, WHO and UNICEF released a joint statement titled “Protecting, Promoting, and Supporting Breastfeeding.” 

This year, the week was observed under the theme: “Step Up for Breastfeeding, Educate and Support.”

Signed: Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

           MOH/ LR

At least 219 persons including elders, women, girls and children are said to be in total relief following a successful conduct of a free cataract surgery in Kolahun, Lofa County.

The five days free Cataract surgery was conducted by the New Sight Eye Center (NSEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) with support from the Samaritan’s Purse (SP).

The exercise follows a pre-screening process of 1,447 patients from five rural communities that include Foyah, Kolahun, Massambolahun, Kamatahun, and Bolahun all in Lofa County.

The mission according to the surgical team headed by Dr. Joseph L. Kerhula, National Eye Program Manager, at the Ministry of Health (MOH) started in 2019 with River Cess County. The 5 days exercise is also part of the team’s third surgical outreach program in Lofa County.

The free cataract surgery is said to have brought relief to too many people in the County who could not afford. Most of them who are visually impair were able to visit the surgical  site to seek solutions to their eye problem, while others have been moving from one place to another but could not get a solution.

At the end of the 5days surgery, Robert Dolo, CEO of the NSEC provided update. “This mission has been very challenging but we are grateful that we are working towards achieving our goal.” We started in 2019 with Samaritan’s Purse being the sponsor for this program. We have visited almost every part of the country except Bomi County,” he stated.

However, the surgical outreach team according to Dolo is expected to take its next outreach to Bomi County soon. The team goes into rural communities to basically screen patients with eyes problems and those that are blind from cataract.

During the free surgical outreach patients were provided surgical care service including health education, food and medication, glasses among other services. Dolo further disclosed that on the average the team has been able to screen over ten thousand (10,000) persons since the project started.

Those who were operated on were given a schedule for a follow-up to ensure that they get the necessary medical attention after their surgery. However, those who had complications according to Dolo with support from partners will be able to address their problems.

He also indicated that over the last four years the team was able to operate approximately two thousand persons. “We are glad that with the support of our partners we can do this for the people of Lofa.” Surgeons were also able to screened about three thousand persons from those five rural communities in Lofa. “We have been able to see people using country medicines (herbs) this has spoiled some of their eyes, so we provided health education to help them,” he. added.

Most of the cases they encountered during the surgical outreach in Lofa were cataracts and glaucoma as well. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a verve in the back of your eye called the Optic. Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph L. Kerkula, National Eye Program Manager, at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the presence of the cataracts surgical outreach team to rural communities in Lofa county means a lot, especially having such service to the disposal of the people. “The team was overwhelmed with the level of reception and turnout.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph L. Kerkula, National Eye Program Manager, at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the presence of the cataracts surgical outreach team to rural communities in Lofa county means a lot, especially having such service to the disposal of the people. “The team was overwhelmed with the level of reception and turnout.”

Dr. Kekula also stressed the importance of focusing on people who are visually impair, because they are more venerable in society. According to him, it is critical to have an eye clinic in Lofa County, “adding that this exercise should serve as a wakeup call for policy makers (Lawmakers) to support eye care services in Liberia.”

These people cannot leave from here to go as far as Monrovia for surgery looking at the economy challenged and therefore establishing an eye clinic in Kolahun and other areas will be a major achievement, “Dr. Kekula added.

Success Story

James B. Marwolo 66, and his son Thomas Marwolo 41, were amongst the 219 persons who benefited from the rural cataracts surgery in Kolahun Lofa County. Mr. Marwolo for over 5years could not support his family as a result of the cataract infections, an eye disease that is curable. It is also the leading cause of blindness in Liberia and if nothing is done to clear the cataract backlog there would be more people going blind. The surgeries conducted by the NSEC in partnership with the MOH with support from (SP) was as a result of citizen’s demand in the quest to restore their sight. 

Mr. Marwolo work as a (Nurse/disperser) at one of the clinics around Kolahun, for half a decade now he could not discharge his duty as a nurse due to the situation. But seeing the rural cataract surgical team’s presences in Kolahun was a dawning of a new day for him and his son (Thomas). Following a successful surgeries they expressed excitement and described the Samaritans’ Purse as a true representation of God. “We are so happy to regain our sight. This is like a dream for me and my Son, I am so grateful for this,” he said.

12years old Jeremiah A. Kollie, and 12years old Mobwie Joseph were also among four kids who went under a successful cataract surgery. Little Kollie is a 6grade student at the Fasavolu Public school. For more than 2years now Little Jeremiah Kollie has been finding it so difficult in school as a result of the cataract infection. “I couldn’t see clearly on the blackboard before, at times I used to beg my friends to write for me but today thank God,” he narrated.  

While Mobwie Joseph (Female) is a 2^nd grade student, she was excited when she told her mother, “Oh! Mama I can see clear now,” she told her mother.  Little Mobwie seem eager to learn, but due to cataract infections she could not continue. “I dropped from school for 2years every time I got to class tears rolls down my cheek.”

Signed: Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

           MOH/ LR

(June 29, 2022, Paynesville, Monrovia, Liberia)—as part of efforts to reduce maternal newborn health and increase child nutrition, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with its local and international partners on June 29, 2022 concluded a two-day national conference across the nation—the conference was held in each of the 15 political sub-division of the country.

During the conference, participants brainstormed and shared knowledge including challenges as well as reflected on issues, ranging from maternal newborn health and mortality to child health and nutrition services and the dynamics in the provision of quality healthcare delivery in Liberia.

For Montserrado County, the conference was held at the Paynesville Town Hall, from June 28 to 29, 2022, under the theme: “Invest in Maternal Newborn Health and Nutrition, To Reduce Maternal and Newborn Death in Liberia.”

Dr. Jallah during a brief remark, applauded the CHT and local leaders. “This conference is being held across the 15 Counties in Liberia. The entire indicator is multi-sectorial approach, nutrition, child health, pregnancy and all that stimulates health. “Exclusive breastfeeding remains critical, “said Minister Jallah.

She said every health professional has to be responsible in the discharged of their deities because health matters, stressing the need for everyone to go back in their various communities to promote health matters. Dr. Jallah use the occasion to commend the CHO and her team for the level of cooperation thus far.

Dr. Yatta S. Wapoe, County Health Officer of Montserrado County, who made opening remarks at the kickoff, told health workers that the objective of the conference was also aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality (MMR) as well reduce infant morbidity and mortality.

Giving statistics on various health facilities in Montserrado during the conference, Nancy T. Bonner, said the county has the population of approximately 1.4million and it has 374 health facilities. These facilities according to her, play a critical role in reducing maternal newborn health in the health sector.

And out of the number, 62 are public health facilities, while 312 are private owned facilities; of that number, 11 hospitals, while 28 health facilities as well as 335 clinics, as such she told Minister Jallah that the Ministry has lot to do in the county.  

Madam Bonner, however, clarified that Montserrado County has only 5 functional maternal waiting homes that are situated in rural Montserrado, specifically in Todde, St. Paul and Careysburg districts.

Notwithstanding, the conference was also meant to discuss the issues of reducing under 5 morbidity and mortality. According to Dr. Wapoe, the conference focused on promoting adolescent health and nutrition and to control reproductive tract infection and sexually transmitted infections.

At the end of the conference at least five (5) health workers were honored by the Montserrado County Health Team through the Ministry of Health for their service rendered over the years. The awards was however given according to categories, and these honorees include: Mrs. Debbie W. Kwashie, Best Performing Certified Midwifery (CM)-Argthington Clinic, Mary T. Kwiwalazu Best Performing Officer In Charge (OIC) Goba Town Clinic, Beatrice Boimah best performing Vaccinator- Duport Road Health Center, Emily Williams- best performing Community Health Assistant (CHA) – Careysburg, and Francis Cole Traditional Trained Midwifery (TTM) – Johnsonville Clinic.

The event, however, brought together the Montserrado County Health Team (MCHT), Community Health Assistant (CHA), and other health practitioners from Montserrado County.

Signed:______________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH/RL                    

(June 30, 2022 Monrovia, Liberia)—The Ministry of Health (MOH) has begun the validation of a 10-year policy document that aims to reduce infant mortality. 

The goal of the National Community Health Program (NCHP) is to enhance the delivery of quality community health program and to also reduce maternal, neonatal, infant, and adolescent mortality and morbidity in all communities and creating child-friendly communities through disease detection, prevention, and response.

The program is a coordinated, high-quality, government-managed community health care system aimed at contributing to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in which all households should have access to life-saving services and are empowered to mitigate potential public health risks in the community.

This process is intended to criticize the policy documents and make suggestions where necessary, as well as make recommendations for its finalization by the committee response. It further focuses on building consensus and getting stakeholders’ buy-in on the Community Health Program (CHP) policy, aligning the NCHP policy document and reviewing sticky points per thematic areas which will develop a justification for possible inclusion or exclusion in policy areas.

“This process has come a very long way over the last one-year plus, and  the Ministry had a lot of engagements with national, County, districts, and at community, levels to ensure that community health services are provided in a more equitable way in the communities thus improving health care services in Liberia,”

Olasford Wiah, Director of the NCHP.

Olasford Wiah, Director of the NCHP also told participants that going forward the Ministry wants to see different approaches when it comes to community health services across the country.

The policy documents are also intended to strengthen community structures through standardization of identification and orientation processes, which include: creating, training, equipping, incentivizing, supervising, deploying, digitally empowering, supporting, and motivating fit-for-purpose Community Health Workers (CHW).  

Wiah indicated that going forward the Ministry wants to see different approaches when it comes to community health. “For example, the issues of the human resource aspect of the Community health program.

What do we intend to do, and how do we intend to achieve that? The issue of supply chain commodities for community health workers: what are those policies we need to put in place for them to ensure that they do their work effectively and efficiently.”

Wiah, however, clarified that the intent of the validation is not to create something new in the policy documents but to build around what they already have.  “We have Community Health Assistants (CHA) who are carrying on their activities in rural communities and urban cities. We already have Community Health Volunteers (CHV); but these CHV roles are not in a clear direction as compared to CHA; therefore we want to standardize what these CHA’s are doing now so that we don’t have a loophole in the system, as we have been seeing in the urban settings.”

This, he believes, will help Liberia’s health system, adding that the Ministry wants to see one community health policy with two different approaches. “One of the approaches is that we are currently doing the work of the CHA’s in rural communities.  The second approach is to just standardize what the CHV’s in urban cities are doing to address the health needs of the community.”

He said: “We have learned lessons since the inception of this program in 2016. We want to keep the situations engaging as they come out in the health sector.”

Dr. Francis Keteh, Chief Medical Officer, (CMO) stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of the NCHP to show the development partners that Liberia is appreciative of all of the support over the years and is doing something better to improve the country’s health system.

Keteh sees this as essential to Liberia’s health sector and calls on the national legislature to allocate more funds in the budget to support the program. “We all have to work continuously with the program managers so that at the end of the day we can continue to maintain quality health care service not compromise, but also provide what is needed for us to move forward,” he added.

The ongoing validation process began from June 16 -18, and it brought together health technicians, County Superintendents from Grand Bassa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Margibi, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, Sinoe, River Cess, Lofa Gbapolu, and Bong Counties.

Signed:______________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH/RL                    

(June 1, 2022, RIA, Liberian)—583,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Liberia through the generous donation from the Government of Germany via the COVAX facility.

A global partner to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on June 1, 2022, delivered the vaccines to the Liberian Government through the Ministry.

The vaccines are geared towards enhancing quality health service delivery and boosting immunization across the country.

The Vaccines which arrived via the Roberts International Port on Wednesday Night include Covid-19 Johnson and Johnson, measles and BCG vaccines.

The measles vaccines come at a time the country is experiencing the outbreak of the disease while BCG which protects children against tuberculosis arrived following weeks of being out of stock.

At the arrival ceremony at the RIA, Liberian Minister of Health Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said the covid-19 vaccines donated to Liberia will help the country to reach its target of vaccinating seventy percent of its Population.

“We are happy that our local and international partners continue to cement commitment towards supporting the ongoing combat against the COVID-19 pandemic and diseases across the nation. We are happy that these vaccines have arrived in country to combat those deadly diseases in our country,” Dr. Jallah added.

She also called on parents to take advantage of the measles and BCG Vaccines that are currently in the country: “I want to use this occasion to call on all of our people, especially those who have not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic to get vaccinated. At the same time, I want to call on our baby mothers to take advantage of the Measles and BCG vaccines by taking the children to our various health facilities for vaccination”.

Speaking at the ceremony Deputy Head of the German Embassy Peter Speyrer said Germany believes that no one is safe unless everybody is safe, something which triggered his country’s donation to Liberia.

“We are only safe when everyone is safe. That’s why Germany follows a multilateral approach in fighting the pandemic, supporting initiatives such as ACT-A and COVAX”, said Peter Speyrer, Deputy Head of the German Embassy.

However, the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) along with its partners are being praised by WHO Regional Officer for Africa (WHO-AFRO) on the tremendous progress in reaching more people with Covid-19 vaccines and currently ranks 7 within the continent. To date, 2, 207, 249 persons have received covid-19 vaccines in Liberia. A total of 3,814,960 doses were received between the period of Mach 5, 2021 and June 1, 2022.

In response to ongoing measles outbreak, a total 103,038 children have been vaccinated between the ages of 9 – 35 months with measles containing vaccines (MCV) across fourteen counties excluding Margibi during phase one of the response intervention. Also, May 31, 2022, the country received 381, 400 doses of MCV in preparation of phase two slated for June 16 – 22, 2022 in all counties. Additionally, to address the issue of stock-out, the country received on June 1, 2022, a total of 110, 000 doses of BCG vaccines.

Signed_______________________

           Felecia Gbesioh            Director of communication, MOH/RL

(May 6, 2022, Paynesville City, Liberia)—In observance of World Malaria Day (WMD), held each year April 25, USAID Health Office Director, Madam Jessica Healey, said Liberia has made significant progress in the previous five years, eradicating malaria.

She spoke at the WMD in-door program held May 6, 2022, in Paynesville, at the City Hall, where she stressed, “malaria deaths have decreased by 67 percent, from 914 in 2007, to 300 in 2021, and [that] the number of confirmed cases has reduced by 15 percent, from over a million to around 900,000.”

Even though she said significant progress has been made in the last five-year, Madam Harley maintains “despite advances, malaria remains Liberia’s most serious public health problem and the leading cause of child fatalities.” 

The USAID Health Office Director said a number of people and caretakers with children do not seek care early when they fall sick, and do not consult the community health assistants, something she said is as a result of many people self-medicate with counterfeit and poor drugs, also failing to acquire mosquito nets during mass distribution programs.

For his part, C. Stanford Wesseh, Assistant Minister of Vital Statistics who represented the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah recommended that people use mosquito nets to avoid coming down with the killer disease, malaria.

He said, “it has been demonstrated to be cost effective, sleeping under a mosquito net, and [seeking] early medical attention [which] saves money.”

Mr. Wesseh pledged the Ministry’s commitment in ensuring those in hard-to-reach areas have access to mosquito nets and anti-malaria commodities at all facilities, particularly public health facilities, causing patients to seek medical attention and adequate care. 

“As we strive to end malaria we know that in an under-resource country it is very difficult but there are effective interventions that we all can implement to ensure that we end malaria,” he said.

Also, Dr. Moses Jeuronlon, World Health Organization malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV Program Officer said despite a slowed rate of progress in reducing malaria incidences and deaths, as well as the delays by COVID-19, Liberia is much further ahead than it was in 2000. However, he said,” we need to reignite that momentum and build on the recent advances.”

Held under the theme: ‘Advance Equality, Build Resilience, End Malaria”, the WMD began with outdoor festivities on April 25, 2022, supported by USAID Social Behavior Change activity, Breakthrough ACTION Liberia, and partners supporting the Ministry of Health, including: UNICEF, World Health Organization, Last Mile Health, Roll Back Malaria and Plan International.

These initiatives were held as a result of ensuring malaria is eradicated. It began with a month of enormous social mobilization efforts and interagency sports tournament, as well as talk shows on four radio stations, including ELBC, Truth FM, OK FM and ECOWAS.  

The event on May 6, 2022, culminated with a parade from the Ministry of Health premises in Oldest Congo, to the Paynesville City Hall where an indoor program was marked by speeches.

During the parade, officials from the Ministry of Health and partners chanted “Zero Malaria starts with me”.

Malaria according to the World Health Organization, is the greatest cause of disease and deaths in Liberia, accounting for 46.9% of hospital outpatients in 2020. The condition is especially likely to affect children and pregnant women, prompting much attention around malaria interventions.

Signed: _____________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications

(May 12, 2022, Congo Town, Liberia)—Health workers across the Country were seen pouring fond words on former Health Minister Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale, who died at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center following a protracted period of illness.

The health workers said the late Dr. Gwenigale would forever be remembered for his incredible contribution to a health reform process that positioned the country’s system among the best in the Sub-region.

The health workers made the remarks Thursday, May 12, 2022, when an array of local and international partners as well as staff of the Ministry received the body of the late Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale at the Ministry’s compound in Congo Town.

At the emotionally charged ceremony, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Hon. Norwu G. Howard, who paid tributes on behalf of the Ministry, prayed and asked God Almighty to embrace the fallen Minister with tender love and grant him eternal life saying, “In your hands, oh Lord, we humbly entrust our father Dr. G”.

Minister Howard said the late Dr. Gwenigale served like a father to her when her late father was killed during the Liberian civil war: “Dr. G, you will forever remain in our hearts for the care you showed after the death of our late father”.

However, Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale, who was affectionally called “Dr. G”, was a national icon, an experienced teacher, a wonderful mentor, recognized surgeon, a supportive health czar, a distinguished public servant, a pillar of integrity, a committed and dedicated public health physician.

Still, many health workers couldn’t hold back their emotions for his immense legacy as former Minister of Health and one of the longest serving cabinet ministers of the Republic of Liberia.

“There was no one better to lead the Ministry and rebuild the health sector following the Liberian civil crisis. He always worked with the best interest of the country in mind, and the health system he shaped continue to reflect the values he championed,” Dr. Peter Coleman, former Minister of Health asserted.

“Many have spoken about his championship but for us from the county health services, we are committing this little amount as contribution to his foundation”, Dr. Yatta Wapoe, County Health Officer of Montserrado County, committed on behalf of her colleagues who were in attendance.

“Man of integrity, honesty and sense of humor, I learned several things from you”, S. Tornorlah Varplah, heaped eulogy.

“I can record, Man of Integrity, when you asked me to come back home to server our country. I had no other option but to leave my WHO’s job and come back home to serve,” FARA Manager, Mrs. Louise Thomas Marpleh, remarked.

As Minister, Dr. G was a committed advocate for Liberians and indeed all Africans. He served as a member of the World Health Organization’s Executive Board, and during that tenure, he led the movement for the Director General to be an African. He was committed to equity, and fought to ensure that the institution’s leadership reflected the geographic and economic diversity of the constituent regions. His passion and strategic advocacy contributed to the improved representation we see today. He contributed to a number of transformative initiatives, most notably serving as a Board member for the Roll Back Malaria campaign.

At home, he was a visionary leader with ambitious goals for the country. He would often say that “if you do not know where you are going, anybody can carry you anywhere”. With this guiding philosophy, he led the development of the first post war National Health Policy and Plan, as well as the Basic Package of Health Services. This was the first time that Liberia had a comprehensive, documented roadmap for the provision of health services.

Giving all of these initiatives undertaken and his mentorship even his immediate Deputies wouldn’t hold back their tears: “Dr. G was a man of integrity; he made me to know that you don’t have to follow the political trend to keep your job. The reason while people build systems is to live after them.

“Dr. G helped to build the financial management system at this Ministry. He made me to know that people can set you up if you don’t have a good system setup. He gave people the opportunity and chance to work freely; he was always instrumental to training health workers and other staff.

“I want this to be a lesson to all here, and I think it can carry his vision, he helped to build the financial—which is a system that we all have confident in, and that along made me to be bold; because when I was leading as the Minister here, I was not afraid to tell people to come and audit us.

“People need to know this at all times that audit is a system strengthening activity because fraud is a bad product, and so when an audit is done, the auditors give you recommendations to help you strengthen the system; when there is fraud you, take appropriate actions. And that’s how people fight corruption, and this was what Dr. G stood for throughout his life”, Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, former Minister of Health expressed.  

 “Dr. G Fought a good fight, and he played his part and his departure has come. He was not afraid to help built Liberia’s health system, to a point that he ensured the right staff do the right job.

“I am told that he was a team player and so whenever he’s invited to the capital building to speak on the Ministry of Health’s matter, he carred along with his three principle deputy ministers; so that when questions are asked on administration you are responsible, when questions are asked on policy and planning the next person in line will be able to answer—he did not behave like he knew all.

“Dr. G has fought a good fight, and he has finished his battle. What does it mean to fight a goof fight? The word fight means to content in battle thereby putting forth a determine efforts.

“It is important to note that every one of us here are fighting some battles, we are fighting battle to succeed, make progress in life we are fighting a battle to get ahead and it is unfortunate however, that the kind of battle we are fighting is being divided into two, a “bad fight and a good fight” Paul said

“There are lot of us that are fighting, a bad fight is the one that you fight that leads to someone’s’ death,Rev. Ernest Wesseh Davis Remarks said while delivering a sermon. 

Following the grief-laden ceremony at the Ministry, where throngs of local and international partners, including Last Mile Health (LMH), Partners In Health (PIH), DFID, USAID, UN Bodies, World Bank (WB) European Union (EU) US CDC and Irish Aid; Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS), Pharmacy Board, Liberia Board of Nursing and Midwifery (LBNM) & Liberian Medical Dental Council (LMDC) congregated, the body of the fallen Minister was taken to the St Peter Lutheran Church, 13^th Sinkor, Monrovia, for celebration of his life service.

Signed: _________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

(May 5, 2022, 14st Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia)—a team of Health experts from the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Washington DC, and the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) has concluded a two-day stakeholders meeting in Monrovia.

The meeting concluded by developing a strategic plan for strengthening the emergency and critical care systems in Liberia. It also looked at implementation plan for the highest priority actions, proposed training in WHO’s Basic Emergency Care course, and explored the possible launch of GETI in Liberia, from May to September of this year.

The assessment is being developed by the WHO and its partners to help low middle income country to have a complete situation analysis of their emergency health care system and how to improve upon it.

This came into being when Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, thought it wise to engage WHO headquarters in Washington DC and asked for assistance.

“With the fast moving pace of modernization and development, Liberia will need a system in place to address the disadvantages that could follow. The construction and expansion of new roads from Monrovia to Nimba, the ongoing RIA highway, the rise in commercial motorcycles and many more, we need adequate ambulances and emergency departments manned by skilled practitioners for proper pre-hospital and in-hospital care.

“on behalf of the President and as Minister of Health do assure you and team Liberia’s fullest corporation to strengthening basic emergency care services throughout the length and breadth of Liberia”, Dr. Jallah expressed during the opening.

Prior to the two days meeting, the team along with the Ministry of Health conducted an assignment tour of major health facilities in Montserrado and Bong Counties.

However, the tour of these health facilities was aimed at strengthening and understanding how the available system works and what can be done to better improve it.

The tour kickoff on May 2, 2022 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) in Monrovia with a brief PowerPoint presentation of what the team intend to do through the Ministry of Health (MOH) at various referrer hospitals.

This assignment dugout the basis and analysis of where Liberia stands as a country in terms of its emergency health care services and as well provide a strategic planning process and to find a way forward.

At the JFK Medical Center, the team met with doctors from their different departments including medical students who witnessed the presentation from WHO.

The speaking during the tour at the JFKMC ground round, Dr. Jerry Yekeh Browne lauded the team for their visit and see it as a great boost to the health sector of Liberia. “They are here to do an assessment and at the end of the day, they will train health workers at referral hospitals, so that they can be more proactive in providing emergency health care services to patients,” said Dr. Browne.  

According to him, the assignment also looked at what various health centers have in place in terms of emergency care services and then critique it as well as make some recommendations to the Ministry for better improvement of the system. Dr. Browne said the team also want to ensure that the available emergency tools are up to standard.

Dr. Browne: “I hope the training of our health care workers will improve on their ability as they build on the existing knowledge and skills. We also hope to have our ambulances well equipped to appropriately transport patients from the various communities to the referral hospital.”  

Meanwhile, Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Chief Executive Officer of Phebe Hospital in Bong County, appreciated the team for coming to Liberia. “We think your coming here today is timely because we had been wishing for this so long.”

He outlined the lack of ambulances to response promptly to emergency cases something he said has resulted to the death of many.  He also named the lack of electricity to supply proper pipe boil water to important areas.

“We don’t have good system put in place here, to even transport patients from accident scene to the referrer hospital is a challenge as a results most of them die. If you look at the death almost 25% of death that occurs comes from our ER situation,” Dr. Sibley disclosed.

However, the two-day ongoing stakeholder meeting brought together health workers from various health facilities in Monrovia.

Finally, Ass. Minister George Jacobs declaring the gathering close, thanked the team from WHO for always remembering Liberia. On behalf of the Minister of Health, he committed the Ministry’s support in working with every document adopted during the gathering.

Signed: _________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communications

(May 2, 2022, Congo Town, Liberia)—A team of medical practitioners from the American Cancer Society based in the United States of America has paid a courtesy to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah. The team headed by its Vice President for Global Cancer Treatment, Dr. Meg O’Brien, briefed the Minister on the Society’s desire to work with the Ministry of Health to train health workers in morphine.

 The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Our Global Headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia, and we have regional and local offices throughout the country to ensure we have presence in every community.

Dr. Jallah expressed delight over the society’s desire to reach out to the Ministry, and at the same commits the Ministry’s willingness to work with the American organization for the common good of both countries.  

Signed: _______________________________________

              Felecia Gbesioh

              Director of Communications, MOH/RL