(Monrovia, Liberia, March 21, 2025) The Ministry of Health welcomed senior officials from the World Bank today for a high-level debrief on the progress and impact of the Institutional Foundations to Improve Services in Health (IFISH) project. The collaboration aims to strengthen healthcare outcomes through shared insights and future planning. The week-long visit, which started March 14-21, 2025, underscores the government’s commitment to transparent collaboration with international partners for healthcare service delivery and reforms. A team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), and a World Bank delegation made an on-site visit to the New Redemption Hospital in Montserrado County and other health facilities in Gbarpolu and Bomi counties. The delegation led by the World Bank had a midterm review of the IFISH project, and held several engagements with local and national stakeholders in the health sector.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning, Hon. Malayah Chieyoe, highlighted the government’s commitment on implementing the workplan of the various activities and projects that are supported by the World Bank. He also shared updates on the launch of the Health Security Program in the coming weeks. Furthermore, Hon. Chieyoe thanked the World Bank for their invaluable contributions to the health sector of Liberia and bid the delegation farewell.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), stressed the issues of procurement and timelines for implementation as well as leverages that can be adopted to facilitate timely implementation of the various activities and projects supported by the World Bank. Additionally, Dr. Nyan, made a call for the consideration of the One Health Platform, pointing out the need for additional support from both the Government of Liberia and the World Bank. “NPHIL stands to work with the World Bank and all other Government entities to ensure that public health initiatives are supported and implemented across the country”, he added.
Mr. Collins Chansa, Senior Economist of the World Bank-Liberia Office, extended praises to the Ministry of Health for the near completion and operationalization of the New Redemption Hospital, and the supervision and management of the Central Medical Store (CMS). “The progress achieved in terms of implementation under these projects and programs (IFISH Project, Performance-Based Financing (PBF) Program, Health Security Program, Community Health Program, Adolescent Health Program, Pandemic Fund, and Liberia Health Equity Fund) are testaments to the Ministry’s dedication and good governance.” Mr. Chansa stated. Mr. Nicolas Rosemberg, Senior Economist representing the World Bank-Washington DC Office, presented on the midterm review of the IFISH Project emphasizing the significance of strengthened collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) on achieving visibility and accessibility to local and national stakeholders.
He further stated that the IFISH project is in alignment with the Government’s ARREST Agenda giving it more pedals to continue its activities in the country. “There is a possibility of the extension of the IFISH project closing date which is scheduled to end in August 2026.” He stated.