(Monrovia, Liberia, April 15, 2025)— Today, a decision emerged from the third quarter meeting of the National Steering Committee of the Family Health Unit aimed at intensifying efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in Montserrado County. The meeting focused on the launch of a pilot project in Montserrado designed to accelerate progress in combating preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. The pilot program seeks to address systemic challenges in healthcare delivery, including limited access to quality maternal services, inadequate infrastructure, and a persistent shortage of trained healthcare professionals.

Speaking at the session, Dr. Nowiah Gorpudolo-Dennis, Director of the Family Health Unit, stressed the urgency of the situation. “We must prioritize counties like Montserrado and Nimba, where mortality rates remain unacceptably high,” she stated. “Our approach will be to uphold the highest standards in health facilities through consistent monitoring and spot-checks.”

Dr. Dennis further announced that the pilot program will include unannounced inspections of maternal health centers in Montserrado County as part of a broader accountability framework. Stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the pressing need for health system reforms and reaffirmed their collective commitment to implementing effective, evidence-based interventions. Discussions underlined the importance of strengthening referral systems, increasing public awareness, and ensuring that both public and private health facilities are adequately equipped to deliver safe, high-quality maternal and neonatal care. The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision to position Montserrado County as a demonstration site, with the goal of expanding successful strategies nationwide.

“If we get it right here, we can replicate the model across Liberia,” Dr. Dennis affirmed. “This initiative marks a critical step in our national effort to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths once and for all.”