(February 14, 2022, Monrovia, Liberia)—the government of Liberia and the government of the United States of America have signed a government-to-government partnership agreement to improve the Liberian health sector over the next five years.

Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah signed on behalf of Liberia, while Ms. Dana Banks, Special Assistant to US President Joe Biden and Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council, signed on behalf of America.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Monday, February 14, 2022, Liberian Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the government and people of the United States for their continuous support to the health sector as well as the Ministry of Health and Liberia as a whole.

“We recount your support to the Ministry of Health through the government-to-government agreement”, she noted. “This is one of the first countries to have a government-to-government agreement called FARA, which supports public health interventions in eight (8) counties (Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Nimba, River Gee, Margibi, Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties) in line with the national health agenda and overall USAID support to the government and people of Liberia”.

After more than ten (10) years of this partnership, the government-to-government partnership agreement has worked in line with its tenant.

The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health has been able to demonstrate improvement in the health outcomes of the nation. There have been several measures instituted including a robust financial management system that shows accountability and improvement in key indicators of the national and international consents.

“Honorable Banks, as our joint review has always demonstrated accountability and value for money, we hereby commit to both governments our outmost technical and fiduciary management for resources entrusted into our care”, Dr. Jallah committed.

This US$55 million, which represent third government-to-government cycle—a support to the health sector—will go a long way to improve health service outcomes and strengthen system at national levels in the framework of the national decentralization agenda on health.

According to Dr. Jallah this third cycles is as a result of positive health outcomes achieved from the first and second circles.

Meanwhile, the US head of delegation to the Bicentennial celebration of Liberia, Honorable Dana Banks said the agreement signed demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening health, combating malaria; advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights; maternal, neonatal, and child health; and accelerating efforts towards universal health coverage.

The Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA) activity with the Ministry in eight counties including Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Nimba, River Gee, Lofa Margibi and Grand Gedeh counties, provides support to the MOH in the implementation of its 10 year National Health Policy and Plan. Under this agreement, USAID reimburses the Government of Liberia (GOL) for the cost of implementing the Essential Package of Health Services in three counties covering a population of roughly over 1.4 million Liberians.

The implementation of the agreement will focus on key areas that will stimulate Government of Liberia health systems and improve maternal, newborn and child health, family planning and reproductive health, and malaria; service delivery; and improve the quality of health services at the point of health care

Signed: ____________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

             Director of Communication, MOH 

(February 2, 2022, Paynesville, Liberia)—the Ministry of Health (MOH), through the Montserrado County Health Team, on February 2, 2022, received a donation of assorted medical supplies from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The donated supplies, consisting of buckets for handwashing stations, liquid soap, hand sanitizers, liquid bleach and posters for promotion.

The US$5,500.00 donation was made at the head office of the Montserrado County Health Team in the City of Paynesville.

Those Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials will be mainly used at health facilities in Montserrado County to strengthen COVID-19 response and routine health services, according to Nakata Yoshimi, JICA’s Deputy Head of Office in Liberia.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Ministry of Health was Dr. Yatta Sackie-Wapoe, County Health Officer (CHO) of Montserrado County Health Team, who lavished praises on JICA for continuously contributing to the Country’s health sector, Montserrado county in particular.

 “On behalf of the Montserrado County Team, yea Liberia, we like to appreciate JICA for all what you have done for the people of Montserrado and Liberia. Your support cannot be overemphasized. This has significantly helped us, especially to improve IPC situation in our different facilities,” Dr. Wapoe remarked.

The Montserrado County Health Team’s head used the occasion to assure their commitment to use the donated items for its intended purpose.

However, the donation is part of the technical cooperation project between the Ministry of Health and JICA. The Technical Cooperation “Project for Management Capacity Development for Improvement of Health Services in Montserrado County’’ aimed to strengthen management capacity of the Montserrado County Health Team, so that health service delivery, especially Maternal and Child Health care, is improved.

Accordingly, it is a three-year project, being implemented until September 2024. Under the project agreement, JICA is expected to closely work with the Montserrado county Health Team to enhance its staff management capacity through the following activities:  to conduct managerial training for MCHT staff on planning, monitoring & evaluation, provision of technical support in developing an annual operational plan, and  conducting performance review and report;; to enhance capacity of project management and to support the development and implementation of mini projects through a step-by- procedures; to strengthen health facility management; and to conduct learning and sharing activities on learning experiences and good practices.

Since 2012, JICA has been supporting MCHT and working together to improve basic functions of the county health team. It started this new technical cooperation in 2019, to address the need of improving maternal and child health services at local public hospitals, health centers and clinics.

Signed: ____________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

             Director of Communication, MOH/RL

(Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia, December 10, 2021) As part of partnership with the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Health for the provision of quality healthcare Services delivery in Liberia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made delivery of assorted medical supplies to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Congo Town

The mix medical supplies included 5pks (150 test kits) of Syphills kits, 4pks of Sypills Screen Confirm and Assay, 3pks of contact activated lancet, 10,285 cans (2,077,000 tablets), 14 kits of Cholera Investigation complete kit, 1 kit of Cholera laboratory kit, 200 pcs of Absolute alcohol (ethanol), 2,124 pcs of chloride and 1 pc of chlorine.

Other items donated are: 15,000 kits of COVID-19 AG Test kit 20 boxes X 30 pks X 25 kits, 6 pcs of Gene Xpress 6 color module, 120pks of Xpert Xpress SARS-COV2   4boxes X 30pks, 11kits of Nuclic Extraction kit, 10pks of Disposable Virus sampling kit (100 set), 55pcs of DNA Detection kit, 4kits QlAamp virus RNA Mini kits (250), 64pcs of Oxygen regulator, 1pc of Lenovo thinkpad laptop, among other things.

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic last year, WHO has made earlier donation of PPEs and other essential medical supplies to the Ministry in order to further heighten fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic and other diseases.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah acknowledged the numerous contributions made by WHO, describing it as a milestone in the Country’s health sector.

“We appreciated the last gift you sent to us and it was to continue the fight against COVID-19. We are happy that you are able to provide all of these other materials to us. Everything that have been received here today will be used for its intended purpose—to protect the healthcare workers and to fight this virus,” she said during the donation.

Presenting the donation was WHO Country Representative to Liberia, Dr. Peter Clement: “this is actually meant to increase drugs and other medical supplies at various health facilities across the country.”

He used the occasion to reassured WHO’s commitment to the Liberian government for the provision of quality healthcare to all.

Signed: ________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh

           Director of Communication, MOH   

A conglomeration of health practitioners from the Ministry of Health including a representative from Partner In Health has returned from Sierra Leone, following their intervention into the catastrophic injuries of several persons, who were involved into explosion of gas tanker.

Earlier, on Friday, November 12, 2021, a team of Health Practitioners from the Ministry departed the country to buttress doctors and nurses of Sierra Leone’s efforts amid an explosion of gas tanker, where nearly 115 people lost their lives and several persons injured.

The explosion is believed to have happened at a junction outside the busy Choithram Supermarket in the densely populated Wellington suburb in the east of the city, last month.

Sierra Leone National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said the vehicles collided when the tanker was entering a nearby filling station to discharge its fuel.

However, given the situation, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health (MOH) dispatched a team of health practitioners who— upon arrival—provided basic healthcare interventions including mentorship for Community Health Workers (CHWs) on identification of infected wounds, discovering of  patients for prompt referral, and development policy and guidelines on burn management, Infection Prevention Control  (IPC), and Antimicrobia.

“We were joined by other colleagues from around the world, including Italy, Senegal, Germany, France, the United States; WHO, CDC, etc. to help the people and government of Sierra Leone,” Patience C. Tokpah explained to Health Hour, a health program presented by the Ministry’s Communication Unit on ELBC.

Several victims who were injured have recovered as a result of mechanisms instituted by the Liberian team: “Firstly, I am proud to represent my country. Most importantly, the team from Liberia did extremely well because of the level of seriousness and our methods of mitigation used to treat those patients. We were able to provide mentorship with the different mechanism we took along. This approach helped patients recovered.

However, the Liberian professionals also helped to train their Sierra Leone counterparts in case and disaster management: “We couldn’t keep the ideas onto us, so we were able to train some health workers who were well prepared to take over from us”.

Prior to the departure of the Liberia’s team, a Mano River Union Regional health organization was established for the sole purpose of enhancing efforts in the fight against disaster in the region, and regional IPC Protocols were developed.

Madam Diana Sarteh, Team Lead and Deputy Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer; Dr. Sterman Touissant, Co-Lead, a Surgeon and Clinical Director of Partners In Health; Amos B. Richards, PA; Kathy Gray, RN; Linda Parker, RN; Patience Cooper Tokpah, Deputy Director for County Health Services; Veraus B. Topor, RN; Elizabeth Tamba, RN; Geimeh G. Konneh, PA; Finda Kotio, RN; and Josephine Kermon, RN; were those part of the rescued mission to Sierra Leone.

Signed: ____________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH/RL

(December 3, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)—a Ghanaian Company, Africa Health Supplies Limited (AHS), has made a donation of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health to buttress national government’s effort in the areas of neonatal care service delivery.

The donation was made at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town on Friday, December 3, 2021.

AHS is the representative of Medical Technology Transfer Services (MTTS), in Ghana and the African sub-region head quartered in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The equipment donated are: Firefly phototherapy equipment, a lightmeter, and colibri phototherapy equipment. Firefly Phototherapy is a double-sided phototherapy device designed to treat neonatal jaundice, while Colibri phototherapy is a LED Phototherapy device for effective treatment of neonatal jaundice.

However, receiving the items on behalf of the Government of Liberia, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah acknowledged that the Ministry has envisioned to setup Neonatal Centers in all public health facilities across the country, but due to some financial constrain, the vision is yet to be realized.

“One of the things the Ministry and its partners have tried to do is to set up neonatal centers in all of our health facilities across the nation. We have an idea of what is needed and I think this collaboration can take us closer toward reducing neonatal mortality in the country.” Dr. Jallah remarked.

“We have to make the investment in this collaboration because we also need the proper equipment to make sure that it works; thereby an ongoing training after which participants would be requested to those neonatal centers in the various facilities because they cannot work without the opening of these centers.”

She, at the same time, lauded the Company for remembering Liberia amidst a global health crisis.

Earlier, while hand delivering the items over to the Ministry, the Chief Executive Officer of African Health Supplies, Mr. Albert Ankrah, underscored the importance for the prioritization of equipment if the health system is to function properly. Mr. George Fabio Collins, Country Manager for AHS indicated the company’s desire to also set up a medical assembling facility, akin to that of AHS in Ghana to support government effort at combating neonatal jaundice in Liberia.

“The Health System needs to function properly which is something that we must prioritize and we are doing”, Mr. Ankrah expressed.

In closing, he vowed to strengthen partnership and heighten cooperation with commitment to continuously contribute the country health sector for the provision of quality healthcare service delivery for all.

During the donation, the Minister was accompanied by Madam Christine Brooks-Jarrett, Policy Adviser to the Minister and other staff of the Ministry.

Signed:____________________________

Felecia Gbesioh

Director of Communications, MOH/RL

(November 30, 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)—the Ministry of Health (MOH) through its Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDIs) Division has begun a five-day intensive capacity training for doctors, nurses and midwives in Cervical and breast Cancer screening and management in Monrovia, under the Theme: “Early Detection and Prompt Management of Cervical and Breast Cancers Save Lives”.

The training, which started on Friday, November 26, 2021, is being funded and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), and aimed at eliminating cervical cancer world, with Liberia being of no exception.

Cervical Cancer is a cancer that’s fund anywhere in the cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and womb (uterus). It’s part of the reproductive system and is sometimes called the ‘Neck of the Womb’. Studies show that nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

However, predominantly, the trainees were selected from two of the fifteen political divisions of the country, where the ministry has envisioned to setup screening and treatment centers before moving to other regions or parts of the country.

“The national Cancer policy has series of activities… Now, we are beginning firstly with Montserrado and Bong counties. In the next years ahead, we are contemplating on increasing the numbers of counties, so our people can get the needed and deserved health services”, Mrs Florence Yahnquee-Kiatamba, National Cancer Palliative Care Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, making remarks at the opening of the training.

Meanwhile, in an effort to prepare participants of the training, Mrs Kiatamba praised World Health Organization for hiring a health consultant, who developed a comprehensive Cervical Cancer module for them (Doctors, Nurses, and Midwives), which will serve as a guide to their works.

“You know sometimes in 2020, there was launch of a strategy to eliminate Cervical cancer by the World Health Organization. Other countries have started working in progress to see how best they can follow the WHO’s guide in eliminating Cervical Cancer; and since then Liberia dis sign to that commitment, but we have not been fortunate due to some financial constrain to start our own process in our country. So, the ministry has been working with WHO, seeking funding to establish a screening center in Liberia. And, this one of the criteria before you can do the screening center: to develop a module for the Country”, She explained.

Hence, upon completion of the capacity building, Cervical and breast cancer problems encountering female during pregnancy and child birth are expected to be eliminated.

“This will help our people who face these cancer problem, because we will have trained health workers who help will patients in treating the sickness”, Dr. Sopousassi V. Nicholas King, Developer of the National Cervical Cancer Module. “The module help deepened workers’ knowledge Cervical Cancer and at the same time provide clearer analyses on the drawbacks, challenges, and causes of the sickness.

For his part, Dr. Anthony Tucker, Program Director, NCDs Division at the Ministry of Health believed there are proven health interventions that can address NCDIs: “The interventions selections are based on potential health impact, cost-effectiveness, financial risk protection, and priority for the “worst-off”; We can prevent early deaths from NCDIs with the implementation of proposed interventions,”. 

“I am actually proud of this interventions that will see some of the health facilities in those two selected counties to screen patients suffering from Cervical and breast cancer”, Dr. Tucker.

He at the same time, on behalf Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, lauded WHO as well as participants for making the training a success and called for collaborative front to

Signed: _________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh             Director of Communications, MOH

(November 13, 2021, Buchanan, Grand Bassa)—County Health Offices as well as officials of the Ministry of Health, partners and stakeholders have concluded a three-long-day “County Level COVID-19 After Action Review Meetings”. The meeting focused on specific areas of needed action plans and scenario mechanism measures for future improvement and way forward for the provision of quality health services delivery. This enabled participants, who were predominantly health, to share hybrid experiences on COVID-19 response, patients’ management during emergency; burial of COVID-19 victim, amongst other things.

Several Participants in separated remarks asserted that the COVID-19 vaccination drive was very instrumental as they engaged the public through taken door-to-door and asked local leaders having low inoculation to adopt innovative ways to boost the campaign. They made remarks at a meeting, held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

Sharing further, they said special emphasis was placed on taking message of religious leaders spreading awareness and encouraging the vaccination drive to the people.

At the closed of the meeting, Mr. Abraham Nyenswah, Pillar Lead for Coordination of the Incident Management System,  at the Ministry of Health lauded participants for sharing their thoughts on experiences gained since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus pandemic early last year.

Signed: _____________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH/RL

(Tuesday, November 9, 2021, Congo Town, Liberia)—the Ministry of Health and partners on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, rollout a two-year Private Sector Engagement Strategy, which is designed to structure engagement between the Ministry of Health and the private health sector. It seeks to strengthen the private sector’s contribution to achieve the nation’s health goals.

Even though engagement between the Ministry of Health and the private health sector has a long history, this strategy aims to structure collaboration and dialogue between the two parties to achieve common long-term objectives. It was drafted through series of consultations with stakeholders from across the Ministry of Health and within the private health sector. It also includes areas of collaboration identified as those of mutual interest to both sectors.

Serving as chief launcher of the strategy, Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah outlined significant progress being made by the ministry under her watch relative to annexing smooth collaboration and coordination between both sectors.

“It is important we have this collaboration because the private sector is a major contributor to what’s happening in the government sector. If you don’t have a well-organized private sector, thing will be going but it’s will be going …”, Dr. Jallah asserted.

The private health sector has grown form 2 percent to 8 percent of total health expenditure over the 2015-2018 period. This shows that private health facilities in Liberia represent 37 percent of the national healthcare market and this representation increases to 80 percent in urban areas. The level of penetration of the private sector varies greatly by county, with most of the private health sector situated in Montserrado county. Any effective and sustained effort to leverage the private sector resents an opportunity for enhance access to quality services, particularly in urban areas where most of the private sector operates.

However, espousing on access to and choice of health services in which the Ministry should play a leadership role, the keynote of speaker of the day, Dr. Jabbeh, called the Ministry to create an enabling environment for private sector engagement.

“Recent the Ministry of met with the Health federation of Liberia. And so during that consultative process the Ministry of Health was able to set some key priority areas that would also align with the Ministry of Health’s vision, mission, the guidance principles and strategic goals and objectives.

“What is the role of each sector? For the Ministry of Health primary role is to provide oversight and execute this strategy, working in collaboration with HFL designated representatives,” remarks Dr. Jabbeh.

Giving importance of the launch was Minister George Jacobs: “we want to train health workers in the private sector so they can be on path with their colleagues in the public sector. So these things we are working on to see how to strengthen the private sector to achieve quality in the attainment of universal health coverage.

“Now that we have launched the private sector engagement strategy, moving forward it will provide us an opportunity for the private sector to help us in the health sector, so that we expand our scope of operations. We need the private sector if we should have a wider scope for family planning, among several other activities that are out there. They have a role to play—in the same that we need them they also need us,” Dr. Logan in closing remarks.

The keynotes speaker underscored the need for both parties to work together in the common interest of the Liberian, through the provision of quality healthcare services that would meet universal health benchmark.

Signed: _____________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH, RL

(October 28, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)— The United Bassa Organization in the Americas (UNIBOA) on Thursday, October 28, 2021 made a donation of injectables and medicines to the Ministry of Health to enhance national government’s efforts during these times of global pandemic.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Ministry, Hon. Norwu G. Howard, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health called on well-meaning Liberians both home and abroad as well as organizations to muster the courage in contributing to the Country for the provision of quality healthcare service delivery.

“I want to say to Liberians out there: no matter what happens Liberia is our home; no matter how long you live in America, Liberia is our home…so I want to thank those Liberians who put their hard earn resources together to solicit assistance for Liberia”, Deputy Minister Howard remarked.

The Minister at the same time pledged the Ministry’s willingness to partnering with organizations so that “we can reach the last Liberian”.

“We stand ready to partner with you all in order to reach to the last mile because there are people who are in dare situations and are in need of our assistance “, she emphasized.

However, presenting the items on behalf of the organization’s President, Abraham Williams was the former President of the organization D. Zeogar Wilson who named excitement and patriotism as tools they have sued to give back and make impact in the country.

Providing the English meaning for the vernacular acronym (UNIBOA) which means “The Child Has Grown” Mr. Wilson flanked by one of UNIBOA’s officials in Liberia James Kelley thanked Trembo National Association of America for helping to support and improve Liberia’s health sector.

The former UNIBOA’s leader stated that even though they are a Bassa organization but they also stretch out their hands to other Counties because, they are all Liberians.

He historicized that when he was National President in 2016, UNIBOA also donated medical supplies to Liberia worth $USD 25,000 and one of the beneficiaries then was the Lutheran Hospital in Lofa County something they are repeating this time around to Gbarpolu County.

“We always extend our helping hands outside of our jurisdiction, because we are all one people “, he maintained.

The donation was made possible through the partnership with the Trembo National Association of America.

The group through its President Harry D. Kpoh Jr, lamented that his organization is also very happy to be a part of this effort which compliments government’s drive in achieving the pressing health needs of every Liberian.

Partnering with different donors in the United States of America, Mr. Kpoh said their goal among other things is to get lifesaving supplies including medical equipment, high protein food and other needs that required for the people of Liberia.

He at the same time acknowledged the good partnership and collaboration both with the Ministry of Health and the United Bassa Organization in the Americas which saw the donation ceremony brought to fruition a reality.

“We value and cherished your collaboration especially the duty free privileges which has greatly help us to in return help our brothers and sisters back home”, he added.

Though the items were donated at the Ministry but will be subsequently transfered to the CH Rennie Hospital; Grand Bassa and Gbarpolu counties.

Signed: __________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

             Director of Communications/MOH/RL