(October 19, 2021, Monrovia, Liberia)—the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah on Monday, October 19, 202,  received a brand-new JAC jeep from Liberia’s first Lady H.E. Madam Clar Marie Duncan Weah in fulfillment of her Commitment during the 2021 Presidential Tour in Bomi County, to the Suehn Mecca Health Center.

Dr. Jallah, fully attired in dominant blue suit—beamed with unending smiles occasioned by overwhelming enthusiasm, which inspired hard work—moved to the podium to receive the vehicle’s keys.

Upon receiving the vehicle on behalf of the Ministry of Health for further handing over to the Bomi County Health Team, the Health Minister thanked the First Lady for the donation; expressing that it would address pressing health needs in Bomi County and its surroundings.

Earlier, while speaking during a brief presentation ceremony at the Health Ministry in Congo Town, First Lady Clar Weah said she was moved by the exemplary work being done by health workers in Suehn Mecca amid the tedious challenges as explained by Senator Snowe during the President’s visit there.

As a champion against maternal and neonatal mortality, the Liberian First Lady recalled that she was particularly attracted to how caregivers in the midwifery section of the health center ‘walked distances or commuted on motor bikes to perform delivery and other related services.’

“I noted with heavy heart as Senator Snowe singled out a midwife by the name Mrs. Sando M.S. Cole, who is the Supervisor of the Reproductive Health Services, and how she makes extra sacrifices to save the lives of precious young Liberians, some of whom could be the next Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Engineers or maybe the future Presidents,” said Mrs. Weah.

“Being a health practitioner myself and most importantly as a mother, I was troubled in my spirit and was moved, without a second thought, to do something. 

“Today, in fulfillment of that commitment, I have come to donate to the Suehn-Mecca Health Center a brand new JAC Jeep, which will be used to ease movement to hard-to-reach places in the County and support the work of the facility,” asserted Mrs. Weah.

Meanwhile, the Liberian First Lady expressed profound gratitude to health workers across the country for their commitment to saving precious lives, while praising the exemplary leadership of Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe.

Also speaking, Senator Snowe welcomed Mrs. Weah’s gesture to the Bomi County Health System and pledged his commitment to work with her in various ways to improve the lives of Liberians especially the less fortunate.

In addition to the vehicle, the First Lady presented 500 United States Dollars to Mrs. Sando Cole as a personal token of appreciation for her hard work and dedication to the health sector.

Mrs. Cole along with Bomi County Health Officer Dr. Siana Jackson and other members of the health team was also grateful to the Liberian First Lady.

Finally, the turnover ceremony was graced by First Lady Clar Weah, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Deputy Minister Norwu Howard; Dr. Siana Jackson, Bomi County Health Officer, Sando Cole, among others.

 Signed:___________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh             Director of Communications, MOH, RL

(October 15, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)—Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, has hailed Samaritan’s Purse International for supporting and immediately intervening in the delivery of an emergency stock of oxytocin drugs to River Gee and Grand Gedeh Counties, respectively.

Earlier, the Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement Project (FARA) initiated the distribution of about 700 virals of oxytocin but was unable to complete the delivery due to the poor road connectivity in the Southeastern region of the Country, which led to FARA’s vehicles stocking mud while transporting the consignments to those Counties for onward distribution to health facilities in the region.

Since 2010, Samaritan’s Purse International has been working with the government of Liberia to provide health services to rural Liberians, first in the basic package of health services (BPHS) program, and now in the essential package of health services (EPHS) program.

During these periods, the Christian Organization has played key roles in mentoring health facility staff in the supervision of Community Health Workers (CHWs), supporting the professional development of CHWs and facilitating the development of positive relationships between communities and the health facilities.

Giving the supportive activities being initiated by Samaritan’s Purse coupled with commitment and dedication to the nation’s health sector, especially during these difficult times of global pandemic, such a partnership must be appreciated and embraced by all.

Meanwhile, Dr Jallah has also extolled both local and international partners for always being committed and supportive to provision of quality health care services delivery to the public in general.

Signed: __________________________

             Felecia Gbesioh

             Director of Communications/MOH/RL

(September 20, 2021, 21^st Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia)—the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA) on today, September 20, 2021, launched newborn screening for sickle cell disease at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC).

“For me sickle cell has been my passion: my thesis for master degree was in sickle cell; I am a sickle cell consoler”, Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah told scores of participants at the launch.

The Liberian Health Ministry also admonished medical doctors, nurses, as well as health practitioners to buff efforts in providing health and social counselling for patients of sickle cell for societal integration.

“…But we need to get those who are new—those are the people we need to work with so that they can’t keep producing more sickle cell babies. We need to spend our times; whether it is marriage consoler, or in the churches or wherever, we need to do the counselling. We need to start now to prevent the new cases of sickle cell that will be coming behind us. As we prevent, we need to manage those cases we that have because with the little ones they need constant care.”

Meanwhile Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, used the occasion to thank the partners for the support, describing it as incredible.

“The JFK Medical Center is indeed blessed. We are proud of the launch here today”, Dr. Jerry Brown, Chief Medical Officer of the JFK said in a remark. “We’re also going to work alone with you to see how best we all can engage it”

The occasion brought together health professionals from both public and the private sector, government officials including representative from the Department of Pediatrics, Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Liberia Medical and Dental Association, Liberia Medical and Dental Council, among other partners.

Signed:___________________________________________

Felecia Gbesioh

Director of Communication, MoH, LR

The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Liberia Board for Nursing and Midwifery (LBNM) and its partners has launched Liberia’s first Digital Online Licensing Examinations System.

The online licensing exams system is intended to improve the LBNM’s operations and bring about professionalism as well as transparency in the country’s health sector. This system will also help students to be efficient and effective as well brings a high level of transparency.

The digital licensing exams system which was launched on September 17, 2021 in Monrovia, brought together health professionals from both public and the private sector, government officials including representative from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana among other partners.

Meanwhile Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, speaking during the event thanked the partners for the support. Dr. Jallah said who served as the chief launcher however described the step taken by the LBNM was incredible.

Minister Jallah further noted that as everyone welcomes the digital online examinations system, “we are now leaving the paper based exams behind. She however recommends that students throughout the year should be preparing for the digital exams.

However, Cecilia C. Kpangbala-Flomo, Registrar LBNM, said the initiative was made possible through the kind courtesy of US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services, UNFPA, and also supported by the New York University Rory Meyers Collage of Nursing. “Most importantly the Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council was the first took the first step to support this process. 

According to Madam Flomo, Liberia is the second to embark on this initiative in the sub region, something which she sees as positive and a great achievement for the country’s health sector.

She further disclosed that it all started in March 2019 when the LBNM Board Chairman and the Registrar attended a meeting in Sierra Lone for the West African Collage of Nursing By-Annual Meeting.

She stated that at that meeting the team from Liberia listened to Mr. Felix Nyante, Registrar from Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council when he presented on an online licensure exam in Ghana, the presentation she said they took interest and approach him (Nyante) so as to embark on this initiative. 

At the same time, she told the gathering that in June 2019 they also attended a Conference in Singapore where another presentation was done and draw them more closely to (Mr. Nyante) and “this time around he immediately accepted our proposal.”  

As we continue our quest to finding solutions to these enormous problems for our growing student’s population we have the government of Liberia stakeholder’s engagement which started with the LBNM board for approval to go ahead with this digital system today. It also brought together MOH and engaged our partner the National Commission on Higher Education who also embraced this initiative.

Madam Flomo also recalled in August 2021, two of its members including the Registrar (Cecilia C. Kpangbala-Flomo) visited the Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council in Ghana on a study tour where the engagements with counterpart were concluded.

Meanwhile, giving a statistics of schools that they regulate across the country, she indicated that the LBNM have increased overtime in school population. According to her, in 2009 they had about eight (8) schools; and the students’ population for administrating the national board exams was around 200 candidates.

However, she added “when we hit 2014 our school population came up to about 17, being regulated and with this number we had a student population of 500 candidates sitting for the national board exams.”

Currently, they have about 23 schools that are being regulated, and out of that number they have student’s population of 900 and some more. Madam Flomo: “We also have about 18 new applicants who have applied and are currently going through the necessary processes of accreditation. As we know definitely when this number is added to the 23 it means our students population will also increase.”  

We have our traditional ways of administering exams which is called the (Paper Based Exams) the LBNM administered her first exam in 1956 from that year up to now we have been operating that system.

Over the years the use of paper based however had huge challenges raging from labor cost, time consumption, security risk, logistical constrains in terms of transporting test to long distances with deplorable roads, especially in the southeast of the country. Ghana’s Ambassador, Felix Nyante, said the partnership between Liberian and Ghana has come a very long way, this he said goes beyond what he calls diplomatic relations. I am glad that we are here to celebrate with the LBNM for this great achievement. He calls for continues collaboration with each other to ensure that the all other countries in the sub-region are supported.

Signed:__________________________________________

Felecia Gbesioh,

Director of Communications, MoH, LR

The risk of severe illness from COVID—19 increase with age is something global health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as GAVI and others have recommended adults 65 years and older to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Those health organizations have also placed emphasis on important steps to help prevent getting sick from COVID-19, once people lure to the global vaccination exercise.

As a result, the Ministry of health in collaboration with partners in Liberia have joined this global initiative to rollout nationwide immunization exercises since the arrival of both the AstraZeneca and the J&J vaccines that have been simultaneously or parallelly administered across the nation.

However, the Ministry of Health is expected to vaccinate about 10% of the nation’s total population as mandated by the World Health Organization. This global health benchmark, it is not clear whether the Ministry and Liberian Government would meet up with it, but expectations are surge as health authorities are optimistic of triggering it.

Daily, Liberians are gradually pulling to various vaccination sites across the nation. The Ministry and its partners are also moving into communities to get people vaccinated and tested in order to break the trade of transmission.

However, Joanna Eva George, 99, on September 08, 2021, was among the latest older people to get vaccinated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

As a way of providing quality routine health services to the public in general, a team of medical practitioners moved to Mrs. George’s residence, where she received her dose.

“I am Joanna Eva George. I am 99 years and December; I will be 100 years. I was informed by my children about the vaccine; therefore, I decided to be vaccinated,” she narrated.

Explaining the vaccines’ essentiality, Yornweh Ophelia Clemons (her daughter) said it’s important that people take the vaccines for their own safety because the new delta variant of the pandemic is killing people globally.

“People are dying from the virus; so we want our mother to take the vaccines,” Mrs Clemons.

For her part, Mrs Mornjay George Pratt, (another daughter of Mrs Joanna Eva George) lauded the government of President George Manneh Weah for initiating nationwide COVID-19 Vaccines immunization, which her 99 years old mother has formed a part.

“At this time, I like to encourage all of you with all of those theories that are so unprofaned to take their vaccines and wear their masks. I have taken mine and all of our employees, we encouraged to take theirs and they had taken their vaccines”, Mrs Pratt disclosed.

She stressed the need for Liberians to embrace the vaccination and dismiss myth surrounding the vaccines’ safety.

Signed: _________________________________________

              Felecia Gbesioh

              Director of Communications

              Ministry of Health, RL

(Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)—the infrastructure development and the provision of quality health services across the nation are few things among numerous initiatives being undertaken by Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah’s administration since her takeover at the Country’s health sector.

Today, September 6, 2021, an array of government officials joined Dr. Jallah and her team at the Ministry of Health to commission the newly constructed partners building. The new building will host offices of the Expanded Program on Immunization,  (EPI) Malaria Control as well as other partners’ offices being housed in the Ministry’s main building in Congo Town.

The partners’ ground building was constructed by the Ministry with support from GAVI through the Expanded Program on Immunization. The 50% completion of the project was implemented by the Afrique Construction and Maintenance Company; worth about nine hundred thousand United States dollars.

In separate remarks, Dr. Jallah and Deputy Minister for Administration, Norwu G. Howard, lauded the government and partners for the level of support and at the same time thanked  EPI Manager, Mr. Adolphus Clarke for being very instrumental in bringing forth this initiative, as the Ministry envisages 50% completion of the remaining portion of the building.

Signed: _____________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH, R.L

(Salala, Bong, Liberia)— Over one hundred eye patients across Bong County have received free screening and eye surgery, as part of efforts to minimize people living with blindness or eye condition. This was a joint effort by the Ministry of Health, and Samaritan’s Purse in collaboration with New Sight Eye Center.

The exercise, which began on August 9 -13 at the Salala Health Center, did not only attract patients within the County to the Health Center but also gathered patients from surrounding counties of Bong, including Margibi, Lofa and Nimba. Patients who were booked outside of the Salala Clinic were picked-up by Samaritan Purse, enabling them free access to the facility.

According to the Ministry’s statement, the influx of patients—over one hundred—was predicated upon massive awareness initially created by the Ministry and partners, who believe the lives of citizen matter.

Making a brief statement on behalf of government and the Ministry, Dr. Joseph Kerkulah, National Eye Health Program Director of MOH, said: “A total of 139 cases were booked; out of the number, 110 were cataracts while 12 were relatively inconsequential eye related cases.”

As a result of high sunray which could hamper newly regained sight person, Dr. Kerkulah said they have distributed marque new sun glasses among the patients to resist the sunray.

He, however, lauded Samaritan’s Purse and the New Sight Eye Center for unremittingly buttressing government’s efforts during these times of pandemic, and reassumed government’s commitment and collaboration with partners for providing and delivering quality health services for all Liberians.

The Ministry’s press statement further noted that most people who regained new sight were adults, constituting about 95% of the total number of patients who underwent the surgical operation.

“I am Bendu Kollie,from Gbarnga. I got blind from cataract for almost 2yrs. Being blind wasn’t easy but by the grace of God, I was able to regain my sight. I am happy and I feel blessed because if it weren’t for God Almighty I wouldn’t have regained my sight.” Bendu Kollie said.

“I am Cammue Sayoven, from Larwota. I suffered 5yrs of blindness due to the effect of cataract, due to my blindness. I couldn’t work to system myself, but I bless God for my children that stood by me throughout my years of blindness. I am grateful to God for his intervention in my life and the chance. I have once more to live again”, Cammue Sayoven, 89, noted.

The surgical outreach ended with a program, with supporting and implementing partners using the occasion to appreciate government for providing them the space to contribute to humanity, especially in the Country’s health sector.

 Signed: _____________________________________

              Felecia Gbesioh

              Director of Communication

(August 19, 2021, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia)—the capacity of human resource building is among few things Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has prioritized since her takeover at the helm of power at the country’s health sector, especially the Ministry of Health.

Leaving this not unnoticed, several Counties Health Biomedical technicians has been certificated after participating in an eight-week-long biomedical training course.

The biomedical technicians certificated on August 19, 2021, were trained to enhance biomedical activities at various county’s levels across the country.

Some major topics were covered during the BMET training course are: first aid, electrical safety on medical equipment, use of test equipment defibrillator, syringe pump, maintenance and repair of medical equipment, IPC (hygiene), safety in the hospital, oxygen to patients, handling of oxygen cylinders, electronic (circle analysis, troubleshooting, etc.), how to contact equipment manufactural for service manuals, spare parts, software, etc.

However, Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, during the certification ceremony, reaffirmed her leadership’s commitment and dedication to ensuring that the Ministry’s Biomedical Department and all other departments are compared to none in the sub-region, with every county team in the country having well equipped biomedical technicians.

“Preparing technicians at all levels of the Country’s health sector, especially at various public health facilities, is something that we are committed to doing before leaving the Ministry’s—remember no will forever remain here as Minister”, she said with excitement.

Dr. Jallah used the occasion to appreciate Mercy and partners as well as participants for making the training a success.

For her part, the Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon. Norwu Howard stressed the importance for beneficiaries of the training exercise to serve as ambassadors in their respective counties: “today, you have been trained and we encourage to be light in your respective counties for the good of our people”

The Deputy Ministry voiced out that as an administer of the Ministry dream has to see tangibles or productivities at various departments, even at the county levels.

“We are agents of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, and the government. Our technicians here today, it is our responsibility to do best to seeing this achieve its agenda”, Hon. Howard Remarks.

Earlier, Annick Sylvestre, Mercy Ships Operations Coordinator lauded Ministry of Health and partners for affording them the opportunity to country’s health sector and promised to always contribute to the sector when the space is provided.

Giving an overview of the project, Wymah S. Youyoubon, Director of Healthcare Technology Management Unit at the Ministry of Health said: “When Madam Minister and her team took over years ago, I briefed her about the importance of the Unit and the way forward. And she gave me the blessings. Today, we have technicians who are going to increase the levels of productivity at various county levels across the country”.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Comfort Zowulu expressed thanks and appreciation to the Ministry and its partners, particularly the Director of  the HTMU, for providing them the space to acquire such insightful knowledge.

“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to say plenty thanks to the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships, our teachers and even the Director of the Biomedical Unit for providing us this opportunity. We will use this tool and knowledge acquired to contribute and improve the health sector,” Madam Zowulu noted.

Signed: _____________________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communications, MOH, R.L

(Paynesville, Liberia, August 5, 2021)—the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health and its partners on Thursday, August 05, 2021, officially started administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccines at the Paynesville City Hall in Montserrado Country.

Recently, the Ministry received a donation of 302,400 Doses of the J&J COVID-19 Vaccinesfrom the United States Government through the COVAX facility in collaboration with the African Union and the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention in order to curb further spread of the global pandemic.

With this, several personalities including current and past governments’ officials, local and international partners as well as Liberians trooped in during the event to take doses of their vaccines.

However, Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dee Maxwell Kemayah, USAID Mission Director, Jim Wright; and CDC Country Director to Liberia, Dr. Rachel Idowu, graced the occasion.

The Ministry has designated the Monrovia City Hall, Paynesville city Hall, Barnesville Town, GSA Compound and a host of facilities to administer the vaccines. It will also be administered at some market sites including the Waterside Market, Red Light General Market, Goba-chop, Jacob Town Market, Redemption Hospital, Jukpen Town, ELWA Market, Duala Market, Kuwait Market, Clara Town, Old Road, Poultry Market (Red Light community) and the VOA Market in Brewerville, Duport Road Market, Rehab Market, Rally Town, Roto Town Market, Pepperwood Town Market, Barnesville Market and 72nd Market.

During the colorful event, Dr. Jallah thanked President George Manneh Weah for providing her the opportunity to serve the country and at the same time applauded the public for constantly following all of the health protocols instituted by the government as a way of combating the fight against the virus: “It is a great day to see this huge attendance for this launch. We want to say thanks for coming.” Saying, “to the citizens of Liberia and the general public, we want to say thank you very much. You are helping in the reduction of the spread of the virus in the country.

The Health Ministry, with excitement, said no strategic work in any given environment of such when the people are not heavily involved: “We are all part of this process, this reduction we are seeing gradually over the past days. We must admit. We saw social distancing, masks wearing, washing of hands, etc. thanks for job well done.”

Dr. Jallah admonished the public in general to continue on the good footing “because the fight is not over yet. You have to come for the vaccination wherever you are because we are expected to vaccinate over 300,000 persons with this J&J vaccine.”

Hence, all persons 18 years and above are eligible for the J&J COVID-19 Vaccines, including Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people with medical conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, etc.).

The Minister informed the public that a new batch of 96,000 AstraZeneca vaccines is expected to arrive in the country this week and called on people who have taken the first dose and are awaiting the second not to panic but wait for the vaccines’ arrival.

Signed: _____________________________

            Felecia Gbesioh

            Director of Communication

            Ministry of Health

(Sunday, July 25, 2021, RIA, Liberia)—the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health on Sunday July 25, 2021, received additional consignment of the Johnson and Johnson COVAX Vaccines.

“The arrival of this gift is very timely and it will help us to reach the benchmark set by WHO to have at least 10% of the population vaccinated against COIVD-19 by September 2021”, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah said in a remark while receiving the consignment at the Roberts International Airport.

Expunging further on rumors surrounding funding shipment of the vaccines, Dr. Jallah said: “this is a gift from the United States government, which was brought into the country free of charge. Our government didn’t pay anything for the arrival. Every processing surrounding this vaccine was done by our partners”.

Since the country started immunization of the AstraZeneca vaccines, there are about 86,288 persons who have received the first dose, while 9,579 persons have received the second dose.

The Liberian Health Minister has warned previously recipients of the AstraZeneca Vaccines to avoid taking the new dose (J&J) in country, saying “those who took the first doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccines should wait for the vaccine that is expected to be in country at the end of this month. This J&J vaccine is only for those who have not taken any COVID-19 related vaccines. So, please wait for the AstraZeneca. It will soon be in country”.

Now, as part of US President Joe Biden administration’s global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, US Ambassador accredited to Liberia Michael McCarthy said, his government saw it prudent to have intervened by donating 302,400 doses of the J&J vaccines to Liberia.

This is also part of the U.S. pledged to initially provide at least 25 million of 80 million doses globally with Africa being a continent of priority.

“We are proud to continue working together with the Liberian government, the private sector, and civil society to do everything we can to mitigate the pandemic’s high toll on life, livelihoods, and social impacts”, remarked Ambassador McCarthy. “To everyone who has not been vaccinated, I strongly encourage you to do so—as I did—as soon as you have the opportunity”, Amb. McCarthy expressed.

Earlier, handling over the vaccines to the Liberian government through Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, the US Envoy echoed Mr Biden’s administration commitment “as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world”.

The Janssen Vaccines was developed in Leiden, Netherlands, and its Belgian parent company Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of American company Johnson & Johnson.

It is a viral vector vaccine based on a human adenovirus that has been modified to contain the gene for making the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The body’s immune system responds to this spike protein to produce antibodies. The vaccine requires only one dose and does not need to be stored frozen.

Clinical trials for the vaccine were started in June 2020, with Phase III trials involving around 43,000 people. On 29 January 2021, Janssen announced that 28 days after a completed vaccination, the vaccine was 66% effective in a one-dose regimen in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, with an 85% efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19, and 100% efficacy in preventing hospitalization or death caused by the disease.

The vaccine has been granted by the US Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency (EMA and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Signed:____________________________________

           Felecia Gbesioh,

           Director of Communication, MOH