(Paynesville, Liberia, February 5, 2025)– The Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, has commended the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Program and its partners for their unwavering commitment to eliminating NTDs in Liberia. Speaking at the opening of the 2024 NTDs Annual Review and Planning Meeting, Dr. Cooper emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration and integration of NTD interventions into the broader health system. The review meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, county health supervisors, NGOs, and affected individuals. The discussions are focused on assessing the progress of Liberia’s NTDs program in 2024, identifying key challenges, and drafting the 2025 Annual Operational Plan.
In her remarks, Dr. Cooper acknowledged the strides made in NTD management over the past year, particularly through initiatives such as REDRESS, NEPA, and the TRANSFORM project. These programs have played a crucial role in expanding access to treatment, addressing stigma, and integrating mental health services into NTD interventions. However, she also highlighted the persistent challenges in case detection, treatment accessibility, and community engagement. The CMO urged stakeholders to use the review meeting as a platform to reflect on lessons learned and propose practical strategies to strengthen Liberia’s response to NTDs. Dr. Cooper stressed the need for NTD interventions to be fully integrated into Liberia’s general health system, ensuring that affected individuals receive continuous and sustainable care. The CMO called on county health focal persons, development partners, and community leaders to work together in harmonizing NTD programs with other national health priorities. “We must ensure that our NTD programs do not stand alone but are embedded within our national health system. This will enhance accessibility, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce the burden of these diseases on our people,” Dr. Cooper stated. A key focus of the REDRESS project, which was discussed during the meeting, is the reduction of stigma associated with NTDs. Dr. Cooper praised efforts to incorporate peer education, mental health support, and local NGOs into NTD programs. She noted that addressing stigma is crucial to encouraging early treatment-seeking behavior and improving overall health outcomes. “The REDRESS project has been instrumental in helping us understand the impact of stigma and how we can use partnerships to address it. Incorporating mental health services and community-based peer educators has strengthened our approach, ensuring that those affected receive not just medical care but also emotional and psychological support,” she emphasized. Dr. Cooper further called for enhanced collaboration between government agencies, international donors, civil society organizations, and local communities to tackle NTDs more effectively. She underscored the need for a multi-sectoral approach that includes stakeholders from the health, education, and social protection sectors to ensure a comprehensive response.
As the review meeting progressed, Dr. Cooper urged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and propose innovative solutions. She emphasized that the collective input of stakeholders is critical in shaping Liberia’s NTD strategies for 2025 and beyond. “Let’s use this meeting as an opportunity to critically review our strategies, improve our case detection and treatment approaches, and enhance program performance. Your voices matter, and together, we can strengthen Liberia’s fight against NTDs,” she stated. The 2024 NTDs Annual Review and Planning Meeting concludes with a comprehensive assessment of 2024 program activities, highlighting achievements and areas needing improvement; the finalization of the 2025 operational plan, integrating sustainability, gender inclusion, and equity considerations; enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to support NTD elimination efforts across Liberia; and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening service delivery and community-based interventions.