Liberia News

Every year, Liberia joins the rest of the world on April 7th to commemorate World Health Day, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness on pressing health issues. Under the theme “Healthy beginnings, Hopeful futures”, the national observance took place in Bentol City, Montserrado County, bringing together government officials, international partners, health professionals, students and community members to advocate for investment and collective action in maternal and newborn health.

Liberia has made progress in reducing maternal mortality from 1072 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2013 to 742 by 2020. However, the country still has one of the region's highest maternal mortality burdens. Limited access to quality obstetric care is a key factor contributing to the high maternal and newborn deaths. To tackle this challenge, the country has set to attain improved access by ensuring the availability of five basic EmONC (BEmONC) facilities and one comprehensive EMONC (CEmONC) facility per 200 000 populations.

In a heartwarming ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health and attended by government officials, health workers, and partners, Minister Louise M. Kpoto extended her farewell to WHO Representative, Dr Peter Clement as he concludes his assignment in Liberia.

Monrovia, Liberia – In a significant boost to Liberia’s healthcare system, the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered a consignment of essential medicines, supplies and one  electroencephalography (EEG) machine and accessories to the Ministry of Health. This contribution will strengthen critical services, including maternal and newborn care, blood safety, laboratory confirmatory testing services and mental health.

Nimba, Liberia – Fifty Liberian professionals have successfully completed a one-month AVoHC-SURGE training program designed to strengthen the country's capacity to respond to public health emergencies. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Liberian government with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the Canadian government, aims to bolster the country’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.

Monrovia, Liberia - In the Kessely Boulevard community, Shedrick Barlee, a 36-year-old father, clutches his one-year-old son, Blessed Barlee, as a healthcare worker prepares to administer the measles vaccine. Since 2021 Liberia has been battling an outbreak of measles due largely to interruption of routine immunization on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. At total of 13 334 cases and 95 deaths were recorded by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.

In a bold step towards accelerating the reduction of maternal and child mortalities, the Government of Liberia in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners, launched a comprehensive Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition Policy (RMNCAH+N) seven-year policy and the Child Survival Strategy (CSS) and action plan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step towards addressing the growing issue of substance abuse in Liberia by donating essential medical supplies to the Ministry of Health (MOH). This timely intervention, supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, will empower healthcare providers to effectively treat and rehabilitate at-risk youth suffering from substance-use disorders (SUDs).