Monrovia, April 9: The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Kartumu Y. Boakai, has been appointed as the Maternal and Neonatal Health Champion for Liberia. This important announcement was made during the in-door event held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, marking the peak of Liberia’s commemoration of World Health Day 2024, which also climaxed the yearlong celebration of WHO 75^th anniversary campaign.

World Health Day, observed globally on April 7th, serves as a platform to raise awareness on pressing health issues, advocate for universal access to quality healthcare, and promote healthy lifestyles. This years’ celebration under the theme "My Health, My Right”, emphasized the fundamental human right to health and called for collective action to address the social determinants of health.

Dr. Clement Peter, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, reiterated WHO's commitment to championing health rights for all and emphasized the importance of universal access to quality health services, education, and safe living conditions. He underscored the need for political will, accountability, and adequate funding to uphold the right to health, which is often marred by challenges such as discrimination and stigma.

"Populations suffering marginalization and other vulnerabilities suffer the most, including people living in poverty, the elderly, and people living with disabilities. Everyone deserves access to quality, timely, and appropriate health services without being subjected to discrimination or financial hardship," stated Dr. Peter.

He called upon the government to make meaningful investments to scale up primary healthcare, ensure transparency and accountability, and meaningfully engage individuals and communities in decision-making around health.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, the Minister of Health, emphasized the significance of the theme "My Health, My Right" and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring universal access to quality healthcare. Dr. Kpoto highlighted the Ministry of Health's dedication to partnering with stakeholders to strengthen the healthcare system and address disparities in access to health services.

"Women should not die while giving birth; let us safeguard the lives of women and newborns in Liberia. Health is not a commodity; it is a Right. The right to health is not transferable," emphasized Dr. Kpoto.

She reiterated the government's commitment to improving access to healthcare services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring affordable health services, and establishing community insurance scheme programs.

In a bold move to tackle maternal and neonatal health challenges in Liberia, Dr. Kpoto unveiled Madam Kartumu Y. Boakai as the Champion for Maternal and Newborn Health Campaign in Liberia. In addition, the Chairperson of the Health Committee at the Senate, Honorable Dabah M. Varlipah, was announced as the Co-champion for Maternal and Newborn Health. This dynamic duo will provide the necessary political traction and mobilize financial resources required to support interventions to reduce the high maternal and newborn mortality in Liberia, while advocating for improved healthcare infrastructure and services.

Accepting her role as the Maternal and Newborn Health Champion, Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Kartumu Boakai, emphasized the urgency to address preventable deaths affecting mothers and their newborns in Liberia. She expressed her solemn duty and fervent passion to lead a movement against maternal and newborn mortality, calling on all stakeholders to join hands in this endeavor. In addition to her role as Maternal and Newborn Health Champion, Madam Boakai announced the launch of the Women's Coalition for Reproductive Health and Rights. This coalition is committed to empowering women and girls and will focus on maternal health and access to modern family planning methods.

"The number of deaths among mothers and infants are not mere numbers but are echoes of anguish that are alarmed in our communities. Every mother has a name, and every newborn has a heartbeat. A child's future is extinguished before it even begins," stated Madam Boakai.

Madam Boakai's appointment comes at a critical juncture as Liberia grapples with alarmingly high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. She shared heartbreaking stories of families affected by these tragedies and underscored the need for concerted efforts to end the cycle. She further reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.

During this year’s commemoration of World Health Day, the Ministry of Health of Liberia with support from WHO, carried out a series of activities including an HPV vaccination campaign for cervical cancer targeting schoolgirls during which over 148 eligible girls received the HPV vaccine, the donation of wheelchairs and white canes to persons living with disabilities, a blood donation drive, and a panel discussion on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its implications on health that brought together over 100 stakeholders to deliberate on possible solutions to end FGM and promote the right to health for women and girls in Liberia. All these events aimed at raising awareness on health and the need to place health at the center of development—health services should be accessible, whenever and wherever needed.