Liberia News

Monrovia 17th March, 2017 - The Ministry of Health of Liberia, with support from the World Health Organization has endorsed the new version (2nd Edition) of the National Standard Therapeutic Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for the country.

Monrovia, 16 September, 2016 - The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health with support from partners launched the 4th National Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) intended to determine the progress made in reducing the burden of malaria since 2011. The survey will also provide data on key malaria indicators, including mosquito net ownership and use as well as prompt and effective treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACT), and prevalence of malaria among children under five.  

Monrovia, 7th March, 2017 - The Ministry of Health with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization and other partners has concluded a four- day polio immunization campaign from February 24th – 27th targeting a total of 945,464 children 0 – 59 months. The post- campaign independent monitoring data indicates that Liberia has achieved over 95 percent national coverage in each of the last five consecutive polio campaigns.

2nd September, 2016 - The Liberia Ministry of Health with support from the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicated the “Dr Walter T. Gwenigale Electronic Library” at Phebe Regional Hospital. The Library which is a training resource will facilitate easy access to real time information by health workers. Improving access to health information will contribute towards building a fit-for-purpose health workforce which is a key priority of the Liberia Investment Plan to Building a Resilient Health System.

Monrovia 9th March 2017: The Ministry of Health of Liberia is making progress in mental health care in the face of considerable challenges. To address the severe shortage of mental health clinicians and social workers, the Ministry of Health with support from the Carter Center, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Partners in Health (PIH), United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Health Organization (WHO), undertook training of front-line health workers to care for people with mental illness.

Monrovia 28th January, 2017 - Sinoe County is the second least densely populated county in Liberia with a population of 102,391. The County has one hospital and 34 clinics with a total of two Medical Doctors, 18 Physician Assistants and 67 Nurses. 41% of the population of the county live more than 5km away from any health facility. Some communities are hard to reach or inaccessible due to heavy forest cover and rivers which include Japuken community which has no health facility.

Monrovia, 8th December, 2016 - The Ministry of Health, Liberia in collaboration with its partners and with the support of the World Health Organization today, launched the National Policy and Strategic Plan on Health Promotion (2016-2021).  The overall goal is to strengthen health promotion implementation at the National, County and Community levels. The National Policy and Strategic Plan addresses the social determinants of health and aims to improve the quality of health in line with the Government of Liberia’s “Investment plan for Building a Resilient Health System”.

10 May 2017

On 25 April 2017, the Ministry of Health of Liberia notified WHO and partners of a cluster of sudden deaths of unknown aetiology in Sinoe County. The event began on 23 April 2017 when an 11-year-old child was admitted to hospital presenting with diarrhoea, vomiting and mental confusion after attending a funeral on 22 April 2017.

As of 9 May 2017, a total of 31 cases including 13 deaths have been reported.

Monrovia 2nd December, 2016 -  Liberia commemorated World AIDs Day on 1st December 2016. This day is set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm commitment to the control of HIV/AIDS, express solidarity for those living with HIV/AIDS and remember those who have been lost over the years. The national commemoration was held in Ganta City, Nimba County under the global theme of “Hands up for HIV Prevention” and national slogan “End AIDS in Liberia: leaving No One Behind”.

Monrovia 10th April, 2017:  Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability affecting over 300 million people, representing 4% of the global population. The Ministry of Health of Liberia estimates that over 1.5 million Liberians live with depression, but most are not aware, and therefore do not seek appropriate care.