Liberia: WHO Boosts MOH’s Diagnostic Capacity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated to the Ministry of Health (MOH) a huge consignment of medicines and medical equipment worth thousands of dollars. The donation, according to WHO, is meant to strengthen the ministry’s diagnostic capacity.

The donation also focuses on making Liberia’s health system resilient, as the country recovers from the COVID-19 which heavily impacted the health system. 

The global health organization also indicated that the equipment and drugs are meant to further boost the systems of people with severe cases of Covid-19, including other severe health problems, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Some of the items donated by the WHO include medicines that are meant to address mental health issues. The diagnostic supplies or consumables are also for the work at the laboratories, equipment for the ICU, tablets, and computers for geo-mapping among others.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Congo Town, WHO Country Representative, Dr. Clement Lugala Peters, said that Liberia’s health system was heavily impacted as a result of COVID-19, therefore it is about time to start rebuilding it. 

“Liberia is recovering from COVID-19 and its system was impacted. We want to thank the ministry for having the ICU because it was not there before, but it is now available, and we have enough space at Star Base ICU.” 

Some of these supplies, he said, are intended for those who are health workers and give treatment in the ICU; some of these health workers, according to him; when they work in a stressful situation, and some of them were affected by that; therefore, the medicines will be a help to them as well.” 

The WHO Boss further disclosed that the medicine supplies will also help address the issues of at risk youth (Zogos). The donation, which was divided into segments, was meant to boost the capacity of immunization in the country. 

“Many children could not get their vaccines because of the interruption of COVID-19 and this is about time to have robust immunization activities in the country. All of these supplies, when combined; are a great contribution to Liberia’s health system,” he noted. 

 However, when the Daily Observer questioned the WHO boss about the value of the huge donation to the ministry, he replied,”It is difficult to mention value, because when you talk about value, you have to start from the procurement process, and so we tried not to focus on that. What is important here is if these supplies can serve the country.”

WHO is a strong partner to the Liberian government, you know that the role of WHO is the chief and technical advisor to the Ministry, therefore, we are committed to supporting Liberia’s health system. “We hope that it benefits the population as we strive to increase access to health care services in Liberia.”

The Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, said the donation comes at an important point where plans have already been initiated to set up an infectious disease unit for the ministry to tackle crippling health challenges in the country. 

She disclosed that a segment of the supplies will also complement ongoing efforts at the ICU. The Liberian Health Minister maintained that the consignment would benefit Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, and Montserrado Counties. 

According to Dr. Jallah, from the description, each of the items donated is going to be very helpful in improving a lot of the situation in the country. She also recalled the recent donation of ambulances, pick-up, and other ICU equipment by the WHO to the ministry as a major boost to Liberia’s health sector.