Liberia: U.S. Halts Health Assistance Funding for Margibi

Flashback: US Ambassador Michael McCarthy speaks at an event at the US Embassy in Monrovia

 

 

… pending ‘successful prosecution’ of County Health Team

The United States outgoing Ambassador, Michael McCarthy, has called on the government, through the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), to prosecute the Margibi County Health team to the fullest extent of the law if they (GoL) need more health support from them.

McCarthy’s statement comes following a recent recommendation made by Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, to turn over and prosecute those implicated in an alleged corruption scandal in Margibi County.

He said, “Additionally, in the case of the appalling alleged kickback scheme of health funding for the people of Margibi County, caught on tape and courageously revealed by Liberia’s thriving Fourth Estate, I want to reiterate that we support Minister Jallah’s recommendation that Margibi County Health officials be prosecuted by the LACC to the fullest extent of the law.”

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, May 31, McCarthy said he looks forward to seeing those prosecutions come to a successful end, which will then allow the US government to resume reimbursing legitimate expenses at the county level in Margibi, per their $55 million government-to-government health assistance program.

On February 2, 2023, local media reported a leaked audio exposing the Margibi County Health Officer, Dr. Augustine Nyankun Fannieh, and others discussing their involvement in fraudulent billings and the collection of kickbacks from vendors.

The leaked audio embroiling the Margibi County Health Team administrators in financial impropriety surfaced at the time the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Ministry of Health (MOH) Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA) Program was providing annual financial support of US$801,693.00 to the Margibi Health System.

The recording was done more than five months ago during a senior-management meeting sparked by a developing schism among county health team members over the unjust distribution of kickbacks from illicit activities.

The FARA program supports the cost of implementing components of the Essential Package of Health Services that support family planning, maternal and child health, and malaria prevention and treatment at 24 health Facilities across Margibi.

At the same time, McCarthy said in his most recent press release that he expressed a deep concern for this sort of corruption, which exists at all levels, regardless of political affiliation.

McCarthy’s statement also echoes U.S. President Joe Biden’s National Security Strategy, which recognizes that “when government officials abuse public power for private gain, it degrades the business environment, subverts economic opportunity, and exacerbates inequality.” 

“This corruption also contributes to reducing public trust in state institutions,” McCarthy said, “which in turn can add to the appeal of illiberal actors who exploit popular grievances for political advantage. 

“Let me be clear; the blatant theft of government funds by public servants at the highest levels is not just unethical—it is a betrayal. A betrayal of the oaths they took on assuming office, and a betrayal of international partners who take taxpayer revenue from their own country to help the people of a country in need.”

McCarthy said the US government has been a longstanding partner of Liberia, providing critical support to improve healthcare infrastructure and services. 

However, he said, this support must be accompanied by a commitment to good governance and anti-corruption measures.

McCarthy also averred that as his tenure here in Liberia comes to a close; his concern for the Liberian people is undiminished. Therefore, “we look forward to seeing both civil society leaders and government officials step up to truly put the nation’s interests first.”

Ultimately, the outgoing US diplomat said the success of Liberia’s healthcare system depends on a collaborative effort between government officials, international partners, and local communities. By working together to promote transparency and accountability, “we can ensure that all Liberians have access to high-quality healthcare services.”

In another development, McCarthy announced that his term as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia is scheduled to end when he departs Monrovia mid-July, 2023. He said while away, Deputy Chief of Mission Joel Maybury will serve as Chargé d’Affaires until the arrival of his replacement Mark Christopher Toner, as he awaits Senate confirmation of the next ambassador.

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