on a rather improved outlook since former U.S. Ambassador criticized the government of Liberia in 2023, of not doing much to improve the lives of the ordinary people in rural Liberia, especially the provision of essential medicines at health Facilities across the country, the government of Liberia under the leadership of President Joseph N. Boakai has reported a significant milestone in the transformation of the health system with the provision of essential drugs and medicines at all 15 counties, including the piloting nationwide oof Community Pharmacy initiative.
President Boakai speaking at his first Annual Message to the joint Legislature empathized that the Health and sanitation are central to his Administration’s priorities, forming a key part of the ARREST Agenda. In my first annual message, we committed to addressing both historical and emerging challenges in the health sector, ensuring access to quality healthcare for our people.
Despite significant hurdles, we have made notable progress. Today, we are pleased to report that public health centers in all 15 counties have received essential medicines, and the Community Pharmacy initiative is being piloted nationwide.
Maternal and child mortality rates have decreased, with child vaccination rates rising from 64.9% to 73% in
- We have also seen improvements in the tuberculosis treatment success rate.
However, drug and substance abuse remains an epidemic. As a result of the danger and wide-ranging impact on our society, we declared drug and substance abuse as a health emergency and a threat to national security.
To date, we have made steady progress in raising awareness and preventing drug abuse. To demonstrate our commitment, my Vice President and I led by example by undergoing drug tests.
Several at-risk youth have completed rehabilitation and reintegrated into society. Notably, we acquired 50 acres in Bensonville, Montserrado County, where preconstruction activities have begun for a Neuropsychiatric Hospital to treat mental health and substance use disorders.
A Regional Diagnostic Center is under development in Gbalatuah, Bong County, with 38.7 acres secured and preconstruction underway. This center will enhance diagnostic services, particularly in rural Liberia. We intend to establish three additional regional diagnostic centers across the country.
We are advancing several health infrastructure projects, including eight of fifteen staff housing units in Zwedru nearing completion. There are 23 ongoing infrastructure projects such as the construction and renovation of hospitals and health centers in Zwedru, Barclayville and other parts of the country.
In addition, six oxygen plants have been commissioned in Montserrado (at JFK), Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, and Grand Kru.
We are pleased to announce that, with the support of the Chinese Government, we have broken ground for the construction of a $16 million National Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory at the 14-Military Hospital in Margibi County.
On sustainable health financing, we are making progress with the National Social Health Insurance Scheme, and a bill to create the National Health Equity Fund for Universal Health Coverage will soon be submitted for your consideration.
As part of a groundbreaking health initiative, we are addressing cardiovascular issues in Liberia.
In collaboration with the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), we are establishing a state-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Center at John
F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK). This partnership emphasizes cross-training medical professionals, equipping advanced facilities, and performing life-saving surgeries.
A notable success is the open-heart surgery performed on 64-year-old Mr. Forkpa Korvah at
UGMC, with all expenses covered by my administration. By the Grace of God, Mr. Korvah is here today to share this moment of triumph.
(Mr. Korvah, please stand to be acknowledged).
Thank you!
By mid-2025, our goal is to perform some of these critical surgeries locally at JFK, significantly improving access to cardiac care for all Liberians.
