Liberia News

In a concerted effort to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and enhance public health in Liberia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated a consignment of Albendazole and Praziquantel tablets to the Ministry of Health to be used for the prevention and treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis, Soil Transmitted Helminths, and Schistosomiasis, targeting more than 2 million people in endemic counties through Mass Drug Administration campaigns.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners has commenced a four-day nationwide polio vaccination campaign, which begins on May 10, 2024, with the aim of responding to an outbreak of the circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2. This crucial campaign is conducted concurrently with Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. The cross-border initiative aims to immunize all eligible children, including those crossing national boundaries.

The United Nations (H6) joint mission has concluded its visit to Liberia, highlighting the urgent need for action to combat the high burden of increasing maternal and newborn deaths in the country. The delegation revealed that 1,100 women and 8,510 newborn die annually during childbirth in Liberia.

The Liberia Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded a week-long laboratory system and genomic surveillance situation analysis and developed an action plan as part of a one-year project to be implemented as a contribution to establishing genomic sequencing capacity in Liberia for epidemic prone priority pathogens beyond COVID-19.

Liberia marks a monumental milestone in its battle against malaria as it launches the highly anticipated RTS,S malaria vaccine today, coinciding with World Malaria Day, commemorated under the theme: Health Equity, Gender, and Human Rights: Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World. The launch ceremony, held in Rivercess County, signals a significant step forward in the nation's commitment to safeguarding the health of its children and communities.

Op Ed

Dr. Clement Peter- WHO Representative - Liberia

Climaxing the year-long celebration marking 75 years of the World Health Organization's (WHO) existence, World Health Day on April 7th this year serves as the conclusion of this significant milestone. While last year's observance celebrated WHO's achievements on the journey to achieving Health For All, this year's commemoration takes on a broader perspective by highlighting health as a fundamental human right under the theme "My Health, My Right."

Monrovia – Protecting her 13-year-old daughter, Jamsetta Kumeh, from human papillomavirus (HPV) overrode Buludi Martin’s reservations about the vaccine that prevents the infection that can cause cervical cancer. Today she is content that she made the correct decision.

“I was afraid, of course,” she admits. “There are so many stories about vaccines, and I wasn't sure if it was safe, but when I understood it protects against cervical cancer, I knew it was the right choice and it will protect Jamsetta for the future,” says Martin.