MONROVIA: The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with Africa CDC, USAID, UNICEF, and other key development partners, has launched the National Community Health Program (NCHP) Acceleration Plan Workshop.
The four-day event, hosted at the RLJ Kendeja Resort in Monrovia, brings together government officials, healthcare professionals, donors, and development partners to assess Liberia’s community health progress and address gaps as the nation strives toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Held under the theme: “Landscape Analysis, Political Prioritization, and Financial Sustainability,” the workshop will conclude on November 28 with a roadmap for achieving sustainable improvements in the community health sector.
Remarking at the workshop, Senator Varpilah, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized the pivotal role of community health workers (CHWs).
“CHWs are not just caregivers; they are lifelines to communities that would otherwise be forgotten,” he said.
Senator Varpilah called for increased investment in the NCHP, which employs nearly 5,000 CHWs, ensuring health services reach Liberia’s most remote areas.
Catherine Cooper, Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, underscored the importance of collaboration.
“Our mission here is to reflect on our achievements, tackle persistent challenges, and strategize a sustainable future for community health. Mobilizing domestic resources will be central to this effort,” she stated.
Key stakeholders explored Liberia’s recovery from the Ebola epidemic, where CHWs played a crucial role in pandemic response.
The workshop also highlighted the necessity of bolstering pandemic preparedness, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and expanding healthcare access to underserved populations.
The NCHP has already reached over 1.2 million Liberians, delivering life-saving interventions such as vaccinations, maternal health services, and public health education.
Despite these successes, logistical constraints, limited female participation among CHWs, and financial sustainability remain significant hurdles.
As the workshop progresses, participants are drafting a unified acceleration plan to align community health strategies with national goals. “Investing in community health means investing in the resilience of our people,” said Senator Varpilah.
