(Monrovia, May 4, 2022): The Office of First Lady Clar Marie Weah welcomes the ongoing stakeholders’ meeting aimed at developing consensus-based action priorities for strengthening Liberia’s emergency care system.
In a release, Mrs. Weah’s office says such an endeavor, in addition to other efforts, is critical for saving lives, avoiding preventable deaths, and enhancing the national capacity to adequately respond to health issues, especially emergencies.
The health and well-being of Liberia’s underprivileged people, including women and children, are among the priorities of the First Lady’s flagship program, the She’s You Movement.
As a mark of support and commitment to continue working with the Health Ministry and partners, Mrs. Weah’s Chief of Staff, Madam Gaelle Mediem, and her team attended the formal opening of the two-day forum at the Royal Grand Hotel in Monrovia on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
Speaking when she officially inaugurated the meeting, Health Minister Dr. Wilhemina Jallah underscored the importance of strengthening various areas within the health system, particularly after learning hard lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tapping into the lessons learned from the global pandemic that struck every nation-great or small-there is no better time to embrace the‘strengthening basic emergency services’ in Liberia than now,” Minister Jallah asserted.
She stressed that Liberia would need a stronger system to address unforeseen situations such as accidents that may result from the increase in motorcycles, tricycles, and vehicles, the expansion of roads, and construction work, among others.
Dr. Jallah said the desired emergency care system Liberia envisages would require trained health workers as well as ambulances and other equipment across the country, thereby pledging the government’s commitment to the process.
The ongoing stakeholders’ engagement, which is expected to end on Thursday, May 5, focuses on the results of the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Care System Assessment conducted in Liberia.
In making brief remarks, WHO Country Representative Dr. Peter Clement said the findings in the assessment give clear information about the current status of emergency care in the country and how much needs to be done.
While commending the Ministry of Health and partners for the progress made over the years, Dr. Clement noted that more needed to be done in addressing human resources, equipment, and sustainable financing issues if the emergency care system is to function to expectations.
The WHO Liberia Country Director then admonished participants, including medical practitioners from various counties across the country, to discuss constructively and with an open mind.
During the meeting, working groups are to review the WHO emergency Care System Assessment results to identify gaps in Liberia’s emergency care system; build consensus on action priorities and identify resources and stakeholders key to Emergency Care System strengthening in Liberia.
