A high-powered delegation from the West African Health Organization (WAHO) has arrived in Liberia as guests of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders in the health sector of the country.
The visit of the delegation headed by WAHO’s Director General, Dr. Melchior Athanase Codjovi Joel and is anticipated to last up to February 17, 2023, is part of efforts by the regional health body aimed at enhancing cooperation and collaboration in Liberia’s health sector.
Additionally, the delegation’s visit also aimed at assessing health facilities and projects implemented by the organization as well as identifying challenges faced by the country’s health sector for continuous intervention.
Furthermore, the visit is geared towards strengthening collaboration and heightening cooperation between the MoH and WAHO for the purpose of building a resilient health care system for all West African citizens.
In a brief remark, Dr. Melchior Joel named community health programs, family health, and nutritional health, as areas that his organization sees as feasible for intervention.
He added that although there are other priority areas that need attention, it will be a systematic approach in the sub-region, especially prioritizing primary health, which is necessary for the reduction of deaths.
Receiving the delegation, Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah thanked the WAHO for its numerous contributions to Liberia especially, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We appreciate the facilitation of our dialysis training at the dialysis center and many other interventions made by WAHO, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Jallah said.
She also requested additional assistance from WAHO, particularly in the areas of human resource development and the enhancement of incentives for rural health workers. “We are appealing to WAHO to help us train some of our medical practitioners and pay incentives for our rural health workers.”
Meanwhile, before the WAHO delegation departure, the team is expected to tour key health facilities, including the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Dialysis Center and a health facility in Bo-Waterside, Grand Cape Mount County.