BELEFANIA, Bong County – As part of effort to provide quality maternal and newborn health services, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Strategic Technical Assistance for Improved Health System Performance and Health Outcomes (STAIP) has officially turned over several essential medical equipment, instruments and supplies to eight health facilities in three counties of Liberia, valued over Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars.
By: Gerald C. Koinyeneh- [email protected]
The eight health facilities were selected from three counties including Nimba, Bong, and Margibi that are noted to be at the center stage of the high levels of maternal and newborn deaths due to the absence of lifesaving equipment. The benefiting health facilities include G.W Harley Hospital, Jackson F. Doe Hospital, Karnplay Health Center, Belefanai Health Center, Bong Mines Hospital, C.H. Rennie, 14 Military Hospital and the Dolo Town Hospital.
These essential equipment, instruments and supplies were officially turned over to the Ministry of Health through its Deputy Minister of Health services and Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Francis Kateh at Belefania Health Center in Bong County. These include neonatal mechanical ventilators, newborn incubators, neonatal resuscitation tables with warmers, steam sterilizer, surgical operating tables, anesthesia machines and many more life-saving equipment, supplies and instruments. The lifesaving equipment procured by USAID through the STAIP project, were installed. Staff were trained on the use and maintenance of the equipment and provision of quality neonatal intensive care services.
It is expected to support critical life-saving services for mothers and their premature or sick babies at eight health facilities across the three counties.
According to the 2019/20 Demographic and Health Survey, Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world at 742 per 100,000 live births. In 2020, the Ministry of Health reported 197 maternal deaths and 592 newborn deaths for the period of January 1 to September 30, 2020.
Counties reporting the highest number of maternal deaths were Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, and Margibi, while the highest numbers of neonatal deaths were reported by Montserrado, Nimba, Margibi, and Maryland counties.
However, making remarks during the turnover ceremony, USAID/Liberia Mission Director Jim Wright revealed that since the installment and supply of the equipment as well as STAIP interventions, there have been reports of low maternal and neonatal deaths in the targeted areas.
“The equipment and the associated training for health staff at the targeted facilities are already producing the desired results. Specifically, I am pleased to report that we have seen a reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio in three of the focus counties,” Jim Wright said.
“Margibi has achieved 70 percent reduction, while Nimba and Bong have achieved 20 percent and 25 percent reductions, respectively for the period July 2021 to October 2023,” the USAID/Liberia Mission Director added.
He used the occasion to reecho the U.S. government’s commitment to assist Liberia to provide quality healthcare for all. According to the USAID boss, to achieve the national goal of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by 50 percent there is a need to invest more in the national health strategy to reduce maternal and newborn death in Liberia.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Health Ministry, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh lauded the U.S. government for its continued collaboration that seeks the betterment of the country’s health system. Dr. Kateh used the occasion to call on health workers across the country, including the benefiting area to maintain the facilities.
The ceremony was graced by heads of the selected counties, including Nimba and Margibi Counties Health Officers Dr. Netty N. Joe and Dr. Sianeh Jackson, Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker, USAID health Office staff, Healthcare workers, Zota District community and the STAIP project team including Dr. Birhanu Getahun, the Chief of Party.
Like Dr. Kateh, the county health officers and the superintendent lauded the US government and STAIP for the project and promised to use the investments for the intended purpose.
