Monrovia – The Youth Network for Positive Change (YOUNETPO), led by Executive Director Leo E. Tiah, recently organized a vital policy dialogue aimed at tackling critical issues within Liberia’s health sector.
This event, part of the USAID Civil Society Activity (CSA) project, was held under the theme “Integration of Citizens’ Charter for Health Facility Development Committees,” focusing on the health challenges in Montserrado and Bong Counties. It provided a platform for key stakeholders to collaborate on solutions to these pressing issues.
The dialogue brought together a diverse group of participants, including lawmakers, youth groups, marketers, women, and civil society organizations. The goal was to share insights and recommendations from recent drug monitoring exercises, focus group discussions, and quarterly Health Facility Development Committee (HFDC) monitoring visits. The aim was to identify systemic challenges in Liberia’s health system and propose viable solutions to improve its effectiveness.
YOUNETPO, a nationally recognized youth-led civil society organization with a decade-long history of impactful work in Liberia, is committed to empowering youth through education, skills development, volunteerism, and advocacy. The organization envisions creating a self-sustaining generation of young people with equal access to health, education, and opportunities, thereby driving positive societal change.
During the dialogue, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at a resort in Congo Town, Tiah raised significant concerns regarding the management and distribution of drugs donated by USAID. “Earlier this year, USAID reported that many of the commodities donated to Liberia were found in private clinics and hospitals, prompting YOUNETPO to closely monitor 20 health facilities in Montserrado and 10 in Bong County,” Tiah said. He explained that the monitoring focused on drug usage, accuracy of reporting, and whether citizens were being charged for these medications.
Tiah also addressed other critical issues within the health sector, including ongoing understaffing in public health facilities, particularly in the Todee and Suakoko health districts, and inadequate infrastructure. He pointed out discrepancies in the record-keeping of drug distribution, although some improvements have been noted due to YOUNETPO’s mentorship initiatives.
Despite these advancements, Tiah acknowledged that many challenges remain. “YOUNETPO’s ongoing efforts aim to keep partners engaged and aware of these challenges,” he noted. He also revealed that as part of the CSA project’s reprogramming, YOUNETPO plans to transform the recommendations from this dialogue into actionable programs to be implemented in the project’s second phase.
Tiah emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with policymakers, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to effectively address these issues. In Bong County, YOUNETPO is working to strengthen the capacity of the Health Facility Development Committees (HFDC) to ensure members fully understand their roles and responsibilities. These committees, made up of community members, serve as a critical oversight body at the clinic level, similar to a board of directors.
Tiah reaffirmed YOUNETPO’s commitment to amplifying community voices and ensuring that the issues raised during the policy dialogue are addressed. Through active engagement with the government, policymakers, and other stakeholders, YOUNETPO remains optimistic that meaningful changes will be made to strengthen Liberia’s health system. These efforts reflect the organization’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that the concerns of the community are heard and acted upon.
Mercy G. Dunbar, USAID Civil Society Activity community mobilizer for Margibi and Montserrado Counties, extended her appreciation to YOUNETPO, the stakeholders, and the participants for their involvement in the dialogue. She acknowledged that with their shared vision and collective efforts, they are paving the way for Liberia to become a prosperous nation. Dunbar encouraged participants to continue working together, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in shaping the society they aspire to create.
