Abuja, Nigeria – Liberia is a country that is heavily reliant on external financing with 71% of total health expenditure being external, 7% from domestic revenue, and the rest from individuals that according to a report submitted to the ECOWAS parliament by the Liberian delegation
However, there are several plans from the Health Sector of Liberia aimed at improving it.
According to the report, as a lesson learned from the EBOLA crisis (2014 to 2016) which caused scores of Liberians including foreign residents to lose their lives due to weak health systems, hospitals lacking electricity or running water, and often not enough medical doctors, nurses, or midwives, staff lack training and essential equipment and drugs often unavailable, the current situation then laid bare, sufficient reasons for the Government of Liberia to build a national health architecture that can better respond to the future health crisis.
Weighing in on the Liberian Report, Representative Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante of Andomi-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, challenged the Liberian government to increase internal funding and take responsibility for its health sector.
He said: “I would want members of parliament who are from Liberia to go back home and have a retreat and seek ways that properly fund the health sector before it becomes an emergency, outside funding May not give you enough to do the foundational issues.
“As a member of the ECOWAS community Liberia health funding is a concern for me because we are all brothers and sister so I am appealing to the Liberian government to increase internal funding and take responsibility for the health sector of Liberia.”
With the case of COVID-19 accounting for little over 3% mortality rate and giving the history of EBOLA impact on Liberia he said, he would expect that, the government of Liberia will treat issues affecting its health sector as a National emergency.
“In that report, I saw something that baffles me which is about 71% of funds to the health sector comes from outside? Will you keep trusting God that people from outside will keep you money to take care of the health of your people? Why if they stop because they too have their citizens to cater to and have economic constraints.”
Status of COVID- 19
To date, Liberia has recorded a little over 7, 432 infections and 294 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As the health situation stands presently, and mindful that the risk of disease outbreak is an ever-present threat, the Government of the Republic of Liberia through its Ministry of Health has embarked on a nationwide COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN with the communities as primary targets.
Additionally, monitoring the status of the COVID-19 by periodically updating required traveling regulations to ensure straight compliance with COVID-19 protocols is being prioritized.
COVID- 19 Revised Protocol for Travelers
As such, all incoming travelers 18 years and above will have to be “fully Vaccinated” and MUST show valid proof of COVID-19 Vaccination upon arrival in Liberia or present a negative COVID-19 Test result no earlier than 72 hours before departure.
“Also, all travelers without proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be returned to their country of embarkation at the expense of the airline. For those traveling out of Liberia, such persons are encouraged to be Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19 and follow the destination country’s COVID-19 Protocol requirement(s).