MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Louise Kpoto, has launched Liberia’s National Health Taskforce. The task force was launched on Tuesday at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town.
By Francis G. Boayue
Minister Kpoto named Dr. Davis Sumo, chairman of the board of directors of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), as head of the task force.
Others appointed are:
- The Liberia Medical and Dental Council
- The Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA)
- The Liberia Pharmacy Board
- The Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA)
- The Ministry of Justice
- The National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUOL)
- The Independent Health Taskforce of Liberia
- The Minister of Health Ex-Officio
- The Chief Pharmacist, Republic of Liberia – (Secretary to the Board)
Dr. Kpoto further stated that the Ministry of Health’s goal is to build a healthcare system that operates with transparency and accountability, focusing on quality patient care and the provision of a conducive working environment for dedicated service providers.
“To achieve this, we have initiated strategic interventions, cardinal among which is the formation of the National Health Sector Task Force. The mandate of this Task Force is to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the health sector, both public and private, to identify and document the challenges and bottlenecks that have been hindering the provision of quality health services to our citizens.
“With particular emphasis on the monitoring of the distribution and appropriate utilization of medicines and medicinal products provided by both donors and the government to public healthcare institutions.
“This diverse composition will ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to addressing the systemic challenges that bedevil the health sector. The Task Force will work diligently to identify the root causes of issues such as the diversion and misappropriation of medicines and medical supplies destined for our hospitals and clinics. I am confident that the work of this National Health Sector Task Force will pave the way for a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of the Liberian people.”
The Health Minister encourageD all Liberians to support the work of the Task Force and to collaborate in building a resilient and robust healthcare system for Liberia. In the words of His Excellency, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, let us “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
