The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Liberia has launched a three-day national consultative workshop aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths across the country.
Organized in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development agencies, the workshop—taking place from November 10 to 13, 2025, in Monrovia—brings together County Health Teams from all 15 counties, alongside representatives from UN bodies, NGOs, civil society groups, professional associations, and frontline health workers.
Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto said the initiative forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to ensure that “every mother survives childbirth and every child survives delivery.”
“We must act with urgency,” Dr. Kpoto stressed. “Understanding the data helps us confront the realities and design evidence-based solutions.”
She highlighted recent improvements in staffing and service delivery, attributing them to enhanced support systems and stronger partnerships. The minister also commended President Joseph N. Boakai and Liberia’s development partners for their continued investment in the health sector.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Deputy Representative Leonard Kamugisha urged faster progress toward Liberia’s target of a 40% reduction in maternal deaths by 2029, calling for “high-impact interventions, stronger domestic funding, and cross-sector collaboration.”
Kamugisha expressed concern over the 2026 draft national budget, which allocates only US$40,000 for family planning and US$30,000 for maternal and child health programmes, appealing to lawmakers to increase funding.
“This roadmap should not be just another document,” he emphasized. “It must be a covenant with Liberia’s women and girls, that every mother matters and every birth counts.”
Dr. Nuntia Gbalon, Director of the MOH’s Family Health Division, urged participants to hold open discussions to ensure the new roadmap aligns with the realities of Liberia’s healthcare system at both national and community levels.
Representatives from professional bodies, UN agencies, and NGOs pledged continued support through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building to help cut maternal and newborn deaths nationwide.