President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has assured a resilient, efficient, and accessible health system for Liberians as his government strives to build a better Liberia.
The Liberian leader spoke on Thursday in Monrovia while launching the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 for strengthening the health system in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases.
Boakai reassured donors of his government’s binding and unifying commitment to improving healthcare in response to pandemic preventions. “Our commitment to improving healthcare is unwavering. We will continue to prioritize training and capacity-building of our healthcare professionals, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to provide high-quality health services for Liberians,” the President said.
He acknowledged the importance of the GC7 Grant, which he said has been hugely helpful to Liberia under two previous occasions, expanding access to essential quality health services and increasing the availability of lifesaving medications and infrastructure. However, he recognized that there is still much work to be done.
He said that this year’s GC7 Grant will enable Liberia to build on previous achievements and ensure that the healthcare system is more resilient, efficient, and accessible for everyone.
President Boakai describes the funds as a testament to the Global Fund’s unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes globally, with Liberia being no exception. He emphasized that the new face of partnership with the Global Fund is crucial to Liberia in confronting health challenges, despite the significant strides made over the years.
He highlighted the GC7 Grant launch as a boost to renew commitments to combating a pandemic that has for so long hindered Liberia’s progress. His government and people will remain internally grateful to all funding donors of the Global Fund.
The President also applauded the Global Fund, which he said has been an unbeatable partner to Liberia, supporting the nation’s development agenda over the years by contributing tirelessly to the healthcare system and providing crucial support in fighting deadly diseases.
In her part, Madam Caty Fall Sow, the head of Africa and Middle East for the Global Fund, appreciated the government of Liberia for their continuous fight against these diseases—HIV, TB, and malaria—while building a resilient health sector.
She stressed that global health remains an increased priority, amid increasingly fragile global economic conditions, and that coordinated efforts from everyone can help respond to these challenges. She reiterated acknowledgments to Global Fund donors for their continuous support.
Madam Sow said the Global Fund’s replenishment shows unwavering commitments to $15.7 billion USD, in addition to a $5 billion grant, to fight Covid and has mitigated on the same path for programs on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Global Fund’s head for Africa and the Middle East, Madam Sow, also commended the Liberian Coordinating Mechanism (LCM) Secretariat for implementing Global Fund programs. “We are encouraged by your dedication to ensuring the implementation of country health programs and Global Fund goals,” Madam Sow said.
On behalf of the National Legislature, Senator Dabah M. Varpilah, Chair of the Health Committee in the Senate, reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to ensuring continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders, ministries, and agencies to allocate significant funds towards the health sector.
She urged the government to expand revenue allocated toward the health system of the country, which will boost the fight in response to pandemic preventions and improve the country’s health sector.
She reflected on the high number of maternal and newborn health issues, attributing many to the danger of the three diseases the GC7 Grant is supporting. Senator Varpilah decried the weakened health system in rural Liberia and urged for more support.
