The National Community Health Program of the Ministry of Health, with support from Last Mile Health, recently concluded a two-day retreat for Community Health Services Supervisors (CHSS) and District Health Officers (DHOs) in Grand Bassa County.
Held from March 25-26, 2025, the retreat gathered numerous community health workers to evaluate the program’s achievements, identify challenges, and explore strategies for enhancing community health services across Liberia.
During the event, Dr. Jude Whesseh, the Grand Bassa County Health Officer (CHO), addressed significant issues such as maternal mortality, the referral process, holistic supervision, sanitation, rebuilding confidence in community health workers, and the importance of clinical practice and service delivery.
Dr. Whesseh emphasized the critical role of effective communication and professional discipline in improving healthcare outcomes in rural and underserved communities.
Ms. Nyonblee R. Topayoun, a CHSS from the Bokay Town Clinic in Grand Bassa County, shared her reflections from the discussions, noting that the retreat was a valuable opportunity to evaluate past efforts and address existing weaknesses.
“We have come together to assess challenges, recognize gains, and discuss the way forward based on our experiences over the years,” she said.
Participants engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening supervision methods and improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Another participant, a CHSS from the Orange Grove District and Michigan Clinic, highlighted key insights gained from the retreat.
She remarked, “We have learned a great deal about our roles and responsibilities as community health workers and the impact of our services on the community. We also reflected on past mistakes and discussed strategies for improving supervision and engagement.”
Participants pledged to implement the lessons learned by enhancing community collaboration and strengthening healthcare systems. Many expressed their commitment to ensuring that the knowledge gained is translated into practical solutions that enhance service delivery.
