The NEWS (Monrovia)
C. Emmanuel Johnson
8 July 2008
Monrovia — The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have signed a maternal health project valued at US$3 million.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Walter Gwenigale signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while outgoing WHO Country Representative Dr. Eugene Nyarko and Rose Gakuba Resident Representative of UNFPA signed on behalf of their respective organizations.
Making remarks Friday at the signing ceremony held in Monrovia, UNFPA Resident Representative Rose Gakuba said the amount would be used for an eighteen months maternal health program in Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Rivercess, Bong and Nimba counties.
These counties, she said are said to have alarming rate of maternal mortality.
She said demographic survey in 2004, and recently in 2007 have shown an increased in Liberia maternal rate from 5,280 to 9,074 thus making Liberia the highest in the region.
She noted that the project would contribute in reducing the country's maternal mortality rate and improve maternal health in the targeted counties and the country.
For his part, the outgoing WHO Country Representative Dr. Eugene Nyarko said the project, estimated at US$3,325,680 million would be used to rehabilitate health facilities and reproductive health centers of the targeted counties.
He said the project would be implemented jointly by the WHO, UNFPA and the Liberian government.
Dr. Nyarko said the project was prepared by the three institutions a year ago, and sent to the Japanese's Government, in respond to the growing maternal rate in the country.
The Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Bernice Dahn said maternal mortality has been one of the major health problems over the years.
She commended WHO and UNFPA for designing a strategy to help government reduce the death rate of birth.
Health Minister Gwenigale also lauded the two organizations for their continuous assistance towards improving the country's health delivery program.
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