The West African College of Physicians has conferred on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf an honorary fellowship.

In a citation read by the President of the College, Dr. Patrick Coker of Sierra Leone, the College commended the Liberian leader for placing health care and education as the bedrock of the country's Poverty Reduction Strategy, against the backdrop of a destroyed and dysfunctional health care delivery system inherited upon the Liberian leader's ascendency to the Presidency nearly four years ago.

"Within four years of your Presidency," the West African College of Physicians noted, "the annual budget for health has increased significantly thereby making a tremendous impact on the lives of the people of this country."

Among other achievements, the Physicians noted, the President has instituted free health care services for vulnerable population, resulting in increased access to health care, especially to mothers and children.

The group also cited the President's strong advocate for medical education, noting the significant increase in funding for the medical school and the JFK teaching hospital, "exemplifying your zeal by your frequent visits to the A.M. Dogliotti Medical College."

The Doctors, according to an Executive Mansion release, also acknowledged the President's strong leadership role in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and improving Maternal and Child Care.

"In recognition of your various accomplishments in the area of health service provision in Liberia, and the recognition of this College that you are its principal advocate in Liberia and the West African Sub-region," the college said it was conferring on the President the honorary fellowship.

Responding, President Johnson Sirleaf thanked the West African College of Physicians for the honor and described it as recognition of the progress the Government has made in responding to the health needs of its people. The President described the honor as extraordinary, noting the seriousness she attaches to the recognition, coming from an institution she described as 'your own."

She lauded the College for hosting its annual meeting in Liberia and described the decision as a sign that Liberia is moving in the right direction. The President assured members and officials of the College of Government's continuous support.

About 154 doctors from a number of West African Countries have been meeting in Monrovia, marking the 33rd Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the West African College of Physicians.

The meeting which ends Thursday has brought together Vice Presidents of the West African College of Physicians, past presidents of the College and other senior officials of the College from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, the Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, among others.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was witnessed by Liberia's Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Walter Gwenigale and other senior Liberian health practitioners.