Health Ministry Receives 35 Motorcycles, 2 Ambulances

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities or UNFPA has presented 35 motorcycles and 2 ambulances to the Ministry of Health authorities to be used for the maternal motility rate in Liberia.

The UNFPA described the maternal motility rate in Liberia as too high and at such, it needed serious consideration. Speaking last weekend at the Ministry of Health during the presentation ceremony, UNFPA Country Representatives Oluremi Sogunro alarmed that maternal mortality rate was causing serious problem for women in Liberia, saying: “we notice this issue has been a problem and we at the UNFPA are aware of the many challenges that this poses on the health sector, and at such, we got some funding from partners to support efforts toward minimizing the maternal mortality rate in Liberia; it is from this backdrop we want to present this to you”.

According to Mr. Sogunro, the UNFPA was working in three counties, including Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Lofa. He said the two ambulances can be used in Grand Cape Mount and Lofa counties to convey pregnant women, while, and the other must be used by surveillance team in those counties.

He expressed the UNFPA’s commitment to helping the government in achieving its goals. “We know how to save almost all women who die giving life. The first step is to ensure they can plan their pregnancies and space their births. Skilled birth attendance at delivery, with backup emergency obstetric care and essential supplies in place, are also critical,” he noted.

He said the most challenging aspect of reducing maternal death and disability was finding ways to reach all women- even those in the poorest most remote areas, or in times of natural or man-made disasters – something, he said, involves bolstering health systems.

According to him, it was also critical that pregnant women are able to access all the care they need, from prenatal HIV testing to post-natal care for newborns, at the same clinic or health centre – an approach that saves money and saves lives.

Receiving the donation from the UNFPA, the Minister of Health, Dr. Bernice Dahn expressed gratitude to the UN agency, promising that the donation would be used for its intended purpose at the ministry.

Minister Dahn said the issue of maternal mortality in Liberia was worst. “I want to seize this opportunity to look forward with you and your partners in making sure that this issue is addressed,” she added.

By Lewis S. Teh-Edited by George Barpeen