PIH says it arrived in Liberia during the heat of the deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014 at the invitation of ex-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, October 28, 2024: Partners In Health (PIH) Liberia has recounted its numerous achievements since its operation in Liberia.
PIH is an international organization that saves lives by providing health care services to citizens in the southeastern part of Liberia, specifically in Maryland County.
The organization recently observed its tenth anniversary at its head office in Oldest Congo Town.
During the celebration, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government and development partners’ efforts to rebuild and strengthen the country’s health sector.
PIH said this will be done through the provision of health care services and the empowerment of local nurses and midwife technicians, among other measures.
PIH Liberia Executive Director Dr. Maxo Luma described the organization’s ten-year journey in Liberia as a historical moment. Dr. Luma said the organization started operating in Liberia in 2014.
He said PIH arrived in Liberia during the heat of the deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014 at the invitation of ex-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
He continued that during that period, they understood that deaths from Ebola couldn’t be attributed to Ebola alone.
Instead, he explained that the underbelly of Ebola was a weakened healthcare system facing significant challenges.
He told the audience that when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Liberia Ebola-free in 2016, PIH committed to accompanying the Government of Liberia in rebuilding, strengthening, and stabilizing the healthcare system in remote and underserved southeastern parts of the country.
“It’s hard to imagine that it’s already 10 years, and we are proud to gather here to reflect on this incredible journey alongside the government we have collectively made together,” he added.
Citing a few achievements, he said that since 2017, PIH has accompanied the government in developing the National Essential Package of Health Services, a critical step in achieving universal health coverage.
He explained that PIH also accompanied the National TB Program in revising and costing its national strategic plans, introducing shorter all-oral TB regimens, and providing social support to ensure better quality care and outcomes for patients.
According to him, PIH has supported the Liberian Board of Nursing and Midwifery in revising its community-based post and midwifery curriculum to advance the standard of training for nurses and midwives.
For his part, PIH Liberia Deputy Executive Director for System and Administration Wilfred Zeon said the organization working in Maryland County provides health care services to citizens in that part of the country.
He thanked all those who received awards and cautioned them to continue working for the organization and the country at large.
