-For Use by Habitants in Southeastern Counties
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday, March 6, handed over to the Ministry of Health assorted medical items, which are part of the annual value of US$1.2 million.
The UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Bidishai Pillai informed the Minister of Health that that amount of money is what the UN specialized agency has set aside for Liberia this year, as it relates to helping it with essential assorted medical supplies aimed at reducing the health risks associated with pregnancies and childbirth.
Before she and the Minister of Health signed and exchanged notes, the UNFPA Country Representative appreciated the Ministry of Health for ensuring universal access for quality reproductive health services and facilities for all women and girls.
“We have been working to, not just reduce the number of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, but to also provide supports so that women and girls who do go to give birth, have access to safe delivery services,” Ms. Pillai said.
In order to achieve their objectives, she said the UNFPA supports the midwifery program, focuses on capacity building, focuses on providing the right equipment, and provides medical supplies. She also stated that they do provide HIV test kits and other life-saving materials and drugs in order to ensure that pregnant women and girls are safe when they go to give birth.
“On an average, I will say we spend about US$1.2 million annually to provide these equipment and other medical supplies. One of the things we know through research is that access to reliable supply of contraceptives whether it is pills or condoms or other forms of contraception, is absolutely essential to ensuring that women and girls have access to realizing their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Without that we won’t achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” she added.
The UNFPA CR assured the Health Minister that as partner, they are here to ensure that “every pregnancy is wanted, and that every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”
Earlier, a colleague of hers, Ms. Woseh Gobeh, UNFPA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist, giving the overview of UNFPA’s project, informed the Health Minister that UNFPA has been in Liberia for over 45 years.
Ms. Gobeh further stated that the donated items that were being presented to the Health Ministry were for two of their projects in Southeastern Liberia.
“We have been in the Southeast since 2014. We’ve been there to support primarily youth friendly sexual and reproductive health and rights services. As you know that part of the country is pretty much deprived and the health indicators were challenging at that time.”
She stated how happy they are to see that the results are getting better based on the last demography and health survey released by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS).
The UNFPA SRH Specialist also informed the Minister that in addition to what they are doing for the young people in that region, they are also helping to strengthen the health system so that it delivers quality maternal and newborn health services. “Over the years, we have been able to provide supports to these two projects ranging from donating medical equipment and supplies to providing technical support around training.”
The head of the Family Health Division at the Ministry of Health, Ms. Nowiah Gorpudolo-Dennis, stated as the Ministry is working toward fulfilling its first 100-day deliverables, there are lots of talks about supplies and their availabilities at the peripheral health facilities. She further stated that President Joseph N. Boakai is concerned that the impact of the health sector must be felt at the lowest level of the citizenry. “And that our Minister of Health has conveyed to us repeatedly. Even on our way here today, she again mentioned saying, ‘Anyone who will stand in the way of our first 100-day deliverables, you will have me to content with.’” She praised the Health Minister of being concerned and supportive towards her division.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Dr. (MD) Louise M. Kpoto, expressed how grateful the Liberian Government and people are to the UNFPA for the medical supplies and equipment, which are to be used by people in Rivercess, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, Grand Kru, River Gee and Maryland Counties.
“Looking at the items, I being an OBGYN (Obstetrician Gynecologist), who has been in the theatre many times, just looking at the Needle holder, makes me happy. Sometimes to even have needle holder in the theatre is so difficult; it makes it cumbersome to do surgery,” Dr. Kpoto stated.
She further stated that the donated items will make some hospitals in the Southeastern region to have an intensive care unit within their facilities so that they can monitor patients.
The Minister of Health assured the UNFPA Country Representative that the items donated will be used for their intended purposes and at the places they are intended to be used.
Both ladies then affixed their signatures and exchanged notes, which contained the list of items donated.
Among the items donated were 1000 Needle holders, Theatre Mobile Examination Lights, hospital beds and mattresses, etc.
Following the signing ceremony, both ladies were led on a guarded tour of the facilities by the World Food Program assigned person, which manages the Central Medical Stores on behalf of the Liberian Government.
