—- Vows to Join Fight Against Malaria; As MOH-Partners Launches Malaria Vaccine on World Malaria Day
IPNEWS: The Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa says the Legislature in close consultation with President Joseph Boakai, an additional US$9 million for the Ministry of Health in its current 57,871,358 million stated in the fiscal 2024 draft national budget.
The revelation by Speaker Koffa now puts the budget for the Ministry of Health at a total sum of US$66,871,358 million now for the health sector.
Speaker Koffa made the disclosure of the additional fund to the MOH when he delivered the keynote address at the observance of World Malaria Day and official launch the first ever World Health Organization Pre-Qualified Malaria Vaccine for children 5-15 months at the Gbelia Town, referral Hospital in Rivercess County on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Alongside the world Malaria Day celebration, the government of Liberia assured citizens about the reintroduction and mass distribution of Insecticide-treated bed net distribution campaign.
The Grand Kru County Electoral District #2 Representative stressed that due to the excellent work of Health Minister, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, he and Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence have jointly agreed with President Boakai to identify additional revenue for the Ministry.
“The Minister is an excellent politician. The Pro-Temp and I sat down with the President yesterday [Wednesday, April 24, 2024] and our budget committee has done an excellent job in identifying additional revenue. So Madam Minister, I’m sure the President will inform you that through negotiation yesterday between me and the Pro-temp with him, we will fund an additional nine million dollars for you,” Speaker Koffa averred.
The Speaker of the 55th National Legislature stressed that the national government, especially the House of Representatives, remains committed to standing with and supporting the Ministry of Health to help, manage and improve the nation’s health sector.
He further emphasized the need for the government to arrive at a point were seeking advanced medical treatment abroad is not still considered as a better option, while the ordinary citizens who cannot afford to take international flight suffer.
“Because, let’s fix it. Only 1% of our people can afford to do that. I’m not allowed to go abroad for medical care not because I cannot afford it, but because my wife works at JFK and she will not allow me to so I try to seek all my medical attention at JFK,” he indicated.
According to him, if all government health facilities are strengthened across the country, they will provide equal healthcare for all citizens irrespective of the status or background attached, adding that service delivery will not be based on what an individual has or what he or she can afford but what the government is providing for its citizens.
Referencing the theme of the World Malaria Day, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”, Speaker Koffa described healthcare as a social justice issue in Liberia, noting that women and children are the most affected by the malaria disease.
“The health of a nation is extremely important, and I don’t think any child growing up in the 60s, 70s, 80s or whatever has grown without experiencing at least malaria once a year. It has been common to our livelihood and existence and it has been devastating to our lives and our economy,”
“Even if we were to close our eyes on the injustice and inequality that is malaria, we as a country cannot grow economically without dealing with malaria; the absenteeism from work that destroys productivity at work, the colossal burden of malaria treatment on the national budget and household income all conspire to make malaria an albatross around the neck of our economy. We are told by the United Nations and other researchers that malaria imposes the “growth penalty” of 1.3% every year which when compounded over the years is substantial barrier to Liberia overcoming poverty. The time to act has to be now! We must bring investment through the budget together with disciplined execution reverse the negative trend we are currently witnessing.” he noted.
At the same time, the House Speaker expressed excitement over what he termed as a good oversight on the part of Minister Kpoto for leaving the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town and thought to host and celebrates the World Malaria Day and the launch of the Malaria Vaccine in River Cess County, where malaria cases are on the increase.
He added that the House of Representatives remains committed to supporting and making available the needed resources for proper medical care.
“We will continue to work with the Ministry of Health and the President has committed himself to this as well,” Speaker Koffa said.
