A high-power delegation comprising Liberian healthcare professionals is currently participating in a two day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Healthcare Federation of West Africa (HFWA), currently taking place in Accra, Ghana.
The Healthcare Federation of West Africa annual general meeting, brings together over 50 participants from across West Africa to address key issues including, the Countries’ Federations achievements, challenges, and collaborations with their individual Ministries of Health.
In attendance are the Presidents of the Healthcare Federations of 11 West African Countries, including Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’ Voire, Sierra Leone, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Benin and Mali.
Heads of the World Health Organization (WHO), West Africa, the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC), among others are also participating in the high-level regional discussion.
Momolu S. Johnson, President of the Healthcare Federation of Liberia (HFL), pushed for more collaboration with the Ministries of Health in members Countries – whilst advocating for a broader way forward in finding solutions to resource mobilisation and management in the absence of USAID and other fundings.
“Today, I re-affirm the urgent need for public-private integration to build an inclusive, and sustainable system across West Africa’s healthcare ecosystem”, HFL President – Momolu Johnson.
The Liberian envoy at the same time highlighted the need for deeper collaboration of Liberia’s healthcare Federation with the Ministry of Health in finalizing the Liberia Health Equity Fund policy document.
The document is a health insurance mechanism tool that aims to provide healthcare coverage for everyone in the Country – regardless of their socio-economic, and or religious statuses.
During his presentation, Johnson emphasized the importance of capacity building programs for private healthcare workers across the region.
Highlighting key challenges, President Johnson said, “the major challenge is getting a project. Till now, the HFL has not been able to source funding from anywhere, even though a lot has done to seek sponsors for some of our activities”.
The high-level Healthcare Federation of West Africa annual general gathering is expected to climax with the election of the Executive Board of that august body.
Johnson has however, nominated Dr. Nicole Cooper, CEO and Medical Director of Wellness Partners Clinic, to serve as second Vice President of the Federation. Dr. Cooper is the past President of the group.
He believes, if elected to the HFWA executive board, she will serve the healthcare community with dedication and sincerely.
“Liberia’s representation on the Executive Board of the Healthcare Federation of West Africa, will be an added advantage to the Healthcare Federation of the Country”, Mr. Johnson noted.
In 2020, Liberia joined HFWA with a goal to unify the private health sector, foster collaboration, and create an enabling environment for health care in the Country.
