At a well attended ceremony at the Monrovia City Hall, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Thursday July 11, 2024 officially launched the Global fund grant circle in Liberia.
Speaking at the official launching ceremony , President Boakai stated that his government’s commitment to improving healthcare is unwavering.
He assured the gathering that his administration will continue to prioritize the training and capacity-building of healthcare professionals, ensuring in order for them to have the skills and resources needed to provide high-quality care.
At the same time, the Liberian leader pledge to invest in strengthening the supply chain management systems to ensure that medications and medical supplies reach those who need them most in a timely and efficient manner.
According to him, The fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach and through the GC7 grant, his government in the health sector will enhance its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts for these diseases as well as implementing innovative strategies to reach key populations, reduce stigma and discrimination, and promote community engagement and ownership of health initiatives.
As part of the program, President Boakai told the gathering that healthcare technicians will focus on scaling up antiretroviral therapy, expanding access to HIV testing and counseling services particularly to high-risk population groups, and promoting HIV prevention measures such as condom distribution and awareness campaigns.
The program he stated will additionally prioritize interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, ensuring that every child born in Liberia has the opportunity to grow up healthy and HIV-free.
“Furthermore, we will improve multi-sectorial coordination and promote sustainability of the HIV response under the oversight of the National AIDS Commission”, he added.
In the fight against tuberculosis, the Chief Executive said they will strengthen the diagnostic capacity, ensuring that all individuals with TB are promptly identified and treated including enhancing its efforts to address multidrug-resistant TB, providing specialized care and support to those affected by this challenging form of the disease.
Malaria he lamented remains a significant public health challenge in Liberia, particularly for our most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and young children.
Through the GC7 grant, President Boakai stressed that they will intensify efforts to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets, support the National Malaria Control Program and stakeholders at all levels to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for malaria cases, and ensure timely, complete, and accurate data for decision making.
Speaking further he assured stakeholders and partners that they will continue to promote community-based interventions, empowering individuals and communities to take an active role in malaria prevention and control. A special focus will be on the reduction of gender and human rights-related barriers to optimal malaria prevention, testing, and treatment services.
All grants, HIV, TB, and Malaria, he pointed out will share a common vision of supporting resilient and sustainable systems for health with cross cutting, integrated interventions aligned with government policies and priorities.
He named areas of focus in strengthening its supply chain system as network of laboratories, community systems strengthening, health financing systems, monitoring and evaluation systems, and health sector planning and governance for integrated, people-centered services.
While acknowledging support from the Global Fund as instrumental in the fight against these diseases, President Boakai also recognize that sustainable progress requires a collective effort to ensure national buy-in and ownership.
According to him, The government of Liberia is fully committed to addressing the gaps in funding and ensuring that its co-financing commitments are met.
The Liberian leader assured partners that his government will work diligently to mobilize domestic resources, strengthen its financial management systems, and foster partnerships with other stakeholders to secure additional funding for Liberia’s health programs.
“We understand that the path to achieving our health goals is not without challenges, However, we are resolute in our determination to overcome these obstacles and build a healthier, more prosperous future for all Liberians”, he added.
He re-emphasized that his government will continue to prioritize health as a key pillar of the national development agenda, recognizing that a healthy population is the foundation for sustainable development and economic growth.
Officially aunching the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7, President Boakai used the ocassion to call upon all stakeholders —government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to join national government in said critical endeavor.
“Together, we can create a Liberia where no one is left behind, where every individual has access to quality healthcare, and where we can look forward to a future free from the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria”, he noted.
President Boakai at the same time expressed gratitude to the Global Fund, its donors, and all partners who have stood by Liberia in its journey towards a better health stating that their unwavering support and commitment are making a profound difference in the lives of the Liberian people.
President Boakai also reaffirm his administration’s collective commitment to health including work tirelessly towards achieving its shared vision of a healthier, more equitable world.
“It is in this light that I take such great pride and deep satisfaction to announce the total approved amount given under the Grant for the people of Liberia to accelerate the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria and to strengthen our health systems,
The amount is One hundred and seventeen million, five hundred and forty-six thousand, six hundred and seventy United States dollars (US$117,546,670)”, he officially informed the gathering on Thursday July 11, 2024.
He stressed that such substantial investment underscores the international community’s confidence in their ability to turn the tide against these diseases and transform Liberia’s healthcare landscape.
And as we marvel at the size of this donation and sprint toward the set targets, let me remind you that the best way to acknowledge, appreciate and thank donors is to be judicious, smart, frugal, transparent, and purposeful use of their donation. I trust we can and will do just that, he said.
The Chief Executive indicated that the significant occasion marks a renewed commitment to combating the epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria diseases that have for so long plagued the nation and hindered its progress.
He also emphasized that the Government and people of Liberia remain eternally grateful to all funding donors of the Global Fund who make their work possible, making lives healthier and longer.
Hailing them further , he stated that the Global Fund has been an invaluable partner to Liberia over the years, supporting the nation’s development agenda by contributing tirelessly to its healthcare system, providing crucial support in the fight against these deadly diseases.
According to him, The GC7 grant is a testament to the Global Fund’s unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes in countries like Liberia, where the need is great, the challenges are many, and the opportunities, few.
He said such grant will not only consolidate the gains Liberia has made over the years but it will also strengthen and accelerate the national response to HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
“As we embark on this new phase of our partnership with the Global Fund, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant strides we have made thus far and through previous grants, we have expanded access to essential health services, increased the availability of life-saving medications, and improved our healthcare infrastructure”, he lamented.
Moreover, President Boakai recognize that much work remains to be done and is certain that GC7 grant will enable Liberia to build on these achievements, ensuring that its healthcare system is more resilient, efficient, and accessible to all Liberians.
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