Liberia
Post-Conflict Health Sector Reform
Liberia is emerging from more than 15 years of conflict. A heavily donor-dependent country with an under-five mortality rate of 235/100,000 (compared to the sub-Saharan average of 102/100,000) and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world (580/100,000), Liberia is currently taking action to transform and strengthen its weakened health sector.
The Liberian health system faces critical post-conflict financing issues. The government contribution to total health expenditures, estimated at 16.8 percent, is one of the lowest in the world (the average for sub-Saharan Africa is 50 percent). Donors finance 50 percent of total health expenditures and households 33.3 percent. About 80 percent of the health services are provided by NGOs. Due to the high level of poverty (GDP per capita is US$130 compared to $879 for sub-Saharan Africa and $373 for low-income countries), Liberia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has suspended the administration of user fees at the primary health care level.
The goal of Health Systems 20/20’s technical assistance in Liberia is to help the MOHSW make rapid, visible progress in health financing in terms of equity, accountability, and impact on health (use of essential services). Health Systems 20/20 is assisting the MOHSW develop the policy by completing a benefits incidence analysis to measure equity, an analysis of demographic trends and fiscal constraints, and consulting stakeholders such as county health officials, the NGO community, donors, and other ministries.
Long-term advisor, Tesfaye Dereje, is stationed within the MOHSW to provide continuity and support to the ministry and to coordinate with other external assistance partners.
To improve and support Liberia's capacity to train health workers, Health Systems 20/20 is facilitating a donation of over 20,000 books to health professional schools in Liberia via the
- Health Systems 20/20's strategic plan for transformation of Liberia's JFK Medical Center.
- Expanding Use and Understanding of National Health Account Data in Liberia
- Strengthening the National AIDS Commission in Liberia
- International Book Bank Donation to Health Training Institutions in Liberia
Technical Assistance for Health Systems Development: Benefits for HIV/AIDS Programs
Jun 2011 | Health Systems 20/20 | Presentation
Cote d'Ivoire, Guyana, India, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique
Health Financing Expert Returns from Liberia
Nov 28 2011Lawyers Provide Pro Bono Assistance in Liberia
Jan 4 2011Liberia Receives Donation of Over 20,000 Books for Health Training Institutions
Apr 6 2010To improve and support Liberia's capacity to train health workers, Health Systems 20/20 has facilitated the donation of over 20,000 books and other educational materials to health professional schools in Liberia via the International Book Bank.
More...A Strategic Plan for Transformation of Liberia's JFK Medical Center
Mar 11 2009Following 14 years of civil war, which destroyed most of Liberia’s health infrastructure, efforts are underway to return Liberia’s JFK Medical Center into the outstanding tertiary and teaching hospital it once was for Liberia and the rest of West Africa.
More...Health Systems 20/20 Launches NHA in Liberia
Apr 1 2008Working directly with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Health Systems 20/20 has successfully launched National Health Accounts (NHA) in Liberia. NHA is a tool being used today in more than 50 low- and middle-income countries to measure total public and private national health expenditures. Click here to read more about our work in Liberia.
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