The Ministry of Health, with support from UNFPA, has recruited and deployed three specialist doctors from Uganda to assist with strengthening the maternal and newborn health sector of Liberia. The three obstetricians and gynecologists, including Dr. Susan Kimono, Dr. Paul Muwanguzi and Dr. Rosette Namulindwa, are assigned in Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount and Lofa counties until the end of the year.
In addition to providing clinical services in those counties where they have been deployed, the Ugandan medical doctors are helping to build the capacity of their young Liberian counterparts through mentorship as well as supporting the overall maternal and newborn health delivery system.
“We are glad that you agreed to come to assist us as we work to improve the maternal and newborn health sector and reduce the number of women dying in childbirth in Liberia,” said Dr. Francis Kateh, Deputy Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer, Republic of Liberia on Monday 30 January when he received the three medical doctors on behalf of Health Minister, Dr. Bernice Dahn. According to Dr. Kateh, the presence of the three Ugandan doctors will help bridge the gap and accelerate progress towards building a reintegrated and strengthened maternal health care delivery system in Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Dr. Susan Kimono said they were glad for the opportunity to serve the people of Liberia. “We will do our best in the delivery of our tasks which are not to only provide medical services but also transfer of knowledge and mentorship to junior Liberian colleagues,” said Dr. Kimono. Since the launch of Liberia’s Investment Plan for Building a Resilient Health System in June 2015, UNFPA, the Ministry of Health and other partners have been working to ensure the availability of skilled health care providers.
It will also improve infrastructure and equipment needed to restore basic social services, including maternal and newborn health services after the Ebola epidemic that plagued the country between March 2014 and mid- 2015.
