The Indian Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, on Monday, February 10, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to Health Minister, Dr. Louise Kpoto at her office in Congo Town, marking robust diplomatic and healthcare ties between Liberia and India.
The meeting, however, comes at a critical time as Liberia faces the ongoing closure of USAID support to its health and other sectors, raising concerns about the sustainability of healthcare services in the country.
During the visit, Ambassador Verma and Minister Kpoto engaged in discussions centered on ongoing collaborations and potential initiatives to enhance Liberia’s healthcare infrastructure and capacity-building efforts, particularly in the fields of healthcare and medical research.
The discussions were also centered around ongoing collaborations and potential areas of cooperation that could benefit Liberia’s health sector, including training for healthcare professionals, provision of essential medicines, and development of sustainable healthcare solutions.
Amb. Verma also expressed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in Liberia’s health sector, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.
The Ambassador further reaffirmed India’s commitment to continuing such programs, emphasizing the importance of skill development in building a resilient healthcare system for Liberia.
India, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” has been supplying quality yet affordable pharmaceuticals to Liberia, with their Ambassador discussions focusing on further enhancing this support by expanding access to life-saving medicines and vaccines.
In response, Health Minister Louise Kpoto acknowledged the ongoing support from India in the health sector and highlighted the critical role of international partnerships in addressing Liberia’s healthcare challenges.
She expressed appreciation for India’s contributions to making healthcare services more accessible and affordable, particularly through the supply of high-quality, cost-effective pharmaceutical products.
The Minister also appreciated India for hosting a batch of 27 Liberian Nurses at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, for a specialized capacity-building program on “Nursing Leadership and Management” under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
