The Minister of Health, Louise Mapleh Kpoto, officially opened the 2025 National Health Summit to combat maternal and neonatal mortality at the Farmington Hotel, Margibi County.
The summit, convened under the theme “Unlocking the Potential for Improved Health Outcomes: A Pathway to Maternal & Neonatal Mortality Reduction,” aims to address longstanding challenges in the country’s health system.
Throughout the summit, participants from all 15 counties, including county health officers, civil society representatives, and development partners, engaged in breakout sessions to discuss strategies for enhancing maternal and neonatal health services. Many commended the Ministry’s renewed focus on technology, equity, and service quality.
To recognize outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery, the Ministry of Health awarded several facilities and counties including Redemption Hospital, New Kru Town, was honored for significant improvements in sanitary conditions and service delivery, John F. Kennedy Medical Center received recognition for major improvements in the quality of sanitary standards and James N. Davis Jr. Memorial Hospital in Neezoo, Monrovia, was awarded for its commitment to healthcare service provision throughout 2024
While Grand Bassa County was celebrated for significant improvements in service delivery leading to better health outcomes, Nimba County received accolades for increased performance and best practices in maternal and child health and Bomi County was recognized for its innovative strategies and approaches to improving health outcomes.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Kpoto emphasized collective responsibility, real-time data systems, and the delivery of respectful, quality care as essential tools for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
She called on all stakeholders to unite around the principles of equity, quality, and accountability.
“Every maternal death is a tragedy, and every newborn lost is a future unrealized,” she stated,
She announced the establishment of a dedicated data floor at the Ministry of Health to ensure real-time tracking of maternal and child health outcomes.
“We are not just talking anymore—we are moving towards implementation,” Minister Kpoto affirmed.
Minister Kpoto lauded the dedication and resilience of health sector workers.
“We’ve come from a challenging 2024, and this summit marks the beginning of a new era. We will hold ourselves accountable because our people deserve better,” she said.
Deputy Minister for Administration, Minister Martha C. Morris, reinforced the need for urgency and collaboration, describing the summit as a platform for “evidence-based solutions and actionable strategies.”
Her remarks set the stage for a national “Call to Action” document to be developed during the three-day event.
Montserrado County Health Officer, Jewel T. Kollie, echoed the summit’s focus, stressing the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure and training for frontline workers.
“Maternal and newborn health cannot be improved in isolation. We must build a stronger foundation, starting from the grassroots,” Kollie said.
Adding a governance perspective, Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant highlighted the importance of accountability and resource coordination.“This is not just a health issue—it’s a governance issue,”
Delivering the keynote address, Moses Massaquoi, Country Director of the Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL), presented alarming statistics showing that maternal mortality remained critically high between 2019 and 2020.
He called for expedited equity funding and rural infrastructure development,“This is a national emergency, and everyone has a role to play,”
Massaquoi urged, cautioning against mismanagement of health resources such as emergency vehicles.
Representing international partners, Olushayo Olu, WHO Representative to Liberia, praised the government’s efforts to strengthen the health sector under President Joseph N. Boakai’s leadership.
He called for further investments in maternal and newborn healthcare, equitable access to quality services, and greater focus on social and economic determinants of health.
Olu reaffirmed the commitment of health partners to support Liberia’s drive toward improved healthcare outcomes.
