The almost 15 year- old war did not only take away the lives of thousands of Liberians, but also dealt an indelible blow to the nation’s health sector. This is why with the consistent support of the international community; past administrations have weighed ample focuses on resuscitating the sector.

That seems not enough, so the government has stepped into the fold, tracking appositive international donor assistance to keep the sector alive and vibrant, and that has led to the government of Great Britain providing a timely assistance in the tone of US$8 million dollars.

	• Dr. Walter Gwenigale

Reporter Nathaniel Daygbor picks up the story.

Due to the shortage of trained medical doctors in the country, the government of Liberia through the Health Ministry, with a donation of the US$8M from the United Kingdom, is about to engage the services of 41 medical doctors from other parts of world to boost the health sector of the country, officials say.

Meanwhile, the government has established a ‘Health Sector Fund’ with an initial contribution of US$8 million from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) to the Ministry Health and Social Welfare.

According to the Minister of Health Walter Gwenigale, the US$8m is to cover the period of two years.  Already US$4 million of the said amount has been transferred to its accounts at Ecobank, Liberia.

Dr. Gwenigale said the money will be used for four main objectives including sending for trained medical doctors from parts of the world to help improved the health sector. “We're thinking about 41 doctors from Cuba because they always produce doctors who go out to other countries,” he said.

Speaking at a news conference Thursday at his Capital Hill office, Dr. Gwenigale said the government would construct a reference Laboratory and a Blood bank, renovate the 120-bed room hospital in Foyah District, Lofa County, and improve the Esther Bacon School of Nursing and Midwifery. 

Minister Gwenegale revealed: “The Center was forcibly closed in1993 following looting and destruction of the hospital compound that hosted the school”.

He pointed out that in the coming months, the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare intends to use the pool fund to expand access to the basic package of health services, to help finance the Clinics Rebuilding Program, and further increase the supply of health professionals available to provide the life saving services people need.

He then explained that wide range of organizations and donors active in the health sector are contributing importantly to the delivery of health services, but the number poses challenges in achieving alignment behind the national health plan, with excessive.

Transaction costs for the Liberian government and government’s decision to establish a supervised basket or pool fund in the health sector to support implementation of the basic Heath package.

He said the pool fund will be headed by Jacob Houghes recommended by British government. Along with a Steering Committee, Mr. Houghes will manage the health pool fund in close consultation with the Health Ministry.

He disclosed that the entire country has only 122-trained medical doctors out the amount 51 of them are Liberians while 30 only are practicing medicines, something he said is troubling for nation, and they the Health Ministry are using every means available to them to increase the number.

Speaking also at the conference, the Representative of the Department for International Development to Liberia, Desmond Curran said providing for the health sector is very important.

He stressed that the establishment of the pool fund is a major change that will help to show transparency in the operation of the funds provided, and will reduce the burden of writing more reports and project proposals. He noted that other major donors have expressed interest in supporting the exercise.