Health Sector Gets US$47 Million Yearly From U.S.

The United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Deborah Malac, has disclosed that the U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development will as of 2015 provide nearly US$47million annually to support Liberia’s Health System.She said this was in line with the National Health and Social Welfare Policy and Plan.

Ambassador Malac added that the U.S. Government is also committed to supporting the restoration of basic health services and strengthening the post-Ebola health system in line with Liberia’s investment plan for building a resilient health system.

The U.S envoy made the disclosure Thursday during the launch of the USAID Collaborative Support for Health Program & the Partnership for Advancing Community Services (PACS) held at a local hotel in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor.

She indicated that at the core the U.S health development program in Liberia is a direct support to the Ministry of Health- through the U.S “Fixed Reimbursement Agreement (FARA) which supports the delivery of basic health services in over 200 health facilities covering more than one-third of Liberia’s population across the six counties of Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado and Grand Bassa.

She pointed out that to further support implementation of the essential packages of health services at the national level and in targeted counties, the U.S. Government will work closely with the Liberian Government to design two technical support programs aimed at assisting the ministry of health to build human and institutional capacity in the health system.

Ambassador Malac emphasized that the program which will last for a five-year period, is estimated at US$32.4 million for the USAID Collective support for health and will be led by Management Science for Health (MSH) and its partners , aimed at strengthening the health system at central, county and facility level.

She said the partnership for advancing community based services, a five-year program estimated at US$25.8 million which will be led by the International Rescue Committee, is aimed at strengthening health and social welfare at the community level.