MOH Trains 70 to Boost Maternal Care

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has concluded a two-day theoretical and practical training session for private health providers across Liberia.

The intensive exercise aimed to strengthen collaboration between public and private health facilities and enhance the capacity of health workers to deliver improved maternal and newborn care services.

The training, which brought together seventy (70) participants including nurses, midwives, physician assistants, and administrators from private health facilities, focused on strengthening their technical knowledge in identifying high-risk pregnancies, recognizing maternal and newborn danger signs, and making timely referrals to save lives.

Participants received lectures and hands-on practical sessions on the appropriate use of the pantograph a critical tool for monitoring labor and newborn resuscitation techniques.

These skills are expected to improve early detection and management of complications during childbirth.

Coordinated by the Ministry’s Family Health Division in collaboration with the Montserrado County Health Team, Private Health Associations, and international partners, the training aligns private health providers with national strategies and global best practices in maternal and newborn health.

According to MOH officials, private health facilities play a crucial role in delivering health services to a significant portion of the population, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.

Strengthening their capacity is therefore a key component of the government’s broader strategy to achieve universal health coverage and reduce preventable deaths.

For many participants, the training offered new insights into standardized care practices.

The initiative comes at a time when Liberia continues to face high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, despite significant progress over the last decade.

According to the 2022 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS), the maternal mortality ratio remains among the highest in the sub-region, with hemorrhage, infection, and obstructed labor listed as major causes of death.

Officials say subsequent training sessions will be rolled out in other counties to ensure nationwide impact.

The Ministry is also exploring ways to strengthen monitoring and supervision mechanisms to ensure that skills acquired during the training are applied consistently in daily practice.

Health authorities believe that by bridging the gap between public and private health systems, Liberia can accelerate progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with private health associations and development partners to expand training opportunities, improve service delivery, and ensure that every mother and child receives quality healthcare, regardless of where they seek services.