Monrovia, 8th December, 2016 - The Ministry of Health, Liberia in collaboration with its partners and with the support of the World Health Organization today, launched the National Policy and Strategic Plan on Health Promotion (2016-2021).  The overall goal is to strengthen health promotion implementation at the National, County and Community levels. The National Policy and Strategic Plan addresses the social determinants of health and aims to improve the quality of health in line with the Government of Liberia’s “Investment plan for Building a Resilient Health System”.

At the launching ceremony Dr Samson Arzoaquoi, the Assistant Minister of Health for Preventive Services, representing the Dr Francis Kateh Deputy Minister of Health/CMO, congratulated the Health Promotion Division on developing the Policy and Strategic Plan and the Liberia Media kit which will guide and support implementation of health promotion across the country. Dr Arzoaquoi expressed his special appreciation to WHO and to other key partners for supporting the process; he then officially launched the National Policy and Strategic plan on Health Promotion and Media Kit.

The Director of the Health Promotion Division, Ministry of Health, Reverend John Sumo in his remarks, restated the commitment of the ministry to ensure that Liberians attain the highest possible standard of health through their full participation in mitigating risks. He noted that with support from partners the capacity of community radio journalists in health reporting has been strengthened, risk communication plan is being implemented, and distance learning by way of radio for community health volunteers has been established. Reverend Sumo appreciated the continued support from partners including the WHO for their health promotion efforts.

Dr Alex Gasasira, The World Health Organization Country Representation for Liberia, in his message read by Luwaga Liliane congratulated the Ministry of Health and its partners for this important milestone in the history of health promotion in Liberia. He appealed to all parties to ensure that the interventions stipulated in the National Policy and Strategic Plan on Health Promotion are implemented. Dr Gasasira pledged WHO’s continued technical and financial support to the Ministry of Health.

Others at the function who endorsed the National Policy and Strategic Plan on Health Promotion included Ag. Assistant Minister for Curative Services Dr Catherine Cooper; the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF); and representatives of a wide range of Liberian Civil Society Organizations and NGOs.

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For more information contact

Communication: Luwaga Liliane, Email:luwagal [at] who.int" target="_blank"> luwagal [at] who.int