Monrovia, 24 April 2015 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti has wrapped up her 3 day official visit to Liberia with a courtesy call on the President of Liberia, Her Excellency, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Welcoming Dr Moeti, the President congratulated her for having been elected as Regional Director of WHO for the African Region. She also expressed her gratitude to WHO for being a good partner in health development and said that the organization has contributed tremendously in building capacity for Ebola virus Disease outbreak response. The President looked forward to the same level of support from WHO in the Post Ebola recovery period.

The Regional Director applauded the strong leadership that President Sirleaf and the government of Liberia had demonstrated in responding to the Ebola virus Disease outbreak and noted the good progress which the country has made in turning down the epidemic. Dr Moeti also acknowledged the high level of community engagement and the positive impact it has had on the overall response. She underscored the critical role and support by WHO and other partners in the implementation of the national investment plan for rebuilding the health system to make it more effective in responding to the health needs of the Liberian people.

Speaking at a press briefing before her departure, Dr Moeti said that one of her priorities was to support countries in building stronger health systems. She said that countries in the African region continued to face a lot of challenges which included a high burden of communicable diseases, a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, diseases outbreaks, weak health and limited resources compounded by shortages of qualified human resources. “There is need to strengthen health systems in countries, many of the countries do not have sufficient capacity to respond to disease outbreaks” said the Regional Director.

The visit to Liberia is the last leg of her tour of the countries severely affected by the Ebola virus disease outbreak since she assumed office as regional Director on 1st February 2015.

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