By Vaye A. Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – Sister Aid Liberia, with support from the African Population and Health Research Center, has engaged the Joint Health Committee of the Liberian Legislature in a high-level dialogue. The discussions centered on the long-pending Public Health Bill, with a particular focus on addressing critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure and services, especially in maternal health.
The dialogue comes on the heels of a comprehensive oversight visit by the Joint Health Committee to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) on January 31, 2025. Led by Senator Dabah M. Varpilah, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, the visit aimed to assess the operational challenges facing Liberia’s largest referral hospital. The committee identified urgent needs, including the procurement of essential medical equipment such as a 1,000kva standby generator, a CT scan machine, and ultrasound devices, as well as improvements in facilities for high-risk maternal care.
Dr. Linda Birch, Chief Executive Officer of JFK, emphasized the need for increased budgetary support to address these deficiencies. “The current shortages are severely impacting our ability to provide optimal patient care,” she stated. “Immediate intervention is critical to ensure that we can meet the growing healthcare demands of the population.”
Senator Varpilah, in response, pledged to strengthen the Legislature’s collaboration with JFK and other healthcare institutions. She also reiterated her commitment to revisiting the Public Health Bill, particularly with the involvement of civil society organizations like Sister Aid Liberia and healthcare professionals. “The bill is not just about one issue; it’s about addressing the broader health challenges facing our nation,” she said.
However, the bill’s progress has been hampered by controversy surrounding its abortion clause, which has sparked heated debate. Senator Varpilah acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue but stressed that the abortion component is only a small part of the bill. “We must not lose sight of the bigger picture,” she noted. “This bill is about improving maternal care, preparing for emerging diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, and strengthening our overall health system.”
Representative Julie Fatorma Wiah, Chair of the House Health Committee, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the bill’s comprehensive scope. “The Public Health Bill addresses a wide range of urgent issues, from disease prevention to healthcare infrastructure. It’s time we focus on the collective benefits it offers to all Liberians,” she said.
Amelia Siaffa, Acting Executive Director of Sister Aid Liberia, praised Senator Varpilah’s openness to dialogue and collaboration. “Regular engagement between lawmakers and civil society is crucial to ensuring that the bill reflects the needs of the people it aims to serve,” Siaffa remarked. She emphasized that the bill’s impact extends beyond women and girls, calling for unity and a pragmatic approach to moving forward. “Let us not allow one contentious issue to overshadow the broader benefits this bill can bring to our nation,” she urged.
The Public Health Bill, initially submitted to the Legislature by President George Weah in February 2020, seeks to modernize Liberia’s health system by integrating fragmented laws and addressing current and future challenges. The House of Representatives passed the bill in July 2022, but its progress in the Senate has been slow, partly due to the abortion clause controversy.
In a promising development, Senator Varpilah has committed to convening a public hearing to gather broader input on the bill. This inclusive approach is seen as a critical step toward building consensus and ensuring that the final legislation aligns with the needs of Liberia’s healthcare system and its people.
