WHO mission reviews preparedness and health system needs across five counties in Liberia

Monrovia - As Liberia continues efforts to strengthen preparedness for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) and other public health threats, Dr Olushayo Olu, WHO Representative to Liberia, joined a field mission across Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland and Grand Kru counties from 8-13 June 2026 to engage county health teams, review preparedness measures and better understand local health priorities and system needs. Conducted in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), county health authorities and other partners, the visit provided an opportunity to engage frontline health workers and identify priorities for strengthening preparedness and health services.

Across the five counties, the mission provided valuable insights into local priorities and preparedness needs. Visits to key points of entry, including the Ganta-Guinea Border, Cape Palmas Seaport and PedeboGround Crossing, as well as health facilities such as J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital and Barclayville Health Center, offered an opportunity to review preparedness measures and identify priorities for strengthening readiness to respond to public health threats. Speaking at J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital in Maryland County, Dr Olu emphasized the importance of viewing preparedness beyond a single disease.

"We need to look at preparedness from a holistic point of view. Today we are discussing Bundibugyo virus disease, but tomorrow we may be having the same discussion about another outbreak. We need to make sure that everything required to respond to any outbreak, and any public health emergency is put in place within a broader health system strengthening context."

The mission also underscored the importance of strong health systems and essential health services in protecting communities from public health threats. As part of the visit, the WHO team visited the Ma Minnie Maternity Waiting Home in Trehn Health District, Grand Kru County. Supported by WHO under the H6 Partnership, the facility helps pregnant women from remote communities access skilled care during the final stages of pregnancy and contributes to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes.

The visit reinforced the importance of strong health systems as the foundation for preparedness and response. Engagements with health workers and partners across the five counties highlighted the value of collaboration, community engagement and continued investment in the systems needed to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats.