The SPS Program carries out activities related to identified priority areas in Liberia, specifically—
Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Liberia. The entire population of approximately 3.6 million people is at risk because all 15 of Liberia’s counties have year-long, stable malaria transmission. Although the Ministry of Health is committed to increasing access to health services, years of internal conflict have left Liberia with a fragile health system, a shortage of health workers, and damaged physical infrastructure.

In 2007, the President’s Malaria Initiative conducted a country assessment to identify priorities that could help the National Malaria Control Program attain the country’s Roll Back Malaria targets. Resulting priority areas included increasing the use of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, intermittent treatment of pregnant women, and appropriate case management.

Full implementation of Liberia’s new malaria treatment policy will depend on proper diagnosis, prescribing, and dispensing of medicines by health workers. Proper adherence to treatment by patients will also affect the success of the implementation. However, as a post-conflict country, Liberia is faced with a dearth of qualified health workers with basic skills to support these efforts; in addition, the current pharmaceutical management system is weak, which creates barriers to delivering health services.

News & Stories

• Bringing Effective Malaria Treatment Closer to the Communities through the Private Sector in Liberia
  
• Improving Rational Medicines Use in Liberia
• Building Skills for Better Pharmaceutical Supply System Management in Liberia