The Indian Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Minister of Health of the Republic of Liberia, at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town. The meeting underscored the strong and growing bilateral relations between India and Liberia, particularly in the fields of healthcare, medical research, and capacity building.
During their meeting, Ambassador Verma and Minister Kpoto engaged in discussions on ongoing collaborations and potential areas of cooperation that could benefit Liberia’s health sector, including training for healthcare professionals, the provision of essential medicines, and the development of sustainable healthcare solutions.
Minister Kpoto acknowledged the ongoing support from India in the health sector and highlighted the critical role of international partnerships in addressing Liberia’s healthcare challenges. She expressed appreciation for India’s contributions in making healthcare services more accessible and affordable, particularly through the supply of high-quality, cost-effective pharmaceutical products.
Minister also apricated India for hosting a batch of 27 Liberian Nurses Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh for a specialized capacity-building program on “Nursing Leadership and Management” under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
She said that these nurses have returned from India empowered with good skills which they will use to training others in different counties of the country. ITEC program is a flagship initiative of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Established in 1964, the program has trained over 200,000 professionals from more than 160 countries in fields such as healthcare, IT, agriculture, education, and management etc.
Ambassador Verma reaffirmed India’s commitment to continuing such programs, emphasizing the importance of skill development in building a resilient healthcare system.
India, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” has been supplying quality yet affordable pharmaceuticals to Liberia. Discussions focused on further enhancing this support by expanding access to life-saving medicines and vaccines.
Both sides acknowledged the growing potential for cooperation in key healthcare areas. India has played a crucial role in assisting African nations in addressing public health challenges. As Liberia continues to strengthen its health sector, partnerships with countries like India provide valuable opportunities to accelerate progress. The visit by Ambassador Verma reaffirmed India’s role as an important partner in Liberia’s development journey.
