GANTA — The streets of Ganta City, Nimba County, were alive with energy and excitement on December 29, 2024, as nurses and midwives from all corners of Liberia gathered for the official launch of Nurses and Midwives In Charge (NMIC), a groundbreaking program aimed at empowering the nation’s healthcare professionals.
By Nukanah Kollie, Contributing Writer
Dressed in sharp white uniforms, the nurses proudly marched through the main streets of Ganta, their presence a powerful symbol of unity, professionalism, and the critical role they play in Liberia’s healthcare system.
The event was more than just a celebration; it was a bold statement of leadership, dedication, and the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives across the country. The launch brought together a diverse group of individuals, including chairpersons from NMIC’s seven chapters in Liberia, nursing and midwifery students eager to begin their careers, health officers, media practitioners, and everyday residents of Ganta.
Together, they celebrated the passion and commitment of the nurses and midwives, honoring their tireless work and the impact they continue to have on the health and well-being of the nation.
Founded in 2022 by Dr. Nyempu Karmue-Hall in Florida, USA, Nurses and Midwives In Charge (NIC) is a global, faith-based nonprofit organization committed to empowering nurses and midwives worldwide.
The Liberia chapter, which has now been officially registered, is rapidly expanding across the country, with chapters already established in Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Bomi, and Montserrado Counties. The organization’s mission is to uplift and empower nurses and midwives, recognizing their essential role in the healthcare system, and giving them the tools they need to thrive.
Dr. Nyempu Karmue-Hall, Founder of NMIC in her inspiring address during the launch, underscored the incredible potential of nurses. She underscored that nurses represent over fifty percent of the global healthcare workforce and are at the forefront of transforming the profession.
She noted that the mission of Nurses and Midwives In Charge Liberia is to help nurses take charge of their careers, their communities, and the healthcare systems they serve. The initiative aims to instill confidence in nurses, giving them the leadership skills and authority to drive change, not just within the healthcare system, but in the broader communities they serve.
Dr. Hall shared that the idea for Nurses and Midwives In Charge Inc. was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she recognized the critical need for stronger connections among nurses. Despite their pivotal role in healthcare, nurses are often underappreciated and face significant challenges, such as inadequate salaries and limited resources. NMIC was created to address these issues, empower nurses, and raise awareness about their value in the healthcare system.
Before the official launch in Ganta, NMIC embarked on a nationwide tour across Liberia, which ended with professional development workshops, community outreach, and a deep exploration of the challenges nurses face. The tour provided valuable insights into the needs of nurses, and helped identify key areas where NMIC could make a meaningful impact.
The initiative focused on empowering nursing instructors and institutions, ensuring that the next generation of nurses is better prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly developing healthcare landscape.
The launch event also included powerful remarks from several key speakers, including Madam Norah Keah, the keynote speaker, who stressed the importance of networking and building a strong, global professional community for nurses. She urged nurses to connect with one another, share resources, and collaborate across borders to strengthen the profession worldwide.
Madam Keah also addressed the pressing issue of salary disparities in the nursing field, encouraging nurses to continue their vital work despite the financial challenges they face.
Bomi County Health Team Officer, Dr. Annette Brima-Davis, praised the initiative, reaffirming the importance of supporting nurses in their critical work. She expressed her commitment to collaborating with the Nurses and Midwives In Charge Liberia team, both at the national and global levels, to improve the healthcare system in Liberia.
Dr. Brima-Davis also highlighted the need for continued support for nurses, noting that they are the backbone of the healthcare system and deserve to be recognized and valued for their dedication.
Nimba County Chairperson, Everlyn Y.N. Yengiyoe, also spoke passionately about the significance of the launch, calling it a “new day for nurses and midwives in Liberia.” She expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Karmue-Hall for creating such a historic and transformative initiative, and reaffirmed the commitment of the nurses and midwives in Nimba County to the success of the program.
Yengiyoe called on all nurses in Liberia to take pride in their profession, and to continue working with passion and dedication, knowing that they are making a profound difference in the lives of the people they care for.
The launch of Nurses and Midwives In Charge was a powerful reminder of the immense contributions nurses and midwives make to Liberia’s healthcare system. Their work often goes unnoticed, but this event unveiled their invaluable impact and underscored the importance of empowering them to take on leadership roles in healthcare.
Through this initiative, nurses and midwives in Liberia are asserting their leadership potential and professional expertise, even in the face of challenges such as underpaid salaries, inadequate resources, and difficult working conditions.
As nurses and midwives dressed in white uniforms paraded through the streets of Ganta, they sent a clear message to the nation: they are in charge of their profession. They are leaders, ready to inspire, transform, and lead the charge toward a brighter future for Liberia’s healthcare system. Their presence in Ganta was not just a celebration of their past accomplishments, but a promise of their continued commitment to the health and well-being of Liberia’s people. With the support of Nurses and Midwives In Charge, they are poised to drive positive change and one community at a time.
