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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Sweden have handed over 13 vehicles and one motorcycle to Liberia’s Ministry of Health to support maternal health services in 13 counties. The symbolic presentation took place over the weekend at a handover ceremony attended by key stakeholders, including the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Karl Backéus, and the UNFPA Country Representative, Bidisha Pillai.
Speaking at the event, Bidisha Pillai described the moment as a significant milestone for UNFPA’s mission to end preventable maternal deaths, address the unmet need for family planning, and eradicate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence by 2030. She emphasized that the support from Sweden has been instrumental in achieving these goals.
“This is a proud moment for UNFPA. Completing the census program with Sweden’s support was a major achievement. Now, continuing that support through these vehicles advances our core mandate to strengthen maternal health services,” Pillai remarked. “We hope that these vehicles will not just be seen as transport tools but as tokens of equity and access to essential services for rural women.”
Pillai highlighted the vehicles’ intended use, stating that health workers will use them to access remote communities, deliver essential health supplies, and provide maternal health counseling and services. On occasion, they could also be used to transport pregnant women to health facilities in emergencies. She expressed gratitude to Sweden for its consistent support, noting, “We want to thank Sweden for its impactful support, not just for the census, but for its ongoing support to UNFPA, which enables us to support Liberia in reducing maternal deaths and ensuring every young person fulfills their potential.”
Sweden’s Ambassador to Liberia, Karl Backéus, echoed these sentiments, praising the partnership with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health. “These vehicles, which were used for the census, are now being repurposed for a cause that is even more vital. We’re proud to have supported the census since 2018, and while that program’s completion is important, it’s not the end goal. The real task is using the data to drive health planning, particularly in maternal health,” Backéus said.
He underscored the significance of the vehicles’ role in strengthening Liberia’s health sector. “These vehicles will be used across the country to strengthen reproductive health services, especially for rural women. We’re honored to witness this moment and look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative across the country,” the Swedish Ambassador stated.
Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, expressed deep gratitude to UNFPA and Sweden for the timely intervention. Speaking on behalf of President Joseph N. Boakai, Dr. Kpoto pledged that the vehicles would be used for their intended purpose of enhancing maternal health services.
“On behalf of the President, His Excellency Joseph N. Boakai, I extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the donation of these 13 vehicles and one motorcycle to 13 counties,” Dr. Kpoto said. “These vehicles will be taken to the counties and used as intended—to strengthen maternal health services. We’ll instruct county health officers to prioritize the referral of pregnant women to health facilities and support emergency cases.”
Dr. Kpoto, who is an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) by profession, spoke of her personal commitment to maternal health. “As an OBGYN, maternal health is my passion. This support has truly made my Christmas a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” she stated joyfully. “This initiative will have a lasting impact on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Liberia.”
She also lauded the strong partnership with UNFPA, highlighting their shared experience of a study tour to Sierra Leone to draw lessons for health sector improvement. “The UNFPA representative accompanied us to Sierra Leone, where we learned important lessons together. She has been a steadfast partner of this ministry,” Dr. Kpoto added.
The handover of the vehicles marks another step forward in the collective efforts of the Government of Liberia, UNFPA, and Sweden to strengthen Liberia’s health system, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas.
As the vehicles are deployed across the country, they are expected to play a crucial role in addressing maternal health challenges and improving access to essential healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
