The West African College of Physicians (WACP) has successfully concluded its 9th Annual General and Scientific Meeting, convening health sector experts to identify actionable solutions for improving Liberia’s health system. The event was held under the theme, “A Closer Look at the Health System: Intersectoral Collaboration for Improving Health Indicators.”
The professional gathering provided a platform for discussions on practical strategies to tackle persistent challenges in the Liberian health sector. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Musu Duworko, Chapter Chairperson and Vice President of WACP, emphasized that the focus of the 9th Annual Meeting was not on statistics, but on solutions and impact.
“It is about forging stronger intersectoral partnerships, investing in frontline services, and ensuring that every mother and every newborn has access to quality care, no matter where they live,” Dr. Duworko said.
Highlighting Liberia’s sobering health indicators, Dr. Duworko noted, “Our maternal mortality ratio remains among the highest in the region, and neonatal and under-five mortality rates continue to challenge our efforts, despite the dedication of our frontline workers.”
She further revealed that issues such as child stunting and wasting remain prevalent, while malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV continue to place heavy burdens on the population. In addition, non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes are on the rise, requiring a response that extends beyond clinic walls.
“These indicators are not just numbers,” Dr. Duworko stressed. “They are lives – mothers who did not make it home, children who never reached their fifth birthday, and families burdened by illness and poverty.”
Dr. Duworko called on her colleagues to act boldly and collaboratively, noting that health is influenced by more than the medical sector alone. “It is shaped by the food we grow, the water we drink, the roads we travel, the schools we build, and the policies we enact,” she added. She emphasized that education, agriculture, infrastructure, finance, and governance, as well as strong partnerships across ministries, disciplines, and communities, are critical to improving health outcomes.
“Intersectoral collaboration is not a luxury, but a necessity,” Dr. Duworko emphasized. She highlighted concrete actions: “When we integrate nutrition into school curricula, we fight stunting. When we ensure clean water in every clinic, we prevent disease. When we invest in health insurance and reduce out-of-pocket costs, we protect families from financial ruin. When we train and retain a skilled health workforce, we build trust in our system.”
She urged health practitioners to recognize that national health is built through collective effort—from classrooms and farms, to roads and clean water systems, boardrooms and budget meetings, and clinics and operating theaters. “Health indicators are not just metrics; they are mirrors reflecting who we are, what we value, and how far we are willing to go to protect the dignity and wellbeing of every Liberian,” she noted.
“We must be catalysts for new partnerships, bold commitments, and renewed urgency to act now, not tomorrow,” Dr. Duworko concluded. “When we collaborate across sectors, we do not just improve health indicators; we transform lives, build resilience, and shape a future where every child survives, every mother thrives, and every community flourishes.”
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Olushayo Olu, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Liberia, emphasized the importance of primary health care as a cost-effective and highly efficient strategy for improving health outcomes. Speaking as the keynote of the 18th J.N. Togba Lecture, Dr. Olu cited evidence from countries including Costa Rica, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, urging Liberia to leverage primary health care as a driver of systemic improvement.
He also called for stronger collaboration and political will to enhance the sector overall.
Founded on October 23, 1976, the WACP comprises five founding chapters, including Liberia, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Liberia’s chapter has steadily grown and now includes 43 fellows, 12 members, and three physicians in training across multiple specialties. This growth aligns with the country’s focus on expanding postgraduate medical education through the Liberia Postgraduate Medical Council and the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The 9th Annual General Assembly and Scientific Meeting concluded with a scientific session and special recognition of Dr. Moses B.F. Massaquoi as the 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient. Dr. Massaquoi, a fellow of both the West African College of Physicians and the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, previously served as Liberia’s National Ebola Case Manager, led the Sub-Regional Consortium on Ebola Virus Vaccine and Therapeutic Trials, and made lasting contributions to public health across Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
His remarkable service and leadership in the health sector were celebrated by colleagues and peers at the assembly.
