MOH, Global Fund and Plan International End TB Sessions -Participants Imbibe New Skills in Laboratory Services, Management

MONROVIA – The Ministry of Health with support from the Global Fund, its Principal Recipient Plan International Liberia, and other partners over the week completed a two-day session aimed at boosting quality Laboratory services and integrated Lab system management strengthening in Liberia focused on tuberculosis (TB) interventions.

The workshop, organized by Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with Plan International Liberia and other partners, brought together members of Association of Lab Technicians in Liberia, investment partners from the Global Fund, healthcare providers specializing in TB and HIV, among other technocrats and laboratory and diagnostic service providers in and out of Liberia.

These sessions aim to evaluate the current status of TB and HIV response efforts in Liberia, address key challenges, and develop strategies to strengthen the country’s intervention efforts.

According to a release, the two-day sessions discussed the status of Laboratory quality in Liberia, key challenges, management system, and recommendations to improve laboratory quality and leadership in Liberia

“The agenda includes presentations covering TB prevalence in Liberia, diagnostic and treatment practices, and service quality. Attendees include investment partners from the Global Fund, healthcare providers specializing in TB, and various other stakeholders,” the release said.

The release notes that the workshop aligns with a concurrent high-level visit from the Global Fund Africa delegation to Liberia, aimed at reviewing health sector investments, particularly TB-focused efforts.

The delegation has met with officials from the Ministry of Health and the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism, the body responsible for overseeing Global Fund activities in Liberia.

In July 2024, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, officially launched the Global Fund Grant Cycle Seven (GC7) in Monrovia.

The statement noted the cycle covers multiple integrated grants, including those for HIV and TB programs, Resilient Health System Strengthening (RHSS), COVID-19 (C-19RM), and malaria interventions. The grants, totaling US$117,546,670, are designated to support key initiatives under the Global Fund’s new funding framework for 2024-2026.

Adding, “The GC7 funding focuses on national programs for HIV, TB, Malaria, and COVID-19 response, alongside efforts to strengthen Liberia’s health systems. Notably, it also includes a Wave 2 COVID-19 investment aimed at bolstering the country’s resilience and preparedness.

This funding is a crucial step forward for Liberia in advancing health security and addressing priority health needs.

The release further noted through its partnership with Liberia, the Global Fund has for nearly two decades resolutely supported the country in improving its health systems and combating diseases especially HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

The release said the Global Fund high level visit this week, further boost rollout of the GC-7 and C-19 RM grants, and promises enormous outcomes in the fight against TB in Liberia.