By: Contributing Writer
Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County – Leaders and residents of Grand Cape Mount County have overwhelmingly welcomed the Ministry of Health’s rebranded Community Pharmacy/Revolving Drug Fund (RDF) Program, launched at the Sinje Comprehensive Health Center.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring the continuous availability of essential medicines at health facilities and expanding access to safe, affordable healthcare nationwide.
The launch event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community leaders, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and local officials—all showing strong support for the program’s objectives.
Speaking on behalf of Minister of Health Dr. Louise Kpoto, the Deputy Minister for Policy, Planning, and Monitoring & Evaluation, Malayah Tamba Chieyoe, expressed gratitude for the county’s warm reception and emphasized the importance of community involvement.
“This initiative is one that the Minister of Health strongly supports. It also has the full backing of the President, H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, the Legislature, and the government as a whole,” Hon. Chieyoe stated. “But most importantly, your community’s support assures us that this will succeed. Without your involvement, it won’t work, and I want to thank you for standing behind this initiative.”
He added that training and capacity-building will follow the launch to ensure proper management of the program. A Training-of-Trainers workshop is being held to strengthen local expertise in financial oversight and sustainable drug supply management.
The RDF Scheme allows health facilities to charge a minimal fee for standardized, high-quality medications, with funds used to replenish supplies—helping to prevent stockouts and reduce the use of unsafe, street-sold drugs.
Local leaders, includingDistrict Commissioner Kandakai Kiazolu-Garwulaand Town Chief Mr. Anthony Sembeh, pledged their full support.
“Before we do anything, we firstly want to say that we are wholeheartedly in this. We want to let you know that we looked into this and saw that there is no lie in it, and so we agreed to it,” said Town Chief Sembeh.
“I encourage us all to continue what we have started to help eliminate the many difficulties we face as a county. We also want the Ministry to know that we remain committed to our words and what we have discussed here today,” added Commissioner Kiazolu-Garwula.
The launch culminated with a dollar rally and the start of the Training-of-Trainers workshop at the Grand Cape Mount County Health Team office. Participants included health team members, hospital and clinic administrators, officers-in-charge, pharmacists, and financial officers from facilities such as St. Timothy Hospital, Sinje Comprehensive Health Center, WAHO Health Center, and Damballah Health Center.
The Ministry hopes that the success in Grand Cape Mount County will serve as a model for effective implementation of the RDF Program across Liberia.
