Key stakeholders within the health sector including civil society organizations convened Monday at the Golden Key Hotel to validate the actuarial analysis for the proposed Liberia Health Equity Fund (LHEF) or Liberia Social Health Insurance Scheme.
According to the Ministry of Health, the meeting brought together policymakers, development partners, and government officials to assess the viability and financial sustainability of LHEF as a policy for sustainable health financing in Liberia. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare for all Liberians.
Malayah Chieyoe, Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of a robust healthcare system for national development. “A healthy population is the foundation of any development you’re considering. Without a healthy population, forget about development,” he stated. He assured the public of the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all.
For his part, the Director if the Cabinet Nathaniel Kwabo, reaffirmed President Joseph Boakai’s dedication to universal health coverage, stating that healthcare access is a fundamental human right.
“This initiative has been a priority for the president even before he assumed office. Every Liberian, regardless of their background, must have access to healthcare,” Kwabo said.
He also highlighted the consequences of inadequate healthcare financing, noting that many preventable deaths occur due to a lack of resources.
The initiative has received strong backing from the Legislature. Representative Mike Jurry, Chair of the House Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, vowed to secure financial support for the program. “We will work with the Ministry of Finance to ensure money is available for this crucial program,” he affirmed.
For his part, George P. Jacobs, Assistant Minister for Policy and Planning, underscored the importance of the validation exercise in shaping the future of health financing in Liberia.
“We are here to validate the actuarial analysis for the Liberia Health Equity Fund. This process is essential in determining how we can sustainably finance universal health coverage,” he explained.
In 2025, the government will allocate $91 million to health, while anticipated donor funds stand at $81 million. However, the actual need is over $458 million,” in line with WHO projection per capita, he revealed.
To bridge this gap, Minister Jacobs outlined Liberia’s strategy for achieving universal health coverage. “The Liberia Health Equity Fund will be the medium-to-long-term strategy for sustainable health financing. In the short term, Revolving Drugs fund or Community Pharmacy, cost-sharing and performance-based financing will be introduced in addition to the LHEF as an interim policy measure,” he announced.
Additional concerns include limited hospital beds, inadequate water and sanitation in public health facilities, and unreliable electricity. One of the core goals of universal health coverage is eliminating financial barriers to healthcare. “No one should be denied healthcare because they cannot pay. Equity in access is a key objective,” Jacobs emphasized.
As the meeting concluded, Deputy Minister Chieyoe reiterated the government’s commitment to action. “This validation is not just an academic exercise. It is about saving lives. We must act now,” he urged. With the actuarial analysis validated, Liberia now has a clearer path toward securing sustainable healthcare financing, bringing the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.
