NATIONAL NEWS
Grand Bassa County – The Assistant Minister for Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Cuallau J. Howe, has described the launch of new national guidelines to combat non-communicable diseases as a critical step in addressing what she termed a growing public health crisis in Liberia.
Dr. Howe made the statement at the close of a three-day stakeholders’ validation meeting held in Buchanan, where health professionals and policymakers gathered to finalize the guidelines.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
She commended the Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDI) Unit for spearheading the process, describing the initiative as forward-looking and action-oriented.
“I want to sincerely appreciate the NCDI Unit for orchestrating this critical and timely initiative,” Dr. Howe said. “This is not just a document—we must all recognize the broader impact of the NCDI agenda.”
The newly validated guidelines aim to standardize the diagnosis, treatment, and management of major non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, rheumatic heart disease, and asthma. The framework was developed following extensive consultations with key health stakeholders.
Dr. Howe warned that non-communicable diseases have increasingly become a significant threat to Liberia’s health system and national development, affecting people across all age groups and communities.
“Today, NCDs have become some of the leading causes of death within our communities and across Liberia,” she noted. “If we do not take decisive action, we will be failing the very people we are called to serve. These guidelines are not just technical tools; they are part of a larger vision to close quality gaps and improve access to healthcare nationwide.”
The validation meeting in Grand Bassa County brought together clinicians, public health experts, and policymakers from across the country.
Beyond finalizing the clinical protocols, participants also sought to align health actors under a unified national strategy to combat chronic illnesses.
The new guidelines outline measures for early detection, strengthened referral systems, and community-level awareness initiatives.
Authorities say the rollout will be supported by nationwide training programs and monitoring mechanisms across both public and private health facilities. The Ministry expects the guidelines to be implemented nationwide in
