By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia – Despite the Challenges confronting Liberia’s Health Sector, stakeholders continue to train health workers to enable them provide better services to those in critical need.
On Thursday April 17, 2025, Healthcare Quality Management Unit (HQMU), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), and implementing partner Jhpiego graduated nineteen (19) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) health workers from across Liberia.
It follows the completion of a three-month intensive training program.
Serving as Guest Speaker, Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services Dr. Caullau Jabbeh Howe said Liberia as a country has gone through a lot that has taught the entire country many lessons. “What this country has gone through has taught us many lessons.” Dr. Howe said.
According to Dr. Howe, IPC plays a crucial role in saving lives and keeping the health system functioning, emphasizing that training is more than a refresher—it’s a lifeline.
She encouraged the graduates to actively implement what they’ve learned in the field, noting that IPC is not theoretical but 100% practical.
“You must protect yourselves, your patients, and your communities. Always wear protective gear and practice standard precautions. IPC must become a culture in every healthcare facility,” she urged.
Meanwhile, Dr. Cecelia Woods-Cheneyon, Director of Healthcare Quality Management Unit (HQMU) and Course Coordinator said the goal is to have trained IPC professionals across all fifteen counties, strengthening our healthcare system.
“We’re grateful to Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto and all our partners for embracing this initiative. The goal is to have trained IPC professionals across all fifteen counties, strengthening our healthcare system from the ground up,” Dr. Woods-Cheneyon said.
Providing an overview of the program, Dr. Woods-Cheneyon noted that the NIPCCTP was launched in September 2024 and is structured in three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced, each with a duration of three months. “The program aims to improve IPC knowledge and skills among health workers, increase the pool of IPC specialists, and enhance our capacity to prevent, control, and mitigate epidemic and pandemic diseases,” she explained.
She emphasized that the MOH is working on a sustainability plan to integrate the program into TNIMA to ensure its continuity even without donor support.
Major stakeholders attended the graduation, including representatives from the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA), the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), and several development partners.
