By Sampson W. Weah – sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
Rivercess County – The Ruth Coker-Collins Development Foundation (RCCDF) has certified more than 180 trained traditional midwives in River Cess County, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery and advancing maternal and child health in rural Liberia.
The certification ceremony, held on December 22, 2025, in Yarkpa Town, brought together traditional leaders, healthcare professionals, women’s groups, and community members from across the county.
Ahead of the program, more than 200 participants paraded through the town, demonstrating strong public support for the initiative.
Speaking at the program, RCCDF Chief Executive Officer and former Minister of Public Works, Ruth Coker-Collins, described traditional midwives as a critical link between rural communities and formal health facilities, noting their tireless service under challenging conditions.
“These women are often the first point of care for pregnant mothers in rural communities,” Coker-Collins said. “Their dedication and sacrifice deserve recognition and sustained support.”
Former Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, also praised the foundation’s intervention, describing traditional midwives as the backbone of maternal healthcare in River Cess County and commending their resilience despite limited resources.
Representing the beneficiaries, a spokesperson for the newly certified midwives expressed gratitude to RCCDF for recognizing their work but highlighted persistent challenges, including the lack of stipends, incentives, and basic working tools.
The midwives appealed to the government and development partners for support, noting that many routinely escort pregnant women to health facilities as early as 2:00 a.m. without any form of compensation.
The initiative marks a major milestone in RCCDF’s ongoing efforts to empower women and strengthen community-based healthcare delivery in underserved areas of Liberia.
