As He Departs The Country
PHOTO: Dr. Sennen Hounton, UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia –The United Nations Population Fund or NFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr. Sennen Hounton has wrapped up a significant week-long visit to Liberia, with a crucial call to bolster the human capacity within the country’s midwifery workforce.
During a news conference held at One UN House before his departure at the weekend, Dr. Hounton emphasized that increasing the human capital and enhancing their skills within midwifery is essential to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare sector and reduce maternal mortality rates.
Dr. Hounton’s visit was aimed at supporting Liberia’s ongoing health advancements, involved tours of health facilities in River Cess and Bong Counties.
He noted the positive findings from his field visits, acknowledging the dedication of healthcare staff, the cleanliness of facilities, and the availability of quality assurance instruments, particularly relating to midwifery.
“I am here to reaffirm the support of the UN and the UN System at the regional level to Liberia as they pursue their development agenda,” the UNFPA’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa noted.
Highlighting the crises faced by the region, including food insecurity and terrorism, Dr. Hounton praised Liberia’s peaceful electoral processes and seamless power transitions, which he believes warrant international support.
He expressed profound gratitude to the UNFPA country team and Liberian midwives for their hard work and dedication.
Reiterating UNFPA’s mission, he said that no woman should die while giving birth and underscored the importance of pregnancy as a choice rather than a risk to life.
Dr. Hounton assured that UNFPA and the entire UN system are committed to working with the Liberian people to realize this mission.
His visit served as a direct effort to prevent maternal deaths, empower women, and protect them from violence, with a keen focus on accurate census data for better healthcare planning.
While in Liberia, the UNFPA Regional Director visited health facilities in Rivercess and Bong Counties respectively.
Commenting on his field visit, Dr. Houston observed that Liberia has a good foundation to build on.
He maintained that his visit to Liberia was also in two forces: to thank the leadership of Liberia and its citizens for writing a new narrative in the region and to listen and take a field visit to some health facilities to understand the condition and challenges women go through in giving birth.