PHOTO: WHO Resident Representative, Dr. Olushayo Olu
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging Liberia’s Ministry of Health to take more concrete actions in combating neglected tropical diseases among the rural and marginalized communities in the country.
WHO Resident Representative, Dr. Olushayo Olu congratulated the Liberian government for being the first country in the universe to develop a five-year strategic plan in combating neglected tropical diseases among the most marginalized communities.
Dr. Olu spoke when he delivered the keynote speech at the program marking the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day organized by the Ministry of Health in Monrovia on Friday.
He said the WHO will continue to provide technical and financial support to the Ministry of Health towards meeting the global neglected tropical disease.
“We also continue to provide and supplies medicines to reach two million people in epidemic counties,” Dr. said; adding: “we must scale up domestic resource mobilization efforts to support neglected tropical disease prevention and control so as to reduce the spread.”
Remarking during the program, the Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, Dr. Cuallau Howe, who spoke on behalf of Health Minister, Lousie Kpoto, assured the international partners that the Liberian government is committed to minimize neglected tropical disease in the country.
Minister Howe commended the international partners for their cooperation, financial and material support in combating and minimizing the neglected tropical disease in Liberia.
The program, which was held under the theme: “United, Act and Eliminate,” was graced by employees of the Ministry of Health, representatives of international nongovernmental organizations, students and some members of the Network of People Affected with Neglected Tropical Diseases, among others.