AGP Executive Report

Health Financing and Research: At Monrovia’s fifth Emmet A. Dennis scientific conference, Africa CDC executive Tolbert Nyenswah urged Liberia to fund healthcare, disease surveillance, laboratories and research at home, while researchers called for local findings to shape policy. Children’s Surgery: Firestone Liberia is publicizing free surgeries for children at Duside Hospital from Jan. 20 to Feb. 5, 2027. Screening and registration run through Dec. 15. Hospital Access: Some patients in Liberia have reportedly waited nearly a week in a chair for a hospital bed. Disability Rights: A New Narratives investigation describes a Monrovia mother forced from her home because her daughter has cerebral palsy, and highlights gaps in disability services and outreach. Prevention: The government is urging people to get active as hypertension and obesity rise.

Ebola Preparedness: Liberian counties are waiting for government guidance and supplies as Kenya confirms a second Bundibugyo Ebola case. The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths, keeping regional vigilance critical. Hospital Access: Some patients in Liberia have reportedly waited nearly a week for a hospital bed, underscoring pressure on care. Lawmakers are also reviewing county facilities as they assess priorities for the 2027 health budget. Chronic Disease Prevention: Liberia’s health ministry has launched a monthly exercise and wellness day as hypertension, diabetes and obesity risks rise. A national survey found nearly one in four adults has raised blood pressure, while about six in ten are overweight or obese. Health Workforce: Teachers and midwives describe low pay, understaffed clinics and difficult working conditions, challenges that threaten the quality and reach of essential services.

Ebola Preparedness: Kenyan counties say they are still waiting for government guidance and supplies after a second Bundibugyo Ebola case was confirmed. The outbreak’s spread in the region makes clear communication and readiness vital. Health Workforce: A global study finds nearly three in four Sub-Saharan African workers are struggling; Liberian teachers and midwives describe low pay, understaffed clinics and exhausting conditions that risk weakening care. Chronic Disease: Liberia’s Health Ministry has launched a monthly exercise and wellness day as a survey finds nearly one in four adults has raised blood pressure and six in ten are overweight or obese. Hospital Access: Some Liberian hospital patients have reportedly waited nearly a week for a bed, sitting in a chair as they await care. GBV Services: Government and partners have launched an upgraded information system to improve coordination and referrals for survivors of gender-based violence.

Chronic Disease Prevention: Liberia has launched a monthly exercise and wellness day as nearly one in four adults has raised blood pressure and six in ten are overweight or obese. Health officials urge regular activity, healthier eating and checkups. Hospital Care: Some patients have reportedly waited nearly a week in a chair for a bed, underscoring pressure on Liberia’s hospitals. Lawmakers are also reviewing facilities as they consider 2027 health funding. Ebola Alert: The Bundibugyo outbreak in DR Congo has exceeded 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths, with no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Kenya has reported an imported case, reviving concerns in a region scarred by Liberia’s 2014–16 epidemic. Survivor Services: Liberia has launched an upgraded system to improve how health, social and legal services document gender-based violence and refer survivors for support.

Chronic Disease Prevention: Liberia’s Health Ministry has launched a monthly exercise and wellness day as hypertension, diabetes and obesity risks rise. A national survey found nearly one in four adults has raised blood pressure and six in ten are overweight or obese. Hospital Capacity: Some Liberian patients have reportedly waited nearly a week in chairs for a bed, underscoring pressure on hospital services. Survivor Services: The government, UNFPA and partners launched an upgraded gender-based violence information system to improve confidential record-keeping and coordinate referrals among health, social, legal and security services. Ebola Watch: The Bundibugyo outbreak in DR Congo has passed 9,000 confirmed cases, with 4,381 deaths; Kenya has also reported an imported case. Research from Monrovia found reproductive complications among women who survived earlier Ebola infections, though it is not known whether the same effects occur with Bundibugyo.

Ebola Watch: DR Congo’s outbreak has passed 9,000 confirmed cases, with 4,381 deaths. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, and Kenya has reported an imported fatal case. The outbreak raises regional concern, recalling the 2014–16 epidemic that killed thousands, including in Liberia. Nutrition Funding: At an African nutrition financing dialogue, former Ethiopian deputy prime minister Demeke Mekonnen urged governments to boost domestic budgets and track spending as foreign aid declines. Liberia’s Health System: The government transferred 304 ELWA Hospital workers to its payroll; their union is seeking assurances that the change will not strip workers of benefits or representation. Liberia has also launched an exercise campaign to tackle rising chronic diseases.

Ebola Watch: Congo’s Bundibugyo outbreak has reached 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths. Kenya has also reported a fatal imported case. The strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, and health officials stress that safe, no-contact burials are vital to stopping transmission. Health Workforce: At ELWA Hospital, a union is asking the government to clarify workers’ rights after 304 employees moved onto the public payroll, including whether accrued benefits and union representation remain protected. Chronic Disease: Liberia has launched an exercise campaign to address rising chronic illnesses. Environmental Health: Liberia’s mines minister has warned that illegal mining and mercury exposure put communities’ health and livelihoods at risk, calling for stronger enforcement.

Mining and Health: Liberia’s mines minister warned that unregulated mining exposes communities to mercury and other health risks, calling for stronger environmental enforcement. Hospital Workforce: ELWA Hospital’s 304-worker move to the government payroll has raised questions about staff benefits and union rights; the Liberia Industrial Workers Union is demanding a legal explanation. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment says Liberia is 69% ready for Ebola, while frontline health workers warn that the gaps matter. Chronic Disease: Liberia has launched an exercise campaign to address rising chronic diseases. Mental Health: A West African review highlights scarce specialists and says Liberia has only one tertiary psychiatric hospital. Maternal and Traditional Care: The Health Ministry has launched a revised protocol for postpartum hemorrhage, while the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority is pushing tighter oversight of traditional remedies and warning against “cure-all” claims.

Hospital Workforce: The Liberia Industrial Workers Union is asking the Civil Service Agency to explain the legal basis for claims that 304 ELWA Hospital employees lost union representation after moving to the government payroll. The union says the change should not erase workers’ existing rights and benefits. Mental Health: West Africa faces a severe shortage of specialists and funding; Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia each have only one tertiary psychiatric hospital, leaving many people without access to care. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment puts Liberia’s readiness at 69 percent, while frontline health workers warn that the remaining gaps matter. Prevention and Care: Liberia’s health ministry has launched a revised protocol for preventing and treating postpartum haemorrhage, while a national exercise campaign aims to curb rising chronic diseases.

Mental Health: West Africa has too few specialists and limited funding; Liberia and Sierra Leone each have only one tertiary psychiatric hospital, while community-based care remains scarce. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment says Liberia is 69% ready for Ebola, but frontline workers warn that the gaps in the remaining 31% matter. Care for Mothers and Children: The Health Ministry has launched a revised protocol for postpartum hemorrhage, and JFK Hospital has added seven pediatric consultation rooms. Health System and Prevention: ELWA says a payroll transition covering 304 workers will support Liberia’s health system, while a new exercise campaign aims to tackle rising chronic diseases.

Mental Health: West Africa faces a severe shortage of specialists and funding. Liberia has just one tertiary psychiatric hospital, leaving many people without access to care. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment puts Liberia 69% ready for Ebola, but frontline health workers warn that the remaining gaps matter. Health Services: JFK Hospital has added seven pediatric consultation rooms, while ELWA’s transition of 304 workers to payroll is being presented as a boost to the health system. Community Care: Last Mile Health won a $3 million humanitarian prize to expand support for community health workers, including in Liberia’s rural areas. Prevention: Liberia has launched an exercise campaign to address rising chronic diseases.

Mental Health: Liberia has just one tertiary psychiatric hospital, reflecting West Africa’s severe shortage of specialists and funding. Health Services: ELWA Hospital says 304 workers have moved onto the government payroll, while lawmakers are assessing Maryland County facilities to guide 2027 health spending. Ebola Readiness: A government review rated Liberia 69% prepared, but frontline workers warn the remaining gaps matter. Prevention and Care: Liberia has launched an exercise campaign against chronic diseases and revised its protocol for preventing postpartum hemorrhage. JFK Hospital has also added seven pediatric consultation rooms.

Mental Health: West Africa faces a severe shortage of specialists and underfunded community care; Liberia has only one tertiary psychiatric hospital. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment puts Liberia at 69% readiness, while frontline workers warn that the remaining gaps matter. Health Workforce: ELWA Hospital says moving 304 staff onto the government payroll will strengthen its workforce. Patient Care: JFK Hospital has added seven pediatric consultation rooms, and the Health Ministry has launched a revised protocol for postpartum bleeding. Prevention: Liberia has also launched an exercise campaign to address rising chronic diseases. Across Africa, aid cuts and shipping delays threaten contraceptive supplies, adding pressure on clinics already facing funding shortfalls.

Family Planning: Aid cuts and shipping disruptions threaten contraceptive supplies across Africa, where clinics already face a $185 million funding shortfall; stigma also keeps many adolescent girls from seeking care. Ebola Readiness: A government assessment puts Liberia’s preparedness at 69%, but frontline health workers warn that gaps in staffing and supplies could matter if an outbreak reaches the country. Health Workforce: ELWA Hospital says 304 employees have moved onto the government payroll, a step it says can support a more stable health system. Health Services: Lawmakers are assessing Maryland County facilities to guide health priorities in the 2027 budget. Meanwhile, Liberia’s water utility says six communities could gain piped water by late 2026 or mid-2027, improving access to a basic public-health service.

Ebola Preparedness: Kenya’s first Ebola case has revived memories of Liberia’s 2014 outbreak. Kenyan medic Stephen Mugo, who helped Liberia’s response, urges strong training and reliable protective equipment. A recent assessment puts Liberia at 69% readiness, with frontline workers warning that remaining gaps matter. Health Services: ELWA Hospital says 304 staff have moved onto the government payroll, while lawmakers are assessing Maryland County facilities to guide 2027 health spending. Climate and Health: Flooding in Monrovia and surrounding communities has affected nearly 20,000 families, disrupting daily life and schooling; reports also cite illness and seven deaths. Water Access: LWSC says six communities could gain piped water by late 2026 or mid-2027, if projects receive needed support.

Community Health: Last Mile Health has won the 2026 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, including $3 million to expand its work supporting community health workers in Liberia and three other African countries. Ebola Preparedness: A government assessment puts Liberia’s readiness at 69%; frontline workers warn that the remaining gaps matter as the outbreak worsens in the region and Kenya reports an imported case. Flooding and Health: Heavy rains, clogged drains and wetland construction are worsening floods in Monrovia. Nearly 20,000 families have been affected across two counties, with illness and seven deaths reported. Health System: ELWA Hospital welcomed the move to place 304 employees on the government payroll, while lawmakers are inspecting Maryland County facilities to help set health priorities for the 2027 budget. Prevention: Liberia has designated the last Saturday of each month as National Exercise and Wellness Day amid rising chronic diseases.