By: Emmanuel M. Karnga
Margibi County, Liberia –The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, officially launched the 2025 National Health Summit over the weekend at the Farmington Hotel, setting a bold agenda to address maternal and neonatal mortality in Liberia.
The three-day summit, held under the theme “Unlocking the Potential for Improved Health Outcomes: A Pathway to Maternal & Neonatal Mortality Reduction,” brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and key stakeholders from across the country to confront longstanding challenges in Liberia’s health system.
The event focused on strategies to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths through data-driven actions, collective responsibility, and respectful, high-quality care.
In her keynote address, Dr. Kpoto emphasized the urgency of tackling the country’s rising maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
“Every maternal death is a tragedy, and every newborn lost is a future unrealized,” she said.
She called on all stakeholders to rally around a common vision rooted in equity, quality, and accountability, stressing that “no woman or child should be left behind.”
As part of the Ministry’s strategic efforts, Dr. Kpoto announced plans to establish a dedicated data floor at the Ministry of Health to enable real-time tracking and response.
“We are moving from conversation to implementation,” she affirmed, highlighting the government’s commitment to delivering measurable outcomes.
The launch of the summit underscores the Liberian government’s renewed commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health and strengthening the overall healthcare delivery system.
