The West Africa College of Physicians (WACP), has ended its 9th annual general and scientific meeting in Monrovia.
The gathering was held under the theme: “A Closer Look at the Health System; Intersectoral Collaboration for Improving Health Indicators.”
It brought together experts from the sector, who discussed workable solutions to address the issues, and challenges confronting the region health system.
At the ceremony, the chapter Chairperson and College Vice President, Dr. Musu Duworko, they know the numbers, and have seen the gaps, stating that the 9th annual meeting, is not about data, but solutions.
“It is about forging stronger intersectoral partnership, investing in frontline services, and ensuring that every mother and every new born has access to quality care, no matter where they live.”
Dr. Duworko said Liberia’s health indicators tell a story that is both sobering and urgent.
“Our maternal mortality ratio remains among the highest in the region, and neonatal and under five mortality rates continue to challenge our efforts despite the dedication of our frontline workers,” she told the gathering.
She disclosed that stunting and waste persist among the children, while the burden of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV remains heavy and non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes are quietly rising thereby, demanding a new kind of response, one that goes beyond the clinic walls.
Dr. Duworko challenged her colleagues to seize the opportunity to boldly act together.
She meanwhile, reminded her colleagues that intersectoral collaboration is not a luxury, but a necessity.
She called on her colleagues to be catalyst, and spark new partnerships, bold commitments and renewed urgency to act now, and not tomorrow.
Dr. Duworko is of the conviction that when they collaborate across the sector, they just don’t improve health indicators, but transform lives, build resilience, shape a future where every child survives, every mother thrives, and every community has the tools to flourish.
WHO Country Representative to Liberia, Dr. Olushayo Olu, underscored the importance of primary healthcare, which he said, cost less and very effective in addressing issues within the sector.
Dr. Olu served as a keynote speaker of the 18th J.N. Togba Lecture.
He encouraged Liberia to see primary healthcare as major driver to improve the country health system as evidence of its results in countries like Costa Rica, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Ghana.
He then called for stronger collaboration and political will to generally improve the sector.
Established on October 23, 1976, the WACP comprise five members including Liberia as one of the foundation chapters, while others include Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
Over the years, Liberia’s chapter continued to grow and currently has 43 Fellows, 12 members, and three physicians in training across various specialties.
The number according to the WACP head, continues to grow steadily as postgraduate medical education continues at a considerate pace.
Meanwhile, the Meeting ended with a scientific session, including a special honor and recognition for Dr. Moses B.F. Massaquoi, as the 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Dr. Massaquoi a Fellow of both the WACP and Liberia College of Physicians, is also a surgeon. He is remembered as a former national Ebola case manager, Incident Management System, former chair, sub regional consortium on Ebola virus vaccine and therapeutic trials in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mali.