Liberia: Lawmaker Proposes Legislative Caucus on Immunization and Primary Health Care Amid Looming Funding Gaps

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – Lofa County District #2 Consultant Julie Fartoma Wiah has formally known as for the institution of a Legislative Caucus on Immunization and Major Well being Care (PHC) to assist shield Liberia’s public well being achievements and tackle worsening funding gaps threatening the nation’s fragile well being system.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

In a communication addressed to the Home of Representatives via Speaker Richard N. Koon, Rep. Wiah warned that Liberia’s continued dependence on donor assist for immunization and PHC is unsustainable—significantly as exterior funding sources start to dwindle.

“Honorable Speaker, immunization and PHC stay among the many most cost-effective public well being interventions, saving lives and stopping illness,” she mentioned. “In Liberia, routine immunization has considerably diminished baby mortality and strengthened well being outcomes. Nevertheless, persistent funding shortfalls and restricted home financing are placing these good points in danger.”

Her communication was learn in the course of the 18th day sitting of the second quarter of the fifty fifth Legislature’s second session.

Rep. Wiah’s proposal seeks to ascertain a legislative caucus that will improve parliamentary engagement on well being points, promote budgetary accountability, and assist the passage of insurance policies to make sure long-term, sustainable financing for well being providers—together with the creation of a Nationwide Immunization Belief Fund.

She famous that Liberia’s well being system has endured repeated shocks in recent times, together with the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest resurgence of monkeypox (Mpox), she added, additional highlights the pressing want for a resilient and well-funded public well being infrastructure.

Rep. Wiah cited alarming figures in her communication. Of the US$79.36 million appropriated for PHC over 5 years, solely 35.5% was disbursed. In 2024, disbursement dropped additional to simply 19.6%. PHC at present accounts for lower than 10% of nationwide well being spending—far under the World Well being Group’s beneficial 40%.

She additionally highlighted a major shortfall in immunization funding. Between 2020 and 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, contributed US$13.36 million to Liberia’s immunization program, whereas the federal government offered solely US$2.33 million—overlaying simply 15% of the associated fee, under Gavi’s 20% co-financing requirement. Much more regarding, she famous, home disbursements outdoors of the Gavi framework totaled simply US$1.12 million, or 42% of the quantity allotted.

With World Financial institution assist for conventional vaccines anticipated to finish in 2026, Rep. Wiah warned that the federal government should start getting ready to imagine full monetary accountability or danger reversing vital public well being progress.

“These gaps are greater than monetary—they’re systemic,” she harassed. “Underinvestment weakens service supply, reduces immunization protection, raises family well being prices, and exacerbates regional disparities. Most significantly, it endangers Liberia’s preparedness for rising well being threats like Mpox and undermines our transition to self-reliant well being financing.”

In her proposed caucus, Rep. Wiah outlined a number of key aims, together with advocating for elevated and sustained nationwide funds allocations for immunization and PHC; encouraging the usage of earmarked revenues—corresponding to well being levies or taxes—to assist important providers; selling accountability and transparency via legislative oversight and supporting the passage of a devoted invoice on immunization and PHC.

She submitted a draft idea be aware and constitution outlining the caucus’s mission and construction and, talking with legislative reporters afterward, appealed for her colleagues’ assist.

“A Legislative Immunization Caucus won’t solely show our political will but additionally institutionalize the mechanisms wanted to safeguard Liberia’s immunization achievements and put together for future well being challenges,” she mentioned.