What political actions have been taken in Liberia post-Ebola outbreak?

Post-Ebola outbreak, Liberia's government has focused on strengthening its healthcare system and implementing health policy reforms.

In the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak, the Liberian government recognised the need to rebuild and strengthen its healthcare system, which had been severely strained by the epidemic. The government, with support from international partners, embarked on a comprehensive health system strengthening programme. This included the training of healthcare workers, the construction and renovation of health facilities, and the improvement of health information systems.

One of the key political actions taken was the development and implementation of the Investment Plan for Building a Resilient Health System in Liberia 2015-2021. This plan aimed to provide a roadmap for rebuilding the country's health system, with a focus on improving the quality and accessibility of health services, strengthening health governance and leadership, and enhancing community ownership and participation in health.

The government also enacted several health policy reforms. For instance, it introduced a policy to provide free healthcare services at the point of delivery in public health facilities. This was aimed at reducing financial barriers to healthcare access, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations. Additionally, the government implemented a policy to decentralize health services, with the aim of bringing health services closer to the people and improving the responsiveness of the health system.

Furthermore, the government established the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) in 2016. The NPHIL was tasked with preventing and controlling public health threats, conducting public health research, and providing strategic direction for the country's public health policies and programmes. The establishment of the NPHIL was a significant step towards enhancing Liberia's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.

In terms of political governance, the Ebola outbreak underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and community engagement in managing public health crises. Consequently, the government has made efforts to promote these principles in its health sector governance. For example, it has implemented measures to enhance the transparency of health financing and to strengthen the accountability mechanisms in the health sector.

Overall, the political actions taken by the Liberian government post-Ebola outbreak have been geared towards building a resilient health system that is capable of effectively responding to future public health threats.