USAID/BASICS Establishes Long-term Technical Assistance Program in Liberia
February 29, 2008—USAID/BASICS has commenced a 21-month technical assistance agreement with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Liberia to support introduction of the country’s Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS). The Government is aiming to ensure that at least 70% of health facilities are providing the BPHS by 2010, and is further seeking a five percent reduction in the child mortality and maternal mortality rates by the same time.
While emphasizing the delivery of maternal, newborn, and child health services, USAID/BASICS is also helping strengthen County Health Teams and essential support systems to deliver and manage the BPHS through decentralized, county-focused structures.
This technical assistance agreement effectively builds on USAID/BASICS’ country program in Liberia, which began in 2006 with short-term support for development of the National Health Policy and strategic planning for the transition from humanitarian to long-term development assistance in the public health system.
Coordinating a six-person in-country team for USAID/BASICS is Dr. Rose Jallah Macauley, a Liberian pediatrician and international public health specialist. Her areas of expertise include health systems management, health worker training, and quality assurance, as well as health policy and planning. She recently served for six years in Zimbabwe as a medical officer for the World Health Organization and is a former Child Survival Advisor for John Snow, Inc., one of USAID/BASICS’ six implementing partners.
“USAID/BASICS will contribute significantly to the assessment, revision, and institutionalization of in-service training for mid-level health workers,” said Dr. Macauley. “In addition to traditional training approaches, the project will also use alternative methodologies, like peer learning and on-site mentoring,” she added.
Queries about USAID/BASICS' technical assistance program in Liberia are welcome via e-mail to basics@basics.org.