To Fight Maternal Deaths Nationwide
Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has officially launched a revised Registered Midwifery Curriculum aimed at strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare, with authorities and international partners describing the initiative as a major step toward reducing the country’s high maternal and infant mortality rates.
The event demonstrated the nation’s dedication to raising the standard of nursing and midwifery education and guaranteeing fair access to healthcare services, and it was attended by government representatives, development partners, medical experts, and media representatives.
The updated curriculum, developed under a health project implemented by Expertise France and financed through French support, aligns Liberia’s midwifery training with international standards. Additionally, it is intended to improve clinical and practical skills, making graduates more equipped to address the population’s changing health requirements.
Speaking at the event, Humphrey Gibbs Loweal, the chairperson of the Liberia Board for Nursing and Midwifery (LBNM), stated that the new curriculum signifies a national commitment to enhancing maternal and newborn care throughout Liberia rather than just the release of a document.
The launch, he said, “marks the beginning of a new chapter in advancing quality care, strengthening professional practice, and improving health outcomes for women and children across our nation,” the board stressed.
Also, LBNM Registrar Cecelia Kpangbala-Flomo explained that the revised curriculum was developed following a nationwide assessment of existing gaps in midwifery education and aligns with international standards to ensure Liberian midwives meet global professional benchmarks.
Madam Flomo noted that the previous curriculum had become outdated and lacked key components such as mental health, midwifery informatics, entrepreneurship, humanitarian emergency response, and stronger practical clinical training. “We found too much theory and not enough practice. A midwife who cannot perform cannot save lives,” she said.
Speaking, French Ambassador to Liberia H.E Isabelle Le Guellec reaffirmed France’s commitment to Liberia’s health sector through both political engagement and operational support. She highlighted ongoing interventions, including youth mental health studies, drug addiction prevention programs in schools across Montserrado and Grand Bassa, and support for maternal and neonatal health projects.
According to her, France is also backing the “We Are All Patients” initiative, which seeks to improve communication and understanding between healthcare workers and patients, as well as the “Better Health Outcomes for Liberians” program focused on improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
Madam Guellec praised the Liberia Board of Nursing and Midwifery for leading the curriculum revision process, describing it as “Liberian prepared, Liberian owned, and Liberian implemented” with technical support from international partners.
According to Bijay Bharati, Project Manager for Expertise France, the project was created to guarantee that Liberia fully owns the curriculum while receiving financial and technical assistance from foreign partners. “We did not hold the pen. Liberia held the pen. This curriculum belongs to every midwifery school, every student, every midwife, and every mother in every county,” he said.
He disclosed that the curriculum will be printed in May 2026 and distributed to all 10 midwifery institutions, with implementation beginning immediately for new student intakes.
French Development Agency (FDA) Country Representative Eliot Sotty praised the Ministry of Health and the Board for Nursing and Midwifery for their leadership, stressing that the project fits into France’s broader support for Liberia’s health and education sectors. He said beyond curriculum reform, the intervention includes training of trainers, simulation lab support, and institutional strengthening to ensure long-term sustainability.
Reported by: Prince Saah
