To Modernize Liberia’s Health Records System
Monrovia, Liberia – In order to improve patient care, planning, and decision-making within the Ministry of Health, Dr. John T. Wulu, Jr., a Liberian educator and scientist living in the United States, has put forth a thorough data governance framework to direct Liberia’s transition from paper-based health records to a single Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
On November 5, 2025, in Congo Town, Dr. Wulu gave a talk titled “Data Governance for a Comprehensive Electronic Medical/Health Records (EMR) System in Liberia.” He stressed the importance of good data governance in guaranteeing the accuracy, security, accessibility, and ethical use of health data.
Dr. Benedict B. Kolee, Chief Pathologist at the Ministry of Health, Deputy Minister for Health Services, and Head of the Health Minister’s Delivery Unit, served as the session’s host. Deputy Minister Malayah Tamba Chieyo praised Dr. Wulu in her welcoming remarks for her quick acceptance of the Ministry’s invitation and for sharing her priceless knowledge of contemporary health data systems.
In closing, Assistant Minister Dr. Anthoney Fortune praised the presentation and invited Dr. Wulu to come back for additional discussions with the Ministry’s technical team to improve Liberia’s EMR systems and fill in any gaps.
Dr. Wulu, for his part, emphasized that “accurate data ensures the quality of systems and business processes,” adding that preserving data integrity is essential to attaining a high return on investment and promoting data-driven decision-making in the health sector.
He urged the Ministry to uphold uniform standards and definitions across all platforms and facilities, stressing that “data governance and management are continuous processes, not one-time initiatives.”
Dr. Wulu also emphasized the significance of having a single, reliable source of data to assist efficient reporting and decision-making, calling for clear ownership of data governance roles and adherence to established regulations.
He proposed that data governance initiatives be outcome-driven, concentrating on areas that have the biggest influence, protecting privacy, and encouraging data accessibility for administrators, legislators, and clinicians.
Dr. Wulu urged the Ministry to standardize data definitions, workflows, and formats across healthcare institutions, defining data stewardship as “the management and oversight of an organization’s data assets to ensure that users have access to high-quality, consistent, and readily available data.”
His talk has been praised as a major step in improving evidence-based decision-making in Liberia’s public health sector and updating the nation’s health information system.
Reported by: Prince Saah
