AGP Executive Report

Women’s Health: A Monrovia-based report highlights the long wait for obstetric fistula surgery in Liberia, telling the story of a young woman left with lifelong incontinence after prolonged obstructed labour and delayed care. Immunization & Cold Chain: Nimba County dedicated a new EPI cold-chain depot to improve vaccine storage, reduce wastage, and strengthen immunization outreach. Health Supplies: Liberia’s Ministry of Health began distributing essential medicines and medical supplies to 600+ facilities nationwide under its quarterly supply exercise. Public Finance for Health: The World Bank says Liberia could unlock up to 5.3% of GDP in fiscal space by 2030 through reforms—money that could support roads, electricity, and human capital including healthcare. Governance & Service Delivery: County Superintendents are urged to prioritize Education, Health, Roads, and Agriculture to translate national plans into grassroots results. Legal/Health Access: Jewel Howard-Taylor was granted compassionate medical leave and moved to 24-hour guarded house detention, keeping her drug case ongoing. Global Health Threat: WHO warns the DRC Ebola outbreak could become a global pandemic, while a Pan African trial registry lists an oral Ebola drug study ready to start.

Public Health & Immunization: Nimba County has opened a modern EPI cold-chain depot to improve vaccine storage, reduce wastage, and strengthen immunization outreach after replacing a cramped facility. Health Systems & Access: Liberia’s Ministry of Health has begun distributing essential medicines and medical supplies to 600+ facilities nationwide as part of its third-quarter supply exercise. Digital Health & Skills: CSquared, with Microsoft support, moved its Ganta broadband and digital learning programme from a grant pilot to a commercially operated service, training 1,200+ students. Local Governance for Health: A new push highlights how Liberia’s county superintendents are expected to prioritize education, health, roads, and agriculture to translate national plans into grassroots results. Justice & Health: Former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor received compassionate medical leave and is now under 24-hour state security at her residence while her drug case continues. Fiscal Space for Health: The World Bank says Liberia could unlock 3.9%–5.3% of GDP in fiscal gains by 2030 through revenue, spending efficiency, and better risk management—key for funding services like healthcare.

Public Health Supply: Liberia’s Ministry of Health began its third-quarter nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies to 600+ health facilities across all 15 counties, with deliveries already completed in Regions One and Two and underway in Region Three. Immunization Readiness: Nimba County received a newly built EPI cold-chain depot to strengthen vaccine storage and reduce wastage, supported by WHO, Gavi and UNICEF. Justice & Health Access: Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor was granted compassionate medical leave and moved from prison to 24-hour guarded house detention at her Sinkor residence, with court-ordered restrictions tied to her ongoing drug case. Fiscal Health: The World Bank launched Liberia’s Public Finance Review 2026, urging stronger domestic revenue collection and better public spending to create “fiscal space” for development priorities. Community Wellness & Women’s Health: UN Women began cash disbursements to women’s savings groups in eight counties, supporting grassroots financial resilience that can help households manage health needs. Animal Health & Care: West African chimpanzees at Liberia’s Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge received head-to-toe health checks as part of long-term care.

Health Supply Push: Liberia’s Ministry of Health has started its third-quarter nationwide distribution, sending essential medicines and medical supplies to 600+ health facilities across all 15 counties, with deliveries already completed in Regions One and Two and underway in Region Three. Immunization Boost: Nimba County received a newly built EPI cold-chain depot to strengthen vaccine storage, cut wastage, and improve routine immunization and campaign readiness, supported by WHO, Gavi, UNICEF and partners. Drug Enforcement Capacity: The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) certified 28 officers after specialized training in criminal investigation and evidence handling, aiming to strengthen prosecutions. Women’s Economic Health: UN Women began cash disbursements to nearly 1,500 women in 49 savings and farming groups across eight counties, moving from training into grant capital. Public Finance Watch: The World Bank is set to launch a major review of Liberia’s public finances, focusing on how domestic revenue and spending efficiency can translate into real development. Animal Health & Care: West African chimpanzees at a central Liberia sanctuary received head-to-toe health checks, including dental and X-ray exams, as part of long-term care. Justice & Medical Relief: Former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor was moved to 24-hour guarded house detention for medical reasons while her drug case continues.

Liberia Justice & Health Access: Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor was released from detention on “humanitarian” grounds and placed under strict house arrest, with court-ordered medical care outside prison and limits on travel and visitors as her drug case continues. DR Congo Ebola Watch: The DRC Ebola outbreak has surged past 6,500 cases and nearly 3,150 deaths, with WHO warning response must scale up and vaccine trials discussed as the crisis spreads beyond Ituri. Wildlife Health & Wellness: Rescued chimpanzees once used in hepatitis B vaccine research in Liberia are receiving head-to-toe medical checks—teeth cleaning, X-rays, blood and fecal tests, and mobility exams—at a central Liberia sanctuary. Women’s Health & Rights: UNFPA urged faster action on women and girls’ health in Liberia, focusing on family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, and tackling gender-based violence amid declining development assistance. GBV Reporting Tech: CHI and My Watchman launched a digital system in New Kru Town to strengthen confidential sexual and gender-based violence reporting, referrals, and survivor support coordination. Health System Capacity: Liberia’s push to decentralize specialized care continues with plans tied to Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital’s upgrade to a regional referral hospital, aiming to boost northeast services.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of the Congo reports Ebola has passed 6,500 infections and nearly 3,150 deaths, with Ituri still driving most cases—prompting renewed calls to scale up response and speed up vaccine trials. Liberia Sanctuary Care: West African chimpanzees rescued from hepatitis B research are receiving head-to-toe health checks at a central Liberia refuge, including dental work and X-rays, as staff tailor lifelong care for critically endangered animals. Court-Ordered Medical Leave for Jewel Howard-Taylor: Liberia’s Criminal Court “C” granted former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor compassionate release on medical grounds, moving her to guarded house detention with strict conditions like surrendering travel documents and limiting visitors. GBV Reporting Gets a Digital Boost: In New Kru Town, CHI and My Watchman are launching confidential digital reporting for sexual and gender-based violence, aiming to connect survivors to referrals and support faster. Women’s Health and Rights Push: UNFPA urges Liberia to accelerate progress on family planning, maternal health, and ending gender-based violence as development assistance tightens.

Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO says the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached a new grim high, with deaths topping 3,000 and cases over 6,000, as health teams push to find and stop every chain of transmission. Animal Health & Conservation (Liberia): Rescued chimpanzees once used in hepatitis B vaccine research are receiving head-to-toe medical checks at Liberia’s Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge, including dental care and X-rays, with staff tailoring lifelong care plans. Justice & Health (Liberia): Liberia’s Criminal Court “C” ordered former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor moved from prison to heavily guarded house detention for medical reasons, while a co-defendant challenges the ruling and lawyers continue to press for proper care. GBV Support (New Kru Town): CHI and My Watchman are launching confidential digital reporting for sexual and gender-based violence, aiming to connect survivors faster to referral services and follow-up support. WASH for Health (Grand Cape Mount): CRS Liberia dedicated new latrines and a rehabilitated water source in Massatine to cut diarrhea-linked sanitation problems. Women’s Health & Rights (UNFPA): UNFPA urges Liberia to speed up work on family planning, maternal health, and ending gender-based violence as development funding tightens.

Chimpanzee Health Care in Liberia: Former lab chimps used in hepatitis B vaccine experiments are getting “head-to-toe” checkups at the Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge, including dental cleanings, X-rays, blood and fecal tests, and mobility assessments as caretakers plan lifelong care for aging, critically endangered animals. DR Congo Ebola Update: WHO and Congolese health authorities report the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has surpassed 3,000 deaths and 6,000+ confirmed cases, with calls to scale up response as the crisis spreads across provinces. Women’s Health & GBV Support: UNFPA urges Liberia to accelerate progress on family planning, maternal health, and ending gender-based violence amid shrinking development assistance, while CHI and My Watchman launch confidential digital GBV reporting and referral coordination in New Kru Town. Local Health Infrastructure: CRS Liberia dedicates new WASH facilities in Massatine, Grand Cape Mount County—latrines for a school, church, and community clinic plus a rehabilitated water source—to cut diarrhea-linked sanitation problems. Health Access via Policy: Liberia’s justice system moves to allow former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor medical care under strict conditions, highlighting how health needs intersect with detention rules.

Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO says the Congo outbreak is now the deadliest in the country’s history, with deaths surpassing 3,000 and cases over 6,000, as officials push to scale up response and find every chain of transmission. GBV & Confidential Care (New Kru Town): CHI and My Watchman launch digital GBV reporting to improve confidential referrals, case tracking, and access to survivor support services. Animal Health (Liberia sanctuary): Rescued lab chimpanzees at Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge Liberia receive “head-to-toe” checks—blood and fecal tests, ultrasounds, dental care, heart/lung exams—to guide lifelong treatment. Health Access Under Court Order (Jewel Howard-Taylor): Criminal Court “C” grants compassionate medical release for ex-Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, with strict conditions including travel document surrender and limited visitors. Public Health Infrastructure (CRS WASH): CRS Liberia dedicates new latrines and a rehabilitated water source in Massatine, Grand Cape Mount, aiming to cut diarrhea linked to poor sanitation. Workplace Health & Pay (Nimba): Ganta Methodist Hospital ordered to clear salary arrears and raise pay to Liberia’s minimum wage after a labor inspection.

GBV Support in New Kru Town: CHI and My Watchman will launch confidential digital reporting for sexual and gender-based violence, aiming to improve referrals, case tracking, and access to survivor services. Women’s Health Push: UNFPA urges Liberia to speed up action on women and girls’ health, including family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, and tackling gender-based violence. Ebola Alarm (DRC): WHO says the DRC outbreak is the worst on record, with deaths now above 3,000 and calls to scale up response and break transmission chains; vaccine and treatment trials are being pursued. Immunization Leadership: Liberia’s Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. named First Vice Chair of Africa CDC’s Continental Immunization Advisory Council, strengthening regional vaccine and primary healthcare focus. Health Access via WASH: CRS Liberia dedicates new water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in Massatine, Grand Cape Mount, targeting diarrhea linked to poor sanitation. Justice & Health Services: Liberia’s court process for Jewel Howard Taylor faces delays as her defense seeks compassionate leave amid health concerns. Workplace Health & Pay: Nimba Labour orders Ganta Methodist Hospital to clear salary arrears and raise pay to meet Liberia’s minimum wage. Animal Health: Former lab chimpanzees at a Liberia sanctuary receive full medical checks, including dental care and heart/lung assessments.

Ebola Watch (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has hit record levels, with 3,007 deaths and 6,186 confirmed cases as WHO urges the world to scale up the response and find hidden chains of transmission; Vaccines & Trials: WHO says vaccine and treatment trials are being pushed, with potential vaccine efficacy trials planned for next month or November. Liberia Court Update: In Monrovia, there was no ruling on former VP Jewel Howard Taylor’s compassionate leave request after the judge failed to appear, leaving her health-related legal status unchanged. Health & Safety in Liberia: Nimba County ordered Ganta Methodist Hospital to pay salary arrears and raise pay to at least US$143 per month after a labor probe found workers were below the legal minimum wage. Community Health (WASH): CRS Liberia dedicated new water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Massatine, Grand Cape Mount, including latrines for a school, church, and community clinic to cut recurring diarrhea linked to poor sanitation. Immunization Leadership: Liberia’s Senator Snowe was named First Vice Chair of Africa CDC’s Continental Immunization Advisory Council. Human Rights & Justice: Victims of Liberia’s biggest human trafficking case are demanding a fast, transparent investigation into the death of trafficking victim Ophelia Melway.

Ebola Watch: WHO chief Tedros says the DRC Ebola response must be scaled up, warning that transmission chains still aren’t fully tracked and broken as deaths pass 3,000 and cases near 6,200—pushing for faster funding and stronger treatment capacity. Local Health & Water: CRS Liberia dedicated new WASH facilities in Massatine, Grand Cape Mount—four latrines plus a rehabilitated water source—aimed at cutting diarrhea linked to open defecation. Health Systems & Jobs: Nimba Labour orders Ganta United Methodist Hospital to pay salary arrears and raise pay to Liberia’s minimum wage (US$143/month), after findings some workers were underpaid. Public Health Leadership: Liberia’s Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. named First Vice Chair of Africa CDC’s Continental Immunization Advisory Council, joining Mercy Ahun as Chair. Health, Justice & Rights: Victims’ families in Liberia’s biggest human trafficking case are demanding a fast, transparent investigation into the death of Ophelia Melway, with prosecutors considering homicide charges. Food & Nutrition: CARI unveils new technologies to boost Liberia’s food production and help farmers apply research directly in the field. Health Funding Risk: Report says Liberia faces an 84% US health funding cut under new US bilateral health financing plans. Workplace Safety & Care: Armed robbers raid CRC-MOPP offices in Maryland County, injuring staff and stealing payroll money intended for workers’ salaries.

Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO chief Tedros says the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo must be scaled up, warning that transmission chains are still not fully found and broken as deaths pass 3,000 and confirmed cases reach 6,186; he points to gaps in contact tracking and unsafe burials, while noting vaccine and treatment efforts are moving forward. Liberia Health Funding: A report says Liberia is among countries facing steep U.S. health funding cuts through 2030, with co-financing demands that may not match local priorities—raising concerns for outbreak readiness and frontline health staffing. Malnutrition Crisis (Liberia): Health workers warn misinformation, fees at public facilities, and aid cuts are driving a rise in severely malnourished babies, with fewer children getting timely treatment. Justice & Health Access (Liberia): In the drug case involving former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor, her defense seeks postponements tied to medical records and an independent evaluation, highlighting how health access can affect court timelines. Community Health Literacy (Liberia): NAEAL trains 10 adult literacy monitors in Bong to expand community education, including health literacy, in underserved areas.

DR Congo Ebola Update: Congo’s Ebola outbreak keeps surging, with confirmed cases crossing 6,100 and deaths now above 3,000 as health teams struggle with insecurity, weak surveillance, and community resistance—WHO warns the crisis is still out of control. Liberia Nutrition Alarm: In Grand Bassa, health workers say rising severe malnutrition is being driven by misinformation and fees at public facilities, with many caregivers not exclusively breastfeeding babies under six months and families lacking first-line treatment tools. Liberia Health System Upgrade: Liberia is pushing decentralised care as the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita moves forward with upgrades and expansion, including work to strengthen emergency services. Justice & Health Access: The drug case involving former VP Jewel Howard-Taylor is delayed as her defense seeks medical records and an independent medical evaluation before she returns to court. Youth & Drug Response: The Federation of Liberian Youth backs the government’s crackdown on transnational drug trafficking, calling for sustained investigations and accountability beyond arrests.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Democratic Republic of Congo health authorities report the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has passed 6,000 cases and 2,911 deaths, with 1,360+ recoveries; WHO warns the outbreak is still out of control as insecurity, displacement, and health-worker strikes hamper response. Frontline Violence: Response teams faced attacks, including an incident tied to a burial site in Ituri, underlining how safety risks are slowing containment. Liberia Malnutrition Alarm: In Liberia, health workers warn of a worsening rise in severely malnourished babies, driven by misinformation about infant feeding, service fees at public facilities, and reduced support for treatment—leaving many children without care. Kidney Disease Crisis: A new report says 800,000 Liberians may have kidney disease, with most cases preventable through early urine testing, but weak screening and late diagnosis are pushing many toward fatal outcomes. Health System Boost in Nimba: Liberia’s Jackson Fiah Doe Hospital upgrade is moving forward to strengthen regional referral care, while Partners In Health Liberia donated $71,000 in medical equipment to Maryland County facilities. Global Health Funding Pressure: US global health funding is under scrutiny, with reports of underspending and steep co-financing demands that could hit access to care in countries including Liberia.

Ebola Update (DRC): The Democratic Republic of Congo says Ebola has surged past 6,000 cases with about 2,911 deaths, while more than 1,360 recoveries offer a small bright spot. Officials warn the outbreak is still out of control as insecurity, displacement, and even attacks on response teams disrupt care. Liberia Health System (Northeast): Liberia is upgrading Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital in Tappita, Nimba—adding emergency and ICU capacity and expanding staff housing—aimed at strengthening specialized care beyond Monrovia. County Care (Maryland): Partners In Health Liberia donated about US$71,000 in medical equipment to J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper, including patient monitors and portable ultrasound, to boost diagnosis and treatment. Maternal & Child Nutrition Crisis: Health workers report a rise in severely malnourished babies, blaming misinformation, fees at public facilities, and aid cuts—while caregivers continue to misunderstand infant feeding. Health & Policy (Energy access): President Boakai suspended import tariffs on qualifying off-grid solar products to lower costs and expand reliable power for underserved communities. Youth & Wellness (Girls): A Liberia girls’ empowerment football camp highlighted reproductive health taboos and period hygiene gaps, pushing for stronger support after the program ends.