The House of Representatives is currently reviewing a proposal to establish a Legislative Caucus on Immunization, which will include members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Rep. Julie Wiah of Lofa County District #2, who is also the Chairperson of the House Health Committee and the driving force behind the caucus, explained that if approved by Plenary, the caucus would serve to strengthen advocacy for increased domestic health funding, enhance parliamentary oversight of immunization programs and financing, and promote the exchange of best practices across the nation.
The Joint Committee on Health and the Judiciary Committee have been assigned to investigate the need and significance of the Legislative Immunization Caucus and report back to Plenary.
In a communication, Rep. Wiah emphasized Liberia’s dependence on donor funding for immunization and primary health care, particularly as external support is expected to decline. She formally requested the establishment of a Legislative Caucus to focus on Immunization and Primary Health Care (PHC) within the National Legislature.
Immunization and PHC are recognized as among the most cost-effective public health interventions, significantly reducing child mortality and improving health outcomes. In Liberia, traditional and routine immunization programs have been crucial in lowering child mortality rates. However, persistent funding gaps and limited domestic financing threaten the sustainability of these gains.
Rep. Wiah also highlighted Liberia’s ongoing struggles with structural vulnerabilities in its health financing system, which have been exacerbated by successive crises such as the Ebola outbreak and the economic impacts of COVID-19. The country’s recovery has been slow, marked by sluggish economic growth, high public debt, and weak global commodity prices. The recent resurgence of Monkeypox (Mpox) further challenges Liberia’s health system and underscores the urgent need for sustainable financing for new vaccines amid an already constrained budget.
"Primary Health Care remains significantly underfunded," Rep. Wiah stated. "Out of US$79.36 million appropriated for PHC over five years, only US$28.21 million was disbursed—just 35.5 percent. By 2024, this figure dropped to 19.6 percent. PHC currently accounts for only 9.6 percent of total health spending, far below the WHO’s recommended minimum of 40 percent. To address this gap, Liberia would need an additional US$10–15 million annually to expand frontline services."
Rep. Wiah further explained that the purpose of the proposed Legislative Caucus on Immunization and PHC would be to:
- Strengthen parliamentary engagement in advancing sustainable domestic financing for immunization and PHC.
- Advocate for increased national budget allocations and earmarked revenues (e.g., taxes or levies) to close funding gaps and fulfill Gavi co-financing commitments.
- Promote accountability and transparency in the use of immunization resources through enhanced legislative oversight.
The caucus would also support legislative and policy initiatives, including the creation of a National Immunization Trust Fund and alignment with national health strategies. Additionally, the caucus would advocate for the passage of key bills related to immunization and PHC and encourage cross-party collaboration to safeguard and expand access to life-saving vaccines and primary health care services.
In a separate matter, the House committees on Health, Judiciary, Education, and Ways, Means, and Finance are investigating a bill to amend the 1972 Act establishing the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center. The amendment would elevate the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts (TNIMA) from a diploma-granting institution to one that awards degrees.
Since its founding in 1945, TNIMA has trained thousands of mid-level healthcare professionals, including nurses, physician assistants, environmental health technicians, and laboratory technicians. It has played a key role in Liberia’s health education sector, providing diplomas after two to three years of study.