Senate Cites MOH, MFDP, and CSA

— Demands answer to reported delay in 2024 disbursement for health centers across the country

The Liberian Senate has cited the Ministers of Health and Finance including the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to appear on March 18, 2025, and provide clarity on the reported delay in disbursement and/ or payments to various health centers across the country.

The Senate specifically mandated its Secretariat, during its 16th day sitting on March 13, that the three government entities cited be represented by their heads and their principal deputies.

The Senate in its reported fight for accountability, will also demand the Minister of Health to present a copy of the Ministry’s budget and performance report for the fiscal 2024 — including a list of drugs imported and distributed to health centers since taking over as Minister.

The Liberian Senate has also requested the Minister of Health, to appear along with other relevant health institutions including the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the National Drugs Service (NDS) in order to provide information on why health centers are not receiving drugs as per budget support for fiscal year 2024.

The Senate decision was a result of a concern raised by Gbarpolu County Senator, and chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Amara Konneh, who in his assertion to plenary reported that there are complaints across various health centers concerning the delay in payments and medical supports, compounded by citizens dying as a result of common sicknesses.

During the 2024 budget year, the Senate approved over US$70 million in the 2024 fiscal year budget. However, disbursement for this amount has been delayed since allotment was made in 2024.

According to Senator Konneh, some health centers received below 30 percent of their allotments in the 2024 budget, while other counties received up to 80 percent, something the Gbarpolu County Senator views as alarming.

In an effort to adequately address the situation confronting County Health Centers across the country and the status of volunteer healthcare providers, the Plenary has also invited Health Officers of various counties to its consultative meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, along with the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in the Conference room of the President Pro Tempore.