Insights into Liberia’s programme to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases
Liberia
LiberiaRita Jlogbe, a Liberian journalist with over a decade’s experience covering issues such as development, human rights and the environment, has recently uncovered a reality that rarely makes the headlines: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
An integrated model to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
Her collaboration with the Anesvad Foundation enabled her to document the Liberian Ministry of Health’s national programme to combat NTDs, funded by the World Health Organisation, the Anesvad Foundation and other partners such as Effect Hope and Hope Rises. The project, known as TRANSFORM, aims to assess the impact of this programme on communities across the country.
“The social stigma faced by people suffering from these diseases runs deep.”
At first, Rita shared the widespread lack of awareness amongst the Liberian population, particularly in rural areas, where diseases such as lymphatic filariasis or Buruli ulcer are associated with superstitions and witchcraft. In her own words, “the social stigma faced by people suffering from these diseases runs deep, and it is their families who suffer most from this discrimination.”
However, her work during the production of the documentary Transform the Neglected gave her a first-hand understanding of the Ministry’s approach to controlling and eliminating these diseases.
“Through interviews with key staff, I gained insight into the transition from separate departments, each dealing with specific NTDs, to a more integrated approach.“
“During our visits to the communities, I witnessed first-hand the effectiveness of this integrated system, observing how patients and their families approached our team with confidence to ask for help – a clear sign of the reduction in the stigma surrounding NTDs.”
Whilst working on the documentary, Rita learnt about the transition towards an integrated approach: a single department coordinating all NTDs, thereby improving efficiency and the response. The organisational structure divides the 15 counties into three regions, each with regional supervisors, which streamlines detection and care at community level, where Community Health Workers play a key role in identifying cases and referring them for treatment.
Impact on public trust and perception
Initiatives by the Ministry and various community actors have transformed social perceptions of these diseases. Rita highlights the work of professionals such as the surgeon specialising in skin grafts for patients with Buruli ulcer, an example of commitment and hope for those who were previously marginalised. These advances reflect how trust in the healthcare system has been restored following the Ebola crisis, thanks to transparency and community participation.
A renewed commitment to health
Liberia is establishing itself as a leader in public health and the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), offering a model that could be replicated elsewhere. As Rita explains, “I recognise that public trust in Liberia’s healthcare system has been significantly restored since the Ebola crisis, which highlighted systemic weaknesses. The Ministry of Health’s proactive efforts to engage communities and address health concerns transparently have helped to rebuild this trust.”
Following this experience, Rita aims to boost media coverage of health and Neglected Tropical Diseases. Furthermore, as national coordinator of Remapsen, the African Media Network for Health and Environmental Promotion, she plans to train fellow journalists and collaborate with the Ministry to strengthen awareness campaigns.
The TRANSFORM project, as its name suggests, has also transformed Rita’s perspective on the intersection between health, communication and community participation. Her aim now is to ensure that NTDs are no longer overlooked in the national debate, by promoting accurate information and fostering health equity in Liberia and beyond.
