Africa-Press – Liberia. In a bid to strengthen eye care services and promote sustainable health financing at the local level, the Ministry of Health—through its National Eye Health Program and in collaboration with international partner Sightsavers—hosted a one-day eye health stakeholders’ meeting in Phebe, Bong County on Friday, June 6.
Phebe, Bong County – June 10, 2025: The meeting, which brought together a cross-section of civil society actors, persons with disabilities, youth leaders, healthcare professionals, and county authorities, focused on the formal establishment of the Bong County Eye Health Steering Committee. This newly formed committee will spearhead local advocacy efforts and work toward improved eye health service delivery across the county.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Hiaka Hinneh, Acting Director of the National Eye Health Program at the Ministry of Health, outlined the primary goal of the initiative: to integrate eye health into local governance and health planning through representation on the County Health Board.
“We must build a strong and reliable eye care system to meet the needs of our people,” said Mr. Hinneh. “Achieving this requires collective action and the full commitment of all stakeholders.”
Mr. Hinneh underscored the urgent need for county-level action to secure sustainable financing for eye health, including potential allocations in the local government budget and partnerships with the private sector through corporate social responsibility programs.
He called on members of the newly formed committee to serve as ambassadors for eye health in their communities by promoting awareness, coordinating resources, and strengthening service delivery in both rural and urban areas.
Throughout the day-long forum, participants discussed the challenges facing eye health care in Bong County, including limited access to services, lack of public awareness, and insufficient trained personnel. They also explored strategies to ensure eye care becomes a key component of primary health services, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.
The initiative aligns with Liberia’s National Eye Health Strategy, which seeks to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote inclusive healthcare access across the country. By decentralizing efforts through county-led steering committees, the Ministry aims to create a more resilient and responsive eye care system.
Participants expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Sightsavers for facilitating the engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing eye health initiatives in Bong County.
“This forum is a major step toward building an inclusive, community-based approach to health,” said one participant. “We now have a clearer path forward and a shared responsibility to act.”
The meeting concluded with a resolution to prioritize eye health in upcoming county development planning sessions and to strengthen collaboration between government, civil society, and the healthcare sector in addressing preventable blindness and visual impairment.
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