Problems and challenges

At the moment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, Liberia’s health system was weakened and vulnerable from the civil war, which decimated the nation’s health system. This has led to great brain drain of (potential) health professionals migrating overseas or not returning after completing their health profession degree overseas. Consequently Liberia is facing significant challenges in health management, including human resource management.

LBNM and JFK/ TNIMA have the responsibility of providing training and regulatory oversight to health professionals. Unfortunately we have not been able to carry this out efficiently, partly due to lack of funds and experts to conduct in-service trainings. Although those in managerial / supervisory positions meet the qualification, often lack experience and on-going training hampers their work performance; for some, this is the first position after graduating from (medical) university. Resulting in their inability to properly manage resources and planning for delivering health services, as well as, provide the necessary leadership, guidance and mentorship.

To transform LBNM and JFK, it is essential to equip staff with tools and skills to enhance their ability to own oversight and positively mentor a team of nursing and midwifery personnel.

Results

After the training participants were able to implement trained Leadership and Management competences in their working places. The link with developing morale and team spirit for organizational development, contributing to improved health worker’s performance, and eventually contributing to delivering quality health services became clearer and lots of tools, best practices and own experiences were shared. Critically reflecting on one’s own role was eye opening!