By: Edmund C. Gbarwee, Nimba D-9 TV Public Health Reporter, ceo@onenimbahouse.com Nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com +231778070604
Sanniquellie City, Nimba County – Liberia: In a major step toward improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Nimba County, the Nimba Women Initiative (NWI), a Diaspora-based organization of Nimba women, has donated a state-of-the-art modern delivery set valued at over US$5,000 to G.W. Harley Hospital, the county’s oldest and most historic health facility.
The donation, made under the visionary leadership of Madame Elaine Blanton, Executive Director of NWI, is expected to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the county and support efforts to improve the overall health and well-being of women and girls in Nimba and across Liberia.
The presentation ceremony took place in Sanniquellie City and brought smiles and hope to the mothers, health workers, and community leaders who attended.
Speaking on behalf of the NWI during the handover, a representative of the organization expressed gratitude to the hospital’s management and staff for their dedication to saving lives and reaffirmed NWI’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to healthcare in the county.
“This donation represents our way of giving back to the land that raised us. We believe that no woman should die while giving life, and every child deserves a healthy start,” she emphasized.
Receiving the donation, the hospital’s administration expressed sincere thanks to NWI for their timely and impactful intervention. They assured the delegation that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose, to provide safe and quality care during childbirth and reduce complications associated with delivery.
“This comes at a critical time,” a senior health worker noted. “We have been in dire need of such equipment to support our maternal care efforts. We are deeply grateful.”
Broader Context of Women’s Health in Nimba and Liberia:
Despite progress in recent years, Liberia still faces significant challenges in maternal and newborn health. Many women in rural areas continue to give birth without skilled care, often in under-resourced health facilities. According to recent health indicators, maternal mortality in Liberia remains among the highest in the world, with institutional deliveries and access to emergency obstetric care still limited in some counties, including Nimba.
However, thanks to partnerships with community-based organizations like NWI, there is renewed hope. The health of women and girls, especially reproductive health, access to antenatal services, family planning, and sexual health education, is gradually improving as more resources are mobilized to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery.
The donation from NWI is not just a one-time gesture; it’s a symbol of diaspora commitment to sustainable development in Liberia. It aligns with national and global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly the target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio.
About NWI:
Nimba Women Initiative (NWI) is a vibrant network of Nimba women in the diaspora committed to community development, women’s empowerment, and public health support. Through targeted donations, advocacy, and partnerships, the organization seeks to uplift vulnerable women and children and build stronger, healthier communities across Nimba County and Liberia.
