Breaking Barriers: Liberia leading the way in the fight against diabetes

In a world where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant threat to public health, Liberia's Ministry of Health has made remarkable strides in the fight against these silent killers. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Liberia Non-Communicable Diseases Team, the country is stepping up its game in managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other NCDs.

AMP Health, with the generous support of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, has played an important role in supporting the team to advance their work through better leadership and management practices. The partnership with the Liberia Ministry of Health forms part of a $3 million, three-year grant from Helmsley to AMP Health aimed at strengthening leadership and management skills in teams responsible for managing Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other NCDs in Liberia, Malawi, and Mozambique. The grant empowered AMP Health to provide crucial support to public sector teams, fostering the development of essential leadership and management skills necessary to achieve their goals.

Zoe Doe of the Liberia NCD team

One of the standout achievements of the Liberia NCD team, supported by the coaching and mentoring of the embedded AMP Health Management Partner, was the development of clinical guidelines for diabetes management. Recognising that the guidelines in use were outdated, the team set out to develop new guidelines that would contribute to better management of diabetes throughout Liberia. They sought insights from a pool of experts, developed a comprehensive draft, and engaged in a series of sessions to revise and validate the guidelines.

AMP Health played a crucial role in this process, offering targeted training on structuring guidelines, consolidating feedback, and editing documents into a publishable format. The training, involving key ministry officials, consisted of eight workshops and interactive learning sessions to build the team’s skills in planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication. The new guidelines are expected to standardise the treatment of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes across the country, and will be distributed to over 875 health facilities in Liberia.

In another significant accomplishment, the NCD team successfully centralized the coordination and reporting of insulin distribution, a critical component of Type 1 Diabetes management. The initial challenge of inadequate tracking and direct dealings between donors and health facilities was resolved through the dedicated efforts of the Diabetes Coordinator, Mr Denis Kamba. AMP Health's contribution in training Mr Kamba on communication with development partners, drafting Memoranda of Understanding, and consolidating insulin data proved instrumental in this process.

The Liberia NCD team attending the AMP Health Leadership Lab in Maputo, Mozambique

As a result, the Ministry of Health now has oversight of insulin supplies, ensuring quality, efficiency, and effectiveness in the distribution process. The transition from direct donor dealings with hospitals to managing insulin supplies through the Ministry of Health has provided crucial visibility into insulin usage, types, quality, and quantity at hospitals across Liberia.

These achievements underscore the impact of strategic partnerships in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. The Liberia NCD team's dedication, coupled with AMP Health's support and Helmsley's generosity, showcases the potential for positive change in public health systems, ultimately leading to better care and healthier communities.