In collaboration with the World Bank Group, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia has recognized Pleebo Health Center as the “best-performing health facility” after it achieved an impressive score of 81.6% on the performance-based financing (PBF) assessment for primary health facilities. The Maryland County Health Team received this award on October 25, 2024. The PBF model allocates funds to health facilities to deliver a predetermined set of services according to established quality and management standards.
Dr. Shadrach K. Gono, the medical director of Pleebo Health Center, described this recognition as a significant milestone for the health center and Maryland County residents.
“Outperforming several other facilities across at least six counties is truly remarkable. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services and the dedication of our entire team—our staff, the County Health Team, the community, and our exceptional partner, Partners In Health Liberia. We would not have come this far without their support,” Dr. Gono stated.
He emphasized that this acknowledgment reaffirms the value of delivering person-centered care and building strong, integrated primary care platforms. However, Dr. Gono has urged the Ministry of Health, to upgrade Pleebo Health Center to a district hospital, ensuring adequate funding, staffing, supplies, and infrastructure is in place to meet the region’s growing population, particularly pregnant women and newborns.
He highlighted the urgency of this request by noting that the center is located in the most densely populated, commercial district in Maryland County, with a population of 29,051 persons. The facility delivers more babies than James Jenkins Dossen and is responsible for more than 50% of the patient referrals made there.
Given these circumstances and the critical need to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates, Dr. Gono believes there is a strong justification to upgrade the facility.
Once considered a clinical desert, the Pleebo Health Center, supported by Partners In Health (PIH), is located in the commercial city of Pleebo, over 700 kilometers from Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. This recognition aligns with PIH’s tenth-anniversary celebration in Liberia, during which numerous stakeholders described the center as a beacon of hope for primary healthcare delivery in the country.
“I visited the hospital in Pleebo, and it was fantastic! For example, the lab is impressive,” said Dr. Clement L. Peter, the World Health Organization’s Country Representative to Liberia. “Partners In Health has done remarkable work in Liberia, demonstrating a commitment to areas most in need rather than competing in urban settings.”
New Emergency Building at Pleebo Health Center. Photo by Luther N. Mafalleh
However, Pleebo Health Center was not always viewed positively. Mr. Eugene Glomah, the Clinical Supervisor of the Maryland County Health Team, recalled the overwhelming challenges he faced as the Officer in Charge (OIC) before PIH arrived. “We encountered numerous difficulties related to human resources and infrastructure. The facility was small, and only three professional staff members—myself and two midwives—operated a 24-hour service at Pleebo Health Center,” Mr. Glomah recounted. He noted the lack of essential facilities, such as a placenta or burn pit, at that time.
Similarly, Ms. Louise Toe, the Emergency Department Supervisor at Pleebo Health Center, expressed her reluctance to reflect on the center’s past.
“There were so many deaths, including maternal mortality, before Partners In Health came here. My oldest sister was one of the victims, which is why I don’t like to talk about it,” Ms. Toe shared.
At that time, a makeshift tarpaulin structure accommodated patients’ minor emergency needs. However, the partnership between Partners In Health (PIH) and the Government of Liberia has transformed this facility into a modern, fully equipped emergency department. It is now the largest primary health center in Maryland County, upgraded significantly from a three-bed postpartum unit and one delivery bed to a facility with nine and three beds.
The former makeshift tarpaulin structure for emergency services at the new Pleebo Health Center. Photo by Luther N. Mafalleh / PIH
Dr. Maxo Luma, Executive Director of Partners In Health (PIH) Liberia, emphasized that the previous conditions at Pleebo Health Center should be left behind.
“This is the same Pleebo where I once witnessed a motorcycle rider with a broken bone, and, sadly, there was no one available to provide the necessary care,” Dr. Luma recalled. “We did what we could and referred the patient to Tapeta, but unfortunately, the patient didn’t make it there. We always remember that.”
Part of the old Pleebo Health Center. Photo by Rebecca E. Rollins / PIH
Thanks to a successful partnership, the Pleebo Health Center has transformed into a facility that any healthcare advocate in Liberia would be proud of. It now features a comprehensive community health program, and its positive impact on health outcomes in Liberia has gained recognition.
“I visited the Southeast a year ago and saw the results of community health efforts—maternal mortality has significantly decreased,” noted Dr. Peter. He acknowledged that this change is not solely due to significant investments but involves raising community awareness, ensuring that mothers attend antenatal care, and facilitating early referrals when necessary.
Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Liberia’s former Minister of Health, confirmed that the model introduced by Partners In Health (PIH) Liberia to reduce maternal mortality has successfully been replicated in other counties. She explained, “When we began our efforts in Liberia, the maternal mortality rate was alarmingly high at around 1,049. We managed to reduce it to 737.”
“We needed to achieve further reductions because many countries have significantly lower rates,” Dr. Jallah said. “When we examined the statistics for Maryland County, we noticed that while overall maternal mortality had decreased, the situation in Maryland County showed considerable improvement. It appeared promising. Importantly, we didn’t need to look outside the country for solutions; PIH had already implemented successful strategies within Liberia.”
Although the work at Pleebo Health Center is ongoing, recognition from the Ministry of Health and the World Bank Group highlights the hope for dignified healthcare services as a human right for the people of Maryland County and southeastern Liberia.
Dr. Gono stated that this recognition motivates the team to work harder for the community’s best interests, maintaining the high standards they have established in the country.
“It’s not just about the score. It’s about the sustainability of the score, the bar we have set, and the trust placed in us. It pushes us to do more work to remain competitive and continue being outstanding; to be a shining star, you must work harder,” he said.
Over the past decade, the partnership with the Maryland County Health Team has transformed what was once a medical desert into a beacon of hope and a preferred choice for care, saving lives and upholding the dignity of people in the region and residents of the neighboring Ivory Coast. Partners In Health Liberia (PIH-L) is committed to working alongside the Ministry of Health, the Government of Liberia, and the communities it serves. The goal is to establish meaningful local partnerships and build healthcare delivery systems that improve access, utilization, and quality for all.
