Ministry of Health Hosts Nationwide Candlelight Vigil to Highlight Liberia’s Maternal Health Crisis.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia led a solemn nationwide candlelight ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) in memory of women who tragically lost their lives during childbirth. The event aimed not only to honor those who passed but also to spotlight the ongoing challenges surrounding maternal health in the country.
Held across all 15 counties, the ceremony brought together health workers, government officials, traditional leaders, religious institutions, and local communities. It served as both a tribute to the fallen and a powerful call to action against preventable maternal deaths.
Candles were lit in hospitals, health centers, community halls, and town squares each flame symbolizing grief for the lives lost and hope for change in maternal and newborn healthcare. The event began with a moment of silence, followed by remarks from Dr. Jewel Tarpeh-Kollie, Montserrado County Health Officer, who emphasized the human cost behind each death.
Every candle we light tonight stands for a mother, a sister, a wife, a daughter gone too soon, she said. These flames reflect our shared responsibility to change this reality. No woman should lose her life while bringing life into the world.
Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, reinforced the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes. The Ministry of Health remains steadfast in its efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths,” she stated. “We are scaling up emergency obstetric and neonatal care, expanding access to skilled birth attendants, ensuring the availability of essential medicines, and engaging communities to overcome cultural barriers.
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Linda Birch, Chief Executive Officer of JFK Medical Center, urged Liberians to renew their dedication to maternal health. Let this Safe Motherhood Week remind us of our shared duty to protect mothers, safeguard newborns, and build a future where no woman dies giving birth and no child dies from preventable causes, she said.
Across the country, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county health teams and development partners, pledged to turn safe motherhood into lasting policy. The event concluded with a renewed promise to deepen community involvement and take concrete steps to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths in Liberia.