Liberia Launches National TB Accelerated Plan and Establishes Parliamentary TB Caucus

Launch of the National Tuberculosis Accelerated Plan and establishment of the Liberia TB Legislative Caucus

Liberia’s Ministry of Health has officially launched the National Tuberculosis Accelerated Plan and formally established the Liberia TB Legislative Caucus, marking a major step forward in strengthening political leadership and accountability in the fight against tuberculosis.

The launch, led through the Ministry’s National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Program, brought together government officials, lawmakers, development partners and international advocates, including the World Health Organization, the Global TB Caucus and Plan International. Regional and global partners joined virtually, reflecting the shared international commitment to end TB.

The event culminated in the signing of the Liberia Parliamentary TB Caucus Barcelona Declaration, the founding declaration of the Global TB Caucus and a global pledge by political leaders to accelerate action to end the tuberculosis epidemic.

Opening the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Health, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services Dr Cuallau J. Howe described the moment as a critical milestone in Liberia’s public health agenda.

“The establishment of the Liberia TB Legislative Caucus creates a formal platform for lawmakers to champion TB prevention, control and financing, while strengthening oversight and accountability,” Dr Howe stated.

Senator Dabah D. Varpilah of Cape Mount County, Chairperson of the Senate Health Committee, signed the Barcelona Declaration on behalf of the Liberian Legislature alongside committee members.

“The fight against tuberculosis is everyone’s business,” Senator Varpilah said. “The disease is among us and around us. Sometimes, those who carry the virus are not known until testing confirms it. That reality demands collective responsibility and sustained political action.”

The National Tuberculosis Accelerated Plan outlines a targeted response to persistent gaps in prevention, detection and treatment. It prioritises intensified case finding, improved treatment outcomes, stronger community engagement and a reinforced health system response across Liberia’s counties.

A central objective of the plan is to mobilise political and financial commitment, including advocating for the integration of TB programming into the national budget to ensure sustainable domestic financing.

The strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy, which calls for integrated, patient centred care, bold policies and supportive systems, and intensified research and innovation to end the global TB epidemic.

The launch also drew regional and international participation via Zoom, underscoring Liberia’s role in a broader regional effort to translate political commitments into concrete action. Participants included Hon. Pierre Flambeau Ngayap, Senator of Cameroon and Global Vice Chair of the Global TB Caucus; Deborah Ikeh, Director of Programmes at the Global TB Caucus; Apostle Dr David Kwesi Afreh, Executive Consulting Secretary and former National Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Ghana; and Joel Tshishiku Musampa, West and Central Africa Regional Manager of the Global TB Caucus.

Speakers highlighted that tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases despite being preventable and curable. They emphasised that sustained parliamentary engagement is essential to secure funding, strengthen health systems and ensure national commitments are translated into measurable impact.

With the launch of its Accelerated Plan and the formal establishment of its Parliamentary TB Caucus, Liberia has reinforced its commitment to decisive political leadership in the effort to end TB.