Published: July 10, 2025
GBARNGA, Bong County — Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Bong County Health Officer, says Liberia’s persistently high rate of maternal deaths is largely due to bad roads and the long distances many women must travel to reach health facilities, despite government policies prohibiting home births.
Speaking at the launch of Safe Motherhood Week in Gbarnga, Dr. Sibley acknowledged that while most traditional midwives are now complying with health mandates to refer pregnant women to medical centers, poor road conditions continue to hinder lifesaving access to healthcare.
“Before, midwives used to handle deliveries at home,” Dr. Sibley said. “But now, they are taking pregnant women to health centers. Unfortunately, the roads are so bad that getting there on time is still a major challenge.”
He described how pregnant women in remote villages are often carried in hammocks over long distances because vehicles cannot pass on the deteriorated roads. Many women experience complications during transport and, in some cases, die en route to health facilities.
“These deaths often occur because of delays caused by the terrible roads,” Dr. Sibley said. “We need to improve our infrastructure and build a stronger health system. Our hospitals must be well-equipped.”
The event, held under the theme “Every Birth Counts: Strengthening Care for Mothers and Newborns,” also honored dozens of traditional midwives for their role in referring pregnant women to health centers in hard-to-reach areas.
According to the most recent data from the World Bank, Liberia’s maternal mortality rate stood at 628 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2023. While this marks a significant decline from 1,749 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000, the country remains far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Dr. Sibley called on the public and stakeholders to support maternal health awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas where access to care remains limited.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Edith Telewoyan, Director of Nursing Services at Phebe Hospital, identified additional causes of maternal mortality, including poor hygiene practices, limited awareness of maternal health, inadequate newborn care, and improper neonatal feeding.
She urged the Ministry of Health to take immediate steps to address these challenges, particularly in underserved communities.
One particularly troubling example is the Gbarnga-Kokoyah road, which connects several towns and villages to the county capital. The road is in deplorable condition, frequently making it impassable for vehicles. Health officials say some women are forced to give birth along the way, and others die before reaching a clinic.
“This is not just a health issue; it’s an infrastructure crisis,” Dr. Sibley said.
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