Family medicine and primary health care in Liberia

Abstract

This country profile examines the development of family medicine (FM) and primary health care (PHC) in Liberia, a low-income West African nation with significant health and socioeconomic challenges. Liberia’s PHC system is structured across three tiers and relies heavily on community health workers to serve dispersed and underserved populations. Family medicine is an emerging specialty, crucial for strengthening PHC and advancing universal health coverage, especially in rural areas facing workforce shortages. The Family Medicine Specialty Training Program, launched in 2017, addresses the deficit of rural healthcare providers through comprehensive, context-specific education and rural rotations. Family physicians contribute at multiple levels of the health system, providing clinical care, mentorship, and leadership. The Society of Family Physicians of Liberia supports professional development and advocacy. Despite ongoing challenges, Liberia’s integration of FM and PHC, supported by national and international partnerships, demonstrates significant progress and offers valuable lessons for building resilient health systems in low-resource settings.