Health Ministry Act

SECTION 1: TITLE . - ·- _,& .;. • • • • • • • This· Act is and shall be called An Act to Am.end the New Executive Law of 1972 to establish the Ministry of Health. I I l

SECTION 2: SHORT TITLE This Act may be cited as the ''Health Ministry Act''.

SECTION 3: OBJECTIVES • The objective of this Act is to -amend the Act establishing the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to create and establish the Ministry of Health.

SECTION 4: REPEALS AND AMENDMENT The provisions of the following law are hereby expressly repealed insofar as they relate to the establishment of the Ministry of Health: 1 .- (a) All provisions referencing health of Chapter 30, Ministry of Health and Social welfare of the Executive Law, Title 12, Liberian Code of Laws Revised, are hereby repealed and related functions and powers as are provided under Chapter 30, with respect to health are transferred to the Ministry of Health; (b) Notwithstanding the repeal of the aforementioned provisions of Chapter 30, al I Acts as well as all Executive Orders amendatory thereto, any contract, order, decision or anything made or done before the coming into force of this Act, which was duly authorized in keeping with the repealed Act, shall be valid and continue to be in full force and effect as if made or done under this Act.

SECTION 5: CHANGE OF NAME OF CHAPTER 30, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND • SOCIAL WELFARE EXECUTIVE LAW, TITLE12, LIBERIAN CODE OF LAWS, REVISED Chapter 30, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Executive Law, Title 12, Liberian Code of ', I Laws Revised is hereby repealed·, an_d ''Chapter 39 Ministry of Health'' is hereby created to read i as follows : • Chapter 39. MIN·ISTRY OF HEALTH ... _ . _ -- ... --. --r;....__ ----- - -·- • I ' i

§39.1. Definitions '•I I §39.2. Establishment of_the Ministry .I I §39.3. Mandate of the Ministry i I §39.4. Functions of the Ministry I §39.5. Structure of the Ministry ' §39.6. Appointment and Duties of the Minister of Health

§39.7. Appointment of the Deputy Ministers . ' I §39.8. Duties of Deputy Minister for Health Services . ' •I I §39.9. Duties of Deputy Minister for Policy, Planning and M&E I I §39.10. Duties of Deputy Minister for Administration

§39.11. Appointment of Assistant Ministers and Portfoiio

§39.12. Office of Financial Management ,

§39.1. Definitions. , I In this Act, u11less the context otherwise requires: I • ''Minister'' means the Minister of Health; ''Ministry'' means the Ministry of Health; 2 ''M&E'' means Monitoring and Evaluation; • ''ICT'' means Information, Communication and Technology.

§39.2. Establishment of the Ministry There is hereby established in the Executive Branch of Government, the Ministry of Health hereinafter referred to as the Ministry~

§39.3. Mandate of the Ministry The Ministry shall be responsible for the formulation, implementation monitoring and evaluation of healtt1 policies, plans and standards; deliver, coordinate ~. the delivery of decentralized medical care in public facilities; develop health manpower; und&rtake preventive and promote health services incll1ding specific health interventions.

§39.4.Functions of the Ministry The Ministry's core functions shall be to: J ) _ Qev.~!9P a~d . ~_29rdinat~ . ~~~e development of sector - policies, pl~I)S,_ 2 t~ndards and • I regulations; Ji: -_ . . I I (b) maintain national health management information system vvhich includes data relating to births, deaths and burials; I (c) coordinate and promote the conducting of health and health-related research; I I • • (d) provide medical care and treatme(\t through public health facilities and decentralize l ·' I•• such medical care and treatment; I I • . (e) deliver preventive services and promote family, environmental and occupational health I • services; I I (f) coordinate with healthcare institutions, stakeholders and/or donor community to formulate and support healthcare interventions; (g) pursue de-centralization of the health sector within the limit of the National De- I I centralization Agenda and promote preventive, family, environmental and occupational health services; • ' (h) conduct fiscal management and enhance support systems of-the health sector; and . (i) administer this Chapter, the Public Health Law as well as perfor1n such other powers • I and functions as may be provided by law. • 3 I I a·✓ •

§39.5. Structure of the Ministry The Ministry of Health shall be organized in such manner and with such personnel as shall be determined by the Minister, subject to the approval of the President. Each Department in the Ministry shall be composed of Divisions, Sections, Units and other structures dedicated to implementing the mandate and core functions of the Ministry as established by law and/or policy. The Ministry is hereby structurally organized to include: (a) Office of the Minister; (b) Department of Policy Planning and M&E; (c) Department of Health Services; (d) Department of Administration; • •

§39.6. Appointment and Duties of the Minister of Health The Ministry shall be headed by a Minister who shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. The Minister shall further be assisted by Deputy Ministers. The respective ' assignments· and reporting procedures to be followed by Deputy Ministers shall be determined and established by ·law; where not specified in the Law, then.same shall be done by the Minister. In addition to the duties and functions of each Deputy Minister as provided ·for · herein, the Minister may determine additional assignments for said deputies. The Minister shall also be charged with duties inc.lu~ing to: (a) formulate policies and standards on prevention and control of diseases that contribute to high· disease burden and of public health significance in Libe1·ia; ' . ' • (b) forrnulate . policies, programs and set standards to facilitate and promote improvements in pub I ic health; · . . (c) oversee and participate in t~e development of national health standards, guidelines, and plans for implementation of programmatic activities and public health interventions; (d) oversee implementation of policies, procedures _and guidelines on disease prevention and control, reproductive health, child survival, emergencies/epidemics and environmental and occupational health; • (e) oversee development of services to promote improved public health; (f) oversee and direct the rapid response to epidemics and re-emerging diseases of public health importance; ' (g) oversee the development of capacity for emergency preparedness and implementation of a rapid response strategy to public emergencies; (h) oversee the preparation and implementation of the Recurrent and Development Budgets; • 4 : (i) recommend, at any time, based on result of empirical findings/facts, research issues of national and global health priorities to the National Public Health Institute of Liberia; i' I . '•,. . U) ensure the evaluation and analysis of the health status; ', ·; ensure Public health surveillance, problem investigation, and the control of risks and (k) threats to public health; and , (1) oversee the fiscal management of all resources.

§39.7. Appointment of Deputy Ministers The Minister shall be assisted by Deputy Ministers. Each Deputy Minister, under the supervision of the Minister, shall oversee a Department within the Ministry. The President, with the consent of the Senate, shall appoint a medical doctor as Chief Medical Officer (CMO)/ Deputy Minister for Health Services. The CMO shall be appointed based on the recommendation of the Liberian Medical and Dental Association which shall nominate three qualified persons to the President for co11sideration. The President sl1all also, with the consent of the Senate, appoint a Deputy Minister for Policy, Pl,tnning a11d Monitoring & Evaluation and a Deputy Minister for Administration. Each Deputy Minister shall be responsible to the Minister.

§39.8. Dt1ties of (.~l1ief Medical Officer/ Deputy Minister for Health Services .. Subject to tl1e authority and direction of the Minister, the Chief Medical Officer/ Deputy Minister for Health Services shall be responsible to: (a) formt1late program policies to facilitate and promote irr1provement in public health 'Nork in close collaboration with the Director General of National Public I-fealth Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) . ,• (~) ensure surveillance systern is established and effective to monitor priority diseases of public health importance; . (d) coordinate the development of national standards, guidelines, and plans for implementation of programmatic activities and public health interventions (e) ensure program operational plans are integrated at all levels and health sector contingency plans for emergencies are developed; (f) ensure programs and l!nits under a Division maintain high levels of coordination and communication to facilitate horizontal rather than vertical integration; (g) ensure provision of quality curative and rehabilitation of health care services through accessible and quality medical care and support services and adequate and viable pharmaceutical prodt1cts and laboratory services are accessible; promote collative and mutually beneficial coordination with complementary medicine services; 5 .- • (h) ensure the development and periodic revision of national policy, treatment guidelines and standards related to pharmaceutical supplies and services; (i) provide effective supervision over county health services; G) identify training needs and promote staff capacity development in consultation with the , Departments of Administration and Policy Planning and M&E; (k) coordinate training in collaboration with the Department of Planning and M&E based on programmatic and public health sector needs; and (1) perform duties the Minister may, from time to time, assign to the office of Deputy Minister for Health Services. '

§39.9. Duties of Deputy Minister for Policy, Planning, and M&E Subject to the authority and direction of the Minister, the Deputy Minister for Policy, Planning, and M&E shall be responsible to: (a) prepare and·coordinate the preparation of sector policies and plans, • . (b) adapt national plann.in·g guideline·s ·and issues se·c tor planning guidelines; . (c) develop . ,,. a11d coordinate thei development. of medium/long • tern1 manpower • training plans in Liberia in collaboration with the Department of Administration; (d) establish and coordinate a human resource infor1nation system; . . . • (e) develop framework for the· enhancement of health manpower training institutions in Liberia; (f) coordinate sector M&E of plan implementation; (g) prepare annual health sector perfor1r1ance report; and (h) perform duties the .Minister may, from time to time, assign to the office of Planning, Policy and Monitoring and Evaluation

§39.10. Duties of Deputy Minister for Administration Subject to the authority and direction of the Minister, the Deputy Minister for Administration shall be responsible to: a) administer the Ministry's financial management system, including budgeting, petty cash management, financial accounting and reporting, and internal and external audits, ensuring that they are consistent with the Pubiic Financial Management law and regulations; • 6 b) administer the Ministry's human resource management system, including recruiting, selecting, training, and retention, ensuring that they are consistent with civil service •I i law, policies and re~ulations; •• • . ~ I ,' • c) administer the 't\.1inistry's procurement of goods, supplies, works and consulting services, ensuring that they are consistent with the laws and regulations of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission; d) manage the Ministry's general services, such as warehousing and accessing of goods and supplies; transportation and communication; power and water systems; and security a11d maintenance, ensuring that they are consistent with policies and regulations of the General Services Agency; e) perform such other duties that are incidental to being the Deputy Minister for Administration of the Ministry; and t) perfor1n duties the Minister may, from time to time, assign to the Office of Deputy Minister for A.d1ninistratior1.

§39.11. Appointment of Assistant Ministers and Portfolio There is hereby established th~ following post to be known as Assistant Ministers wl1ich shall be appointed by the President to assist the Minister and the Deputy Mir1isters with proper ru11ning of • the :tvlinistry: a. Assistant Minister for Curative Services; b. i\ssistant I\1inister for Preventive Sen,·ices; c. 1\.ssistant Minister for Planning and Policy; d. Assistant Minister for Vital Statistics; e. Assistant tvlinister for Administration.

§39.12. Office of Financial Management The Office of Financial Management shall be headed by a Comptroller who shall report to the Deputy Minister for Administration and be responsible for the smooth running of the Ministry; and the Comptroller shall be at the level of Assistant Minister . •

SECTION 6: This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication in handbills by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING 7 • ' I 2016 2016 ') • .. FIFTH SESSION OF 1'HE:- FIFTY-TIDRD FIFTH SESSION OF THE FIFTY-TIDRD ' LEGISLATURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. ' ' LEGISLATURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA. I SENATE'S ENGROSSED BILL NO. 25 ENTITLED: HOUSE'S ENDORSEMENT TO SENATE'S ENGROSSED - ,., BILL NO. 25 ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH 2015'' 2015'' # On Motien, Bill read. On Motion, the Bill was .adopted on its . On Motion, Bill read. On Motion, the Bill was adopted on its first reading, and sent to Committee Room on .Thursday, first reading, and sent to Committee Room on Tuesday, September 8, 2016 at the hour of 12:40 G.M.T. November 15, 2016 at the hour of 13:42 G.M.T. - On Motion, Bill taken from the Committee Room for its On Motion, Bill •taken from the Committee Room for its second reading. On Motion, under the suspension of the rule, second reading. On Motion, under the suspension of the rule, the second reading of the Bill constituted its third and final the second reading of the Bill constituted its third and fmal reading and the Bill was adopted, passed into the full force of . reading and the Bill was adopted, passed into the full force of the law and ordered engrossed today, Tuesday, September 29, the law and ordered engrossed today, Friday, December 8, 2016 at 14:45 G.M.T. 2016 at 18:15 G.M.T . ... - .,, 7; ~Ll .. . IJ)__, SECREJTARY, LIB.1.:J.1.'-1..£ ' • SENATE, R.L. CHIEF CLERK, HOUSE OF REPRESEN'I:~TIVES, R.L . . • • 2016 < •• -~• . • I • • •• , ATTESTATION AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH 2015'' .. RESIDENT OF THE: SENATE • THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • • · THE CIDE CLERK, HOUSE 0 ........,PRESENTATIVES • .. .,4· - - -•-.- .. .... ..... . ·- - _.., . - - . ~. ,.., --•-·., • • ' Secretary oftlte Se11ate enate I CAPITOL BUILDING, CAPITOL Ht:r,L, MONROVIA, LIBERIA • • WEST AFRICA FIFTH SESSION OF THE FIFTY-T: H I RD LEGISLATUR~E: OF THE REPUBLIC ··- OF LIBE • - - . .,,.,,...,....n--•·· -·- - ....... . _,. _.-l • . ,· '...__ . ·' J . • . •· • ! ........... - . ' - .-----·--- . - ... ..:: .. ... ... # ' .. ..,, .- • ' . scHE,DULE OF_ SEN:ATB, ' S_gNROLLEb BILL.~Q. 22 ENTITLETD: - - -.. - . ..- -... ...... - , ~"" r - ·r~ . •·· • - ..., .... •• .., ":, ~ /Jt'; ~~ •• .. • ••~ ;. ,...:t. • ··- ·. . -·i • - ''··r. ·~ ·.............. .. . -~ ,.,1 ·:.. -_•; 1 I - ... I l / • ...... - . - _ ·i -. l • • • ,..• .. . . . .. . .. , • .-. f ' •;I""" .... .. # OF.. : LIBE, ·-· RIA FOR ,; ' ' I• ':-~. •' ·'- ·' ; .. ,'' '• . , · - . ~- ,. • ' .,,'' I,,.,, -. .. •' . - • .. . .. --- : ' • ., .... l .. . .l' I ·. -A.D.2016 ' · ,' -} , ... • , OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA • I I