NACP, Partners Strengthen HIV–Syphilis Dual Testing Capacity in River Gee County

By: Ben TC Brooks | River Gee Correspondent

River Gee County | Jan. 30, 2026 | The National AIDS and STI Control Program – NACP, in partnership with its technical partner, Evidence Action, has successfully trained and certified four members of the River Gee County Health Team as master trainers on HIV–Syphilis dual testing.

The training focuses on improving the testing of pregnant women and their partners for both HIV and syphilis, with the goal of promoting early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the two infections.

The program is expected to enhance maternal and newborn health outcomes in the county.

A graduation and certification ceremony marking the completion of the training was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the County Health Team – CHT Conference Hall in River Gee Capital Fish-Town.

During the ceremony, the newly trained master trainers were officially awarded certificates of recognition.

Those certified as master trainers in the county include; Marthaline Geleplay, County Reproductive Health Officer, John B. Wooe, County Clinical Supervisor, Philip Quebaye, County HIV Mentor and Samuel Kollie, County Nutrition Focal Person.

In addition, River Gee County Health Officer, Dr. Pauline Weah Mehdeh, received a certificate on behalf of the county in recognition of its commitment to strengthening HIV and syphilis testing services.

Speaking at the close of the training and graduation exercise, NACP master trainer Emmett Jimmy said the program is designed to build county-level capacity in HIV and syphilis testing, particularly within antenatal care services.

He noted that the initiative will contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes not only in River Gee County but across the country.

Jimmy commended the River Gee County Health Team for its full cooperation throughout the training period and encouraged health workers to remain committed to meeting the healthcare needs of ordinary citizens, especially women and children.

One of the beneficiaries of the training, Philip Quebaye, County HIV Mentor for River Gee County, expressed gratitude to the National AIDS Commission of Liberia and its partners for the initiative.

He pledged to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the training effectively to improve HIV and syphilis testing services across the county.

For her part, County Health Officer Dr. Pauline Weah Mehdeh thanked NACP and its partners for including River Gee County among the beneficiaries of the HIV–Syphilis Dual Testing program.

She pledged to closely monitor the work of the trained master trainers to ensure effective service delivery and positive health outcomes.

Dr. Mehdeh also used the occasion to call on all pregnant women, their partners, and newborns in the county to take full advantage of the HIV–Syphilis dual testing services.

She stressed that knowing one’s health status early is key to ensuring a healthy and longer life for families and the communities.