GHANA-Liberia has been elected to the Management Committee (MANCO) of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) in Accra, Ghana, at the conclusion of its 28th Conference.

Liberia made the historic achievement on the Continental Medical Regulatory stage, following the election of the President of the Liberia Dental Association, Dr. Deddeh Supuwood.

The election of Dr. Supuwood, who is also a statutory Council Member of the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC), marks an important milestone for Liberia and provides the country with a stronger voice within the Continental Medical Regulatory Community.

A statement from the Liberia Medical and Dental Council said Dr. Supuwood secured Liberia’s victory after securing eight of the nineteen votes cast among four candidates, representing different Africans, with Liberia’s candidate being the only female.

According to the LMDC, since the establishment of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa, this is the first time a Liberian has been elected through a democratic voting process to serve on the association’s Management Committee Members from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi and Rwanda

Dr Deddeh Supuwood will serve for two years, her tenure will provide the opportunity to contribute to discussions and advocate for Liberia’s Medical regulatory priorities, including challenges, achievements, policy development, professional compliance and strategies aimed at strengthening healthcare regulation and improving healthcare delivery across the country.

Dr Supuwood, in addition to being the President of the Liberia Medical Dental Association, is a Medical Oncologist and Healthcare leader with expertise in medical oncology, cancer advocacy and health systems strengthening.

The statement said that through her leadership in oncology, she has contributed to expanding access to chemotherapy and Multidisciplinary cancer care in Liberia.

Dr Supuwood is a Board member of the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre and the National Pharmacy Board. Following the completion of her specialist training, she returned to Liberia and established the country’s first official post-war oncology unit.

Liberia’s election is expected to further strengthen Liberia’s participation in Continental conversations on medical regulation, professional standards, patient safety, healthcare governance and health systems improvement.