Abuja, July 5, 2017, The Liberian Chapter of the West African College of Nursing (WACN) has joined other West African counterparts for the organization 14 Biennial General Meeting.

The WACN, a specialized agency of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 began its week-long event which is being held at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja. It runs from the 1^st to the 7^th of July, 2017.

A release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja says the Liberian Chapter, comprising of over 20 professional Liberian nurses otherwise called Fellows, is led by its head, Mr. Joseph Gono and also includes Mrs. Elizabeth Sele-Mulbah, a Past President, Council Member and Presenter of WACN.

This year’s theme is “Emerging Health Emergencies: Community and Health Workforce Responsibilities in the Sub-Region”. The biennial event is also the 23^rd Scientific Session and 37^th Council Meeting of the WACN.

Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Professor Al-Hassan Conteh and other high-profile Nigeriandignitaries, including the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, attended Tuesday’s formal opening session.

Mr. Victor D. Zoclanclounon, President of WACN, in his address, said this year’s theme is adequately expressive as “we know the vulnerability of the majority of the population we are takinre care of is Nursing and Obstetrics health care.”

“To achieve this with professionalism and collaboration of the other health workers, we don’t have any other solution than to count on the know-how and the well-being of the technicians of the two Siamese professions, the nurses and the mid-wives.

Meanwhile, during the opening ceremony, several personalities were conferred honorary fellowship awards. They included the Nigerian Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Senator Radiu Musa Kwankwaso, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, and Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the Nigerian Senate President, among others.

Since its inauguration in 1981, member countries have been hosting what was first referred to as the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in rotation. The first of it after inauguration was held in Liberia. But due to obvious undue financial burden on fellows and sponsors, it was decided in 1989 during the Freetown event for it to be held biennially.

The late Mrs. Rachael Marshall, Mrs. Elizabeth Sele-Mulbah and Mrs. Dedeh F. Jones are three Liberians who have served as presidents of WACN. Also, three other Liberians have served as Secretary-Generals. They are the late Mrs. Ellen George Williams, Mrs. C. Lawuo Gwesa and Shirley Adia Wright.

Liberia has hosted the event on four different occasions. Liberia first hosted the WACN gathering in 1982. Then she went on to further host it 1987, 2001 and 2013.