Louise Mapleh Kpoto is a Liberian physician who has served as Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia since February 2024. She is an obstetrician-gynecologist by training and has held leadership roles within the World Health Organization's Regional Committee for Africa.
Medical career Kpoto worked as a consultant obstetrician-gynecologist at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia and lectured at the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology, a Master of Medicine in obstetrics and gynecology, and a PhD in tropical medicine. In February 2025, she was inducted as a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) in the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Political career Kpoto was appointed Minister of Health and Social Welfare by President Joseph Boakai, formally assuming office at a handover ceremony on 18 February 2024, succeeding Wilhelmina Jallah.
At the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, from 26 to 30 August 2024, Kpoto was unanimously elected First Vice-Chairperson of the Regional Committee.
In April 2025, Kpoto chaired a panel that screened candidates for the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa, following the death of Regional Director-elect Dr. Faustine Ndugulile. On 18 May 2025, Kpoto presided over a special session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Geneva, Switzerland, at which Tanzanian cardiologist Prof. Mohammed Yakub Janabi was nominated as the new WHO Regional Director for Africa. Reading the committee's resolution, Kpoto formally declared the nomination under Article 52 of the WHO Constitution.
Awards and honors Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS), 2025
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