In a drive to help strengthen public health Partnership, the Ambassador of United States of America accredited near Monrovia, Mark Toner paid a courtesy visit at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL)
Among other things, The visit highlighted the deepening collaboration between Liberia and the United States in enhancing public health capabilities, mainly during the critical ongoing Mpox outbreak in the Country.
The US Diplomat visit to NPHIL especially at NPHIL’s Emergency Operations Center (EDC) and the new office complex under construction was characterized by insightful discussions with the Head of Liberia’s Public Health Institute including senior NPHIL management team.
During the discussions, Ambassador Toner highlighted the importance of continued U.S.-Liberia partnership in public health, emphasizing the United States’ long-standing commitment to bolstering Liberia’s ability to detect and treat infectious diseases.
At the gathering, Representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were also present and reaffirm support for Liberia’s public health infrastructure.
Following the visit, the U.S. Embassy in Liberia posted on its official Facebook page, expressing that “Liberia is an important global health security partner for the U.S. in West Africa.
The statement also demonstrates NPHIL’s significant role since its establishment in 2016, and how the U.S. government has been a proud contributor to NPHIL’s mission of preventing infectious disease outbreaks and improving the country’s health systems.
The US Ambassador visit To NPHIL was greeted with multiple of commendations from scores of Liberians especially in hailing United States for its “continued support towards Liberia’s health system.
According to the NPHIL boss, “Dr. Nyan, he will lead the charge and make immense impacts at NPHIL.
However, they emphasized the need for more financial support from the U.S. government to the key sector.
“We have infrastructure, human resources, and technology challenges”, they added.
Ambassador’s visit coincided with NPHIL’s recent announcement of the circulation of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) Clade-Ila in Liberia.
Dr. Nyan, during a press conference at NPHIL headquarters on October 13, 2024, confirmed the presence of three new cases of Mpox, bringing the total number of cases to eleven since the virus was declared a Public Health Emergency by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in August 2024.
“Knowledge of the Mpox Clade-Ila circulating in Liberia provides critical scientific insight on how the virus spreads and how we can enhance our diagnostics, vaccine strategy, and overall response to the outbreak,” Dr. Nyan said.
Despite the current outbreak, NPHIL continues to respond to multiple health challenges, including Lassa fever, measles, and rubella. As the National Incident Management System (IMS) mobilizes resources to coordinate the national response to the Mpox outbreak, Dr. Nyan urged the public to remain calm, practice good hygiene, and report any suspected cases to health authorities.
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, a renowned infectious disease expert and 2017 African Innovation Prize Social Impact Award winner, has been at the forefront of Liberia’s public health efforts.
His extensive experience in biomedical research and his expertise in developing affordable diagnostic tools for underprivileged communities have made him a key figure in the fight against infectious diseases in Liberia and other parts of the world.
The continued support from the U.S., as reaffirmed by Ambassador Toner, is expected to further strengthen NPHIL’s capacity to address Liberia’s pressing public health challenges and contribute to preventing global public health threats.
