MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, had the honor of hosting His Excellency Mark Christopher Toner, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The visit emphasized the deepening collaboration between Liberia and the United States in enhancing public health capabilities, especially during critical times like the ongoing Mpox outbreak.
Ambassador Toner’s visit to NPHIL’s Emergency Operations Center (EDC) and the new office complex under construction was marked by insightful discussions with Dr. Nyan and senior NPHIL management. The Ambassador 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. Representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were also present to 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 further highlighted 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.
Ambassador Toner’s visit drew widespread praise from Liberians, with social media users like Zinnah Emrys Koisee thanking the United States for its “continued support towards our health system,” while others like Ebenezer Steve Morlia expressed confidence in Dr. Nyan’s leadership, stating that “Dr. Nyan will lead the charge and make immense impacts at NPHIL.” Watson Chelley added, “Positive work Ambassador. Liberia needs more financial support from the U.S. government. We have infrastructure, human resources, and technology challenges.”
Ambassador Toner’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.
According to Dr. Nyan, Liberia has reported 17 confirmed cases of Mpox since January 2024, with 12 recoveries, no deaths, and five active cases. Genomic sequencing performed by NPHIL, in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed the presence of Monkeypox Clade-Ila, marking a critical step in understanding the virus’s epidemiology in Liberia.
“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 commitment to developing affordable diagnostic tools for underprivileged communities have made him a key figure in the fight against infectious diseases in Liberia.
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.
