CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – The Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, is currently representing Liberia at the “Africa Health 2024” Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference, a prominent gathering of public health experts, focuses on critical issues such as Disease Outbreak Response, Infection Control, and Emergency Preparedness.
Africa Health 2024, organized by Informa Markets, was held from October 22 to 24, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The event connects healthcare professionals who value networking, business, and learning opportunities across the continent. For over 10 years, Africa Health has aimed to bridge the gap between healthcare business, knowledge, and skills development through meaningful connections. The conference gathers leaders from across the continent and the world to shape the future of healthcare through cutting-edge medical devices, innovative solutions, high-level conferences, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Dr. Nyan’s participation is pivotal in ensuring Liberia’s active role in these discussions. The event covers a wide range of significant topics, including the need for national attention to Mental Health as a critical public health issue, equal access to healthcare as a fundamental human right, and the importance of linking African medical expertise with scientific research to inform clinical practice. Dr. Nyan is playing a key role in these discussions, emphasizing Liberia’s commitment to addressing these pressing public health challenges.
One of the primary focuses of the conference is the enhancement of disease outbreak response mechanisms. As Liberia continues to recover from past outbreaks, such as the Ebola crisis, NPHIL’s presence at the conference highlights the country’s efforts to strengthen its capacity in infection prevention and control. Dr. Nyan, known for his expertise in infectious diseases and rapid diagnostic technologies, is contributing to discussions on innovative biomedical strategies that can improve the continent’s preparedness for future outbreaks.
Dr. Nyan, a renowned medical doctor and biomedical scientist, is not only attending the conference but also sharing his extensive experience in developing simple, rapid, and affordable pathogen diagnostic tests. His work, which has won him prestigious awards such as the 2017 African Innovation Prize for Social Impact, focuses on creating solutions for poor and underserved communities. His contributions to public health research and diagnostics are widely recognized, and his involvement in the Africa Health 2024 conference brings valuable insight to discussions on healthcare challenges in Africa.
The conference also highlights the need for national governments across Africa to prioritize mental health, recognizing it as both a clinical and public health issue. Dr. Nyan has reiterated the importance of integrating mental health services into national healthcare systems, especially in post-conflict countries like Liberia, where mental health issues remain prevalent yet underserved.
As Dr. Nyan continues to represent Liberia on the international stage, his participation emphasizes the critical role NPHIL plays in shaping public health policies and ensuring that Liberia remains a key player in the global health community.
