MONROVIA – The Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has vowed that under his leadership the institute will not allow public health emergencies to be commercialized or manipulated for financial or political gain.
Speaking at the opening of the 4th edition of the Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Dr. Nyan underscored that transparency and scientific integrity will define NPHIL’s work in tackling health threats. The three-day event, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, is convened under the theme, “Strengthening National Capacities for Preparedness and Response to Diseases and Public Health Threats.”
“Our institution will not give test results that do not exist. Transparency will be the hallmark of our work,” Dr. Nyan declared. “Public health should never be compromised for financial gain. We will not politicize the NPHIL, because this is a scientific institution. I do not want what happened to my predecessors to befall the NPHIL.”
The Liberian infectious disease scientist, who has long championed evidence-based public health practices, emphasized that the credibility of NPHIL depends on resisting political interference. “When politics interferes with science, science degrades,” he warned. “The National Public Health Institute, under my guidance, will not be used for the commercialization of outbreaks. We will not give results that are not based on evidence.”
Dr. Nyan also sought to calm public fears over recent rumors of viral hemorrhagic fevers in Liberia. He explained that extensive testing had been carried out and no cases were found. “We did not detect Marburg, we did not detect Lassa, and we did not detect any viral hemorrhagic fever,” he said. “Our results were independently verified abroad and came back negative. That is how science works.”
He reassured Liberians that NPHIL, working closely with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, will continue to uphold professionalism in monitoring and responding to emerging health threats. He further stressed that rigorous scientific processes, not political influence or commercial motives, would guide the institute’s decisions.
Dr. Nyan’s remarks signal a new era for NPHIL as the institution seeks to rebuild public trust following years of controversy surrounding its management. By drawing a clear line against monetization of public health crises, he positioned the agency as a guardian of scientific integrity in Liberia’s health sector.
The Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference, named in honor of the late Liberian scientist and educator, serves as a platform for researchers, policymakers, and health professionals to exchange knowledge on strengthening national health systems.
