At Africa-CDC Regional Meeting in Abidjan, Liberia’s NPHIL Recognized as a Model Institution

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has been commended for its exceptional progress in disease surveillance, response, and research at the 2nd Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) Meeting of the Africa-CDC held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Representing Liberia at the high-level gathering is NPHIL Director-General, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, whose leadership in advancing public health initiatives has gained regional recognition.

The meeting, co-organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC), brought together key health leaders from across the continent to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s disease surveillance and emergency response systems.

Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation among National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and reinforcing legislative frameworks for autonomous public health agencies.

During a panel discussion, participants recognized and applauded NPHIL’s achievements in monitoring and responding to public health threats. Liberia’s success in developing robust surveillance mechanisms and data-driven decision-making processes was highlighted as a benchmark for other African nations seeking to strengthen their own public health institutions.

A key aspect of the discussions focused on the legal and legislative framework within which NPHIL operates.

The autonomous status of Liberia’s NPHIL was acknowledged as a best practice, enabling the institution to function independently while collaborating effectively with government agencies and international health partners.

As one of the few fully autonomous National Public Health Institutes in Africa, NPHIL is being considered a model institution that can mentor and support the establishment of similar bodies in other African nations.

This recognition positions Liberia as a leader in public health governance and reinforces its role in regional disease prevention efforts.

Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, speaking on behalf of Liberia, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment and reaffirmed NPHIL’s commitment to strengthening regional and global partnerships in public health.

He emphasized the need for sustained investment in health research, training, and cross-border collaboration to mitigate emerging health threats.

The meeting also underscored the importance of early detection systems, laboratory strengthening, and workforce capacity-building in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola, COVID-19, and Lassa fever.

Liberia’s progress in these areas was cited as a critical step toward achieving a resilient health system.

With Africa-CDC and WAHO leading efforts to enhance regional disease surveillance, Liberia’s participation in shaping policies and strategies reflects its growing influence in global public health.

The insights gained from the ReTAC Meeting will help further improve Liberia’s health security framework and bolster the continent’s ability to respond to future health crises.

At the meeting, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative action, knowledge-sharing, and strengthening health institutions across Africa.

With NPHIL standing as a regional model for excellence, Liberia is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of public health governance in Africa.