NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has connected its National Reference Laboratory to the national electricity grid for the first time in more than 35 years, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s public health and laboratory systems.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, NPHIL Director General Dr Sia Wata Camanor said the grid connection would provide a more reliable electricity supply for laboratory operations.
Dr Camanor said improved power reliability would enhance diagnostic services, support the preservation of specimens and reagents, and facilitate the effective use of modern laboratory equipment and information systems.
She added that the initiative would strengthen Liberia’s capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks more quickly, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable national public health laboratory system.
NPHIL expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Liberia Electricity Corporation for their support in implementing the project.
The institute also recognized PREVAIL for providing approximately 1,000 gallons of fuel each week to sustain laboratory operations over the past decade, while crediting the World Bank for its assistance.
Measles cases decline
NPHIL said Liberia is currently recording no cases of Mpox or Lassa fever.
However, the institute said 42 measles cases remain under surveillance, representing a significant decline from more than 200 cases reported earlier this year.
NPHIL attributed the reduction largely to ongoing vaccination efforts carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The institute expressed optimism that the number of measles cases could fall to fewer than 10 by the end of the year.
It reiterated that measles is preventable through vaccination and called for continued support for national immunization program.
Ebola preparedness
On the regional Ebola situation, NPHIL said an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains ongoing, with cases and deaths increasing across several provinces.
The institute said Uganda has successfully controlled its outbreak after recording 20 cases and two deaths.
It also reported that a doctor who travelled to France after responding to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has recovered.
Although the outbreak is currently confined to the DRC, NPHIL said the World Health Organization continues to classify the risk to Liberia as low.
The institute, however, warned that the low-risk classification should not lead to complacency.
As part of Liberia’s preparedness measures, NPHIL said its surveillance and port health officers are screening and monitoring travelers arriving from countries of concern.
Since the outbreak was declared in May, more than 1,164 travelers arriving from the affected region have been screened.
Some travelers have completed the required 21-day monitoring period, while others remain under observation.
NPHIL said Liberia has recorded no suspected Ebola cases since the regional outbreak began.
The institute commended surveillance teams and travelers for cooperating with public health measures.
National scientific conference
Meanwhile, NPHIL has announced the fifth Emmett A. Dennis National Scientific Conference, scheduled for October 14–16, 2026, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia.
Organizers said the conference is being held as part of NPHIL’s mandate to promote scientific research and strengthen Liberia’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies.
The conference was first held in 2018 and was named in honor of the late Dr Emmett A. Dennis, a renowned Liberian scientist and former university professor who participated in the inaugural edition.
The event was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming in 2022.
This year’s conference will be held under the theme: “Strengthening Health Security in Liberia Through Research and Innovation.”
Key thematic areas will include health systems and universal health coverage, disease surveillance and epidemics, emerging and tropical diseases, antimicrobial resistance and patient safety, climate and the environment, and the One Health approach.
Other areas will include health informatics and artificial intelligence, maternal, newborn and child health, non-communicable diseases and mental health, as well as health policy and financing.
Organizers said more than 70 abstracts have already been submitted, with scientists and researchers from Liberia and other countries expected to participate.
