NATIONAL NEWS
Monrovia — The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has reported significant progress in 2025, strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, workforce development, and emergency preparedness.
Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health and international partners, NPHIL enhanced Liberia’s ability to detect, respond to, and manage public health threats, contributing to both national and global health security.
Kabina S Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
Throughout the year, NPHIL identified 278 public health events of national and international concern, successfully responding to outbreaks including Mpox, Lassa Fever, and Measles across all 15 counties.
Notably, the response to the Mpox outbreak achieved a recovery rate of approximately 94%, reducing active cases to just 81 across 14 counties. The institute managed concurrent outbreaks efficiently, minimizing socio-economic disruption.
Operational research conducted under the 7-1-7 framework highlighted NPHIL’s strong capacity for rapid event detection, reporting, and response, demonstrating the effectiveness of its public health initiatives.
The institute also strengthened its workforce through the Field Epidemiology Training Program, training 27 frontline health workers in disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.
Emergency preparedness received a boost with the establishment of 16 fully operational Emergency Operations Centers nationwide, equipped with upgraded resources provided by Africa CDC.
Laboratory systems were enhanced through the decentralization of Mpox testing to regional labs and the introduction of in-country genomic sequencing for Mpox and Lassa Fever.
Biosafety and biosecurity measures were reinforced through nationwide certification of biosafety cabinets and specialized training for laboratory personnel.
To foster research and knowledge sharing, NPHIL hosted the 4th Emmet A. Dennis National Scientific Conference and conducted operational research to inform policy and improve surveillance strategies.
Community engagement was also strengthened through targeted health promotion and risk communication programs during outbreaks.
Institutional reforms were implemented, including biometric attendance systems, strategic planning aligned with the AAID Plan, and enhanced performance monitoring.
Recognition by Africa CDC as a center of excellence highlights NPHIL’s leadership role in public health across the continent.
Overall, 2025 proved a pivotal year for NPHIL, solidifying Liberia’s capacity to respond effectively to public health threats and laying a strong foundation for continued advancements in 2026.
