National Public Health Institute of Liberia-NPHIL

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Liberia FETP Frontline Cohort 16 Commences

The Liberia Field Epidemiology Training Program (LFETP) Frontline Cohort 16 has commenced, marking another important step in strengthening Liberia’s capacity to detect, investigate, and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks and other public health threats.

The training started on August 31, 2026, and will continue for three months. The Frontline FETP is designed to equip frontline public health workers with practical skills in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, response, risk communication, and scientific reporting.

The training combines classroom-based learning with field assignments, allowing participants to apply epidemiological knowledge directly within their respective communities and health facilities. Seventeen (17) trainees from various government ministries and agencies are participating in the training.

The program is implemented through collaboration among the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

LFETP has been an important component of Liberia’s efforts to build a skilled public health workforce following the Ebola outbreak.

Cohort 16 is expected to further strengthen the country’s surveillance workforce by developing a cadre of “disease detectives” capable of identifying unusual health events early, conducting investigations, analyzing surveillance data, and supporting timely public health interventions.

The commencement of the new cohort demonstrates Liberia’s continued commitment to health security, epidemic preparedness, and a resilient public health system, while supporting the national goal of ensuring that trained epidemiological personnel are available at county, district, and community levels.

01/09/2026

NPHIL IDG and Technical Team addressed the Ministry of Information Press Briefing today, September 1, 2026

01/09/2026

NPHIL Interim Director-General Addresses Ministry of Information Press Briefing

Monrovia, Liberia – September 1, 2026: The Interim Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, today addressed the regular Ministry of Information press briefing in Monrovia, where she provided updates on two significant institutional developments: the upcoming 5th Edition of the Emmett A. Dennis National Scientific Conference and the ongoing process to connect the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) to Liberia’s national electricity grid after 35 years of operation with alternative power support.

Dr. Camanor was accompanied by the Deputy Director-General for Technical Services, Dr. Julius S. M. Gilayeneh, and the Director for Public Health and Biomedical Research, Mr. Bode Shobayo.

The NPHIL delegation used the media engagement to highlight the Institute’s continuing efforts to strengthen public health research, laboratory systems, disease surveillance, and national preparedness and response capacities.

During the briefing, the NPHIL leadership announced and provided details on the scheduled 5th Edition of the Emmett A. Dennis National Scientific Conference, one of Liberia’s important national platforms for promoting scientific research, knowledge exchange, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in public health.

The conference is expected to bring together researchers, scientists, academics, public health professionals, students, policymakers, development partners, and other stakeholders to share research findings, discuss emerging public health challenges, and explore practical solutions to health and development priorities facing Liberia.

The NPHIL encouraged researchers and other stakeholders to participate actively in the conference and use the platform to showcase research and innovations that can contribute to improving the health and well-being of the Liberian people.

The NPHIL team also briefed journalists on the ongoing process to connect the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) to the national electricity grid—an important milestone for Liberia's public health laboratory system.

For approximately 35 years, the laboratory has depended substantially on alternative power arrangements to sustain its operations. The transition toward connection with the national grid is therefore expected to significantly improve the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply to the facility.

The NRL plays a critical role in Liberia's public health system, particularly in the diagnosis and confirmation of priority diseases, outbreak investigations, surveillance, research, and other essential laboratory services. Reliable electricity is fundamental to maintaining laboratory operations, including the preservation of specimens and reagents, operation of specialized equipment, diagnostic testing, data systems, and other critical functions.

The NPHIL leadership acknowledged the importance of the ongoing collaboration among relevant government institutions and partners in advancing the grid connection process.

The development represents an important step toward strengthening the country's laboratory infrastructure and ensuring greater operational sustainability.

The NPHIL also recognizes the significant support provided by PREVAIL over the years in helping sustain alternative power at the National Reference Laboratory. This support has been instrumental in maintaining critical laboratory services while efforts toward a more sustainable power solution have progressed.

Dr. Camanor reiterated NPHIL's commitment to working with the Ministry of Health, other government institutions, development partners, researchers, and the media to advance public health priorities and strengthen Liberia's capacity to detect, prevent, and respond effectively to public health threats.

The NPHIL leadership thanked the Ministry of Information for providing the platform to communicate these important developments to the Liberian public and expressed appreciation to partners whose continued collaboration supports the Institute's public health mandate.

29/08/2026

NPHIL's National Reference Laboratory Is Being Connected to the National Grid After 35 Years

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) National Reference Laboratory (NRL) is being connected to the national electricity grid after approximately 35 years, marking a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen national laboratory and public health infrastructure.

Connecting the NPHIL’s NRL to the national electricity grid after 35 years is a landmark achievement for Liberia's public health system. This milestone will contribute to more reliable laboratory services, strengthen diagnostic capacity, improve the preservation of specimens and reagents, support modern laboratory equipment and information systems, and enhance Liberia's ability to detect and respond to outbreaks rapidly.

The achievement demonstrates NPHIL's continued commitment to building a resilient, modern, and sustainable national public health laboratory system capable of protecting the health and safety of the Liberian people.

This initiative is through the instrumental leadership and commitment of NPHIL Interim Director-General, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, whose administration has prioritized addressing longstanding institutional and infrastructural challenges affecting the functionality of the NRL.

Under Dr. Camanor’s leadership, NPHIL worked closely with the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to facilitate the connection of the NRL to the national grid.

This collaboration reflects the Government of Liberia’s commitment to ensuring that critical public health institutions have the infrastructure necessary to effectively deliver their national mandate.

For decades, the absence of a direct and reliable connection to the national grid posed significant operational challenges and costs for the laboratory.

The NPHIL extends its profound appreciation and commendation to The Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia (PREVAIL) for its invaluable partnership and unwavering support over the last ten (10) years. PREVAIL’s contribution played an important role in sustaining the operations of the National Reference Laboratory and supporting Liberia’s capacity to detect and respond to public health threats.

Reliable electricity is particularly important for a national reference laboratory because diagnostic equipment, cold-chain systems, specimen storage, information technology infrastructure, and other critical laboratory systems require stable power.

This historic milestone also demonstrates the importance of intra-governmental collaboration in addressing long-standing national challenges. Whilst this initiative was actualized under the leadership of Dr. Camanor, the support and collaboration of the LEC, MoH and MFDP have been indispensable in bringing this dream to reality.

“This is more than just electricity connection—it is an investment in Liberia’s national health security”, Dr. Camanor disclosed. “After 35 years, the National Reference Laboratory is finally connected to the national grid. This milestone reflects the collective commitment of NPHIL, LEC, MoH, and MFDP to strengthen Liberia’s public health infrastructure. Reliable and affordable electricity is cost-effective and contributes to stronger laboratory services, faster disease detection, improved outbreak preparedness, and ultimately a safer and healthier Liberia,” Dr. Camanor further explained.

The resolution of the longstanding power supply challenges at the National Reference Laboratory should be recognized as NPHIL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand institutional capacity, therefore ensuring that critical public health infrastructure is fully functional.

This highlights the Government of Liberia’s commitment to inclusive development.
of Information

27/08/2026

STRENGTHENING HEALTH SECURITY IN LIBERIA THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION