Former NPHIL Boss Says, Liberia Has Technical Expertise To Respond To Ebola If…….
May 17, 2026
Monrovia: Former Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Dr Dougbeh Chris Nyan has said Liberia possesses the technical expertise and public health capacity to respond effectively to any Ebola outbreak, provided that political interference does not undermine scientific and medical professionals.
The former NPHIL stressed that there is “No Ebola detected in Liberia,” but cautioned citizens not to lower their guard due to the possibility of cross-border transmission through international travel and regional movement of people.
The statement comes as concerns rise across Liberia following announcements by health authorities, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization regarding Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.
According to Dr. Nyan, Liberia’s painful experience during the 2014 Ebola epidemic has made public concerns understandable. “These barrage of inquiries are legitimate given Liberia’s history with Ebola in 2014,” he noted.
He however urged Liberians to continued being vigilance amid recent outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Dr. Nyan praised Liberia’s public health professionals, saying the country has developed “some of the best expertise on the continent” in outbreak response through experiences ranging from Ebola to COVID-19 and Mpox.
However, he accused the Ministry of Health of creating parallel structures that allegedly duplicate the functions of NPHIL and interfere with scientific operations.
“Preparedness and response will be effective only and only if such technical scientific capabilities are left to function devoid of political interferences and bureaucratic power-play,” he stated.
The former NPHIL boss further referenced what he described as a near “false Ebola outbreak declaration” in September 2025, alleging that efforts by the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office in Liberia could have resulted in the announcement of a viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak without laboratory evidence.
He claimed that NPHIL resisted the move based on negative laboratory test results.
“Had this occurred, everything including governance, the economy, and daily lives would have been disrupted and completely shut down just from such false alarm/declaration,” Dr. Nyan asserted.
Dr. Nyan emphasized the need for credible laboratory diagnostics, stronger border surveillance systems, and increased support for port health officers monitoring travelers entering and leaving Liberia.
He also encouraged Liberians to continue observing preventive health measures, including regular handwashing and sanitizing, reporting symptoms to health facilities, and relying on verified scientific information rather than misinformation.
Providing public health education, Dr. Nyan explained that Ebola is transmitted through contact with contaminated body fluids after the virus jumps from infected animals such as bats to humans.
He warned that early Ebola symptoms can resemble malaria, including fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, but may later progress to bleeding, organ failure, and death if untreated.
Dr. Nyan also disclosed that Ebola vaccines sent to Liberia by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance before he assumed leadership at NPHIL allegedly expired while under the control of the Ministry of Health.
“Very important: We must beware of corrupt officials using outbreaks to fill their pockets at the expense of donor funding, meager national resources, and the health of the people,” he cautioned.
He added that regional health bodies, including the West African Health Organization and the Africa CDC Western Region office, are closely monitoring developments in DR Congo and Uganda and will continue providing guidance to member states.
Dr. Nyan concluded by urging calm among Liberians. “Again to this date, you can rest assured that there is No Ebola detected in Liberia, but the country remains vigilant. Be Calm, No Panic!” he said.
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