The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has commended its national and international partners for their sustained collaboration and support, crediting these partnerships for major advances in the country’s public health system over the past years.
In a New Year message to partner institutions, NPHIL Interim Director-General, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, conveyed appreciation on behalf of the Institute for the technical assistance, financial contributions, and strategic cooperation that have enabled NPHIL to advance its mandate and respond effectively to public health challenges.
Dr. Camanor reaffirmed NPHIL’s commitment to strengthening public health systems in Liberia and the wider region, noting that partner support has been central to progress in disease surveillance, laboratory systems, epidemic preparedness and response, public health research, environmental and occupational health, and workforce development.
She said these collective efforts have significantly improved the Institute’s capacity to deliver essential public health functions.
Highlighting key achievements during the year under review, Dr. Camanor disclosed that NPHIL recorded an 86 percent score in its midterm assessment under the national Performance Management and Compliance System.
The Institute also demonstrated strong adherence to audit recommendations issued by the General Auditing Agency, placing it among the top-performing public sector institutions in both performance and audit compliance.
She further noted that NPHIL successfully organized its annual retreat, launched a new five-year strategic plan, enhanced coordination of the national Mpox response, and implemented timely responses to Lassa fever, measles, and other priority public health events.
Special recognition was extended to the Ministry of Health (MoH), which serves as the sector lead, for its consistent leadership and policy direction.
According to Dr. Camanor, the Ministry’s efforts were instrumental in securing increased domestic financing for emergency preparedness and response, as well as in facilitating the signing of the U.S. Government Global Health Security Memorandum of Understanding-an important step toward greater national ownership of health security initiatives.
Dr. Camanor also acknowledged the role of partners in advancing critical health security priorities, including the establishment of national genomic sequencing capacity with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the creation of a modern Public Health Emergency Operations Center with Africa CDC support, and continued progress toward compliance with the International Health Regulations in collaboration with WHO.
Additional investments and technical support from organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank, U.S. CDC, AFENET, ICF, JHPIEGO, the Red Cross, Armed Forces of Liberia, National Disaster Management Agency, Riders for Health, DOLF, NWASCHE, PREVAIL, PLAN, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, FHI-360, the University of Liberia, and others were also credited with strengthening Liberia’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
NPHIL emphasized its intention to further deepen partnerships, enhance coordination, and ensure that joint investments yield sustainable and long-term public health impact.
Dr. Camanor stressed that beyond financial and technical resources, the Institute values the trust, professionalism, and shared commitment that underpin these collaborations.
On behalf of the NPHIL Board of Directors, senior management, and staff, the Institute extended gratitude to all partners and expressed optimism for continued cooperation toward building healthier, safer, and more resilient communities across Liberia.
