MONROVIA, October 22, 2026 — The House of Representatives has summoned Liberia’s health authorities to provide a comprehensive briefing on the country’s preparedness and response measures following reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria and an ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The House voted unanimously on Thursday to summon the Minister of Health, the Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), and other relevant health officials to appear before its plenary on Tuesday, October 27.
The decision followed a communication from Montserrado County Electoral District #16 Representative Dixon Seboe, who called on the Legislature to obtain detailed information about Liberia’s readiness to prevent and respond to a potential public health emergency.
Seboe’s request comes after the Ministry of Health issued a public notice directing health facilities, border entry points, public buildings and other institutions nationwide to strengthen screening procedures and enforce infection prevention and control measures.
While acknowledging the importance of the preventive measures, Seboe argued that the regional developments require a broader assessment of the country’s preparedness, including the availability of essential medical supplies, trained personnel and emergency response resources.
“Honorable Speaker, as representatives of the Liberian people, we have a constitutional and public responsibility to ensure that the appropriate authorities are taking all necessary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens,” Seboe stated in his communication.
The lawmaker wants the Minister of Health to brief the Legislature on the government’s overall Ebola preparedness strategy, emergency response arrangements and coordination with regional and international health authorities.
He also requested that the NPHIL Director General provide updates on disease surveillance systems and laboratory testing capacity, including the country’s ability to identify and confirm suspected Ebola cases promptly.
Additionally, Seboe called for representatives of the County Health Teams to explain the level of preparedness across Liberia’s 15 counties, particularly the availability of isolation facilities and other resources needed to manage suspected cases.
The communication further seeks clarification from border and port health authorities on screening procedures at the country’s points of entry and the protocols for handling travelers who exhibit suspected symptoms or report relevant exposure histories.
Emergency Funding, Public Awareness Under Scrutiny
Beyond surveillance and screening, Seboe wants health authorities to account for public awareness campaigns, infection prevention supplies, frontline health worker training and the resources available to enforce the Ministry of Health’s preventive directives.
He also called for information on measures to protect public schools, markets, government institutions, transportation facilities and densely populated communities, particularly in Montserrado County, where population movement and congestion could complicate efforts to contain an outbreak.
The lawmaker emphasized the need for transparency regarding the availability of emergency funding, medical equipment, trained personnel and logistical support.
“The briefing should clarify whether Liberia has adequate emergency funding, medical equipment, trained personnel, and logistical support to respond promptly to any suspected Ebola case, should one arise,” the communication stated.
Seboe maintained that his request was not intended to create public panic but to ensure that the government takes proactive steps to protect the population.
“Early preparation, accurate public information, and effective coordination among relevant institutions are essential to preventing a public health emergency,” he said.
He urged the House to treat the matter with urgency and direct the relevant authorities to provide a full account of the country’s preparedness.
Following the reading and deliberation of the communication, Margibi County Electoral District #2 Representative Ivar K. Jones moved that the health officials appear before the full plenary on Tuesday.
The motion was overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers.
Government Intensifies Preventive Measures
Before the House’s decision, the Ministry of Health had ordered heightened disease surveillance and stricter infection prevention measures at health facilities, border entry points and public institutions nationwide following reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria.
In a statement issued after the reports emerged, the Ministry said the directive took immediate effect and was intended to strengthen Liberia’s preparedness against the potential spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases.
The planned briefing is expected to give lawmakers an opportunity to assess the implementation of those measures and determine whether additional interventions are necessary to protect public health.
The health authorities had not yet appeared before the House as of Thursday, with their briefing scheduled for October 27.
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