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Monrovia – It appears the head of the National Public Health Institute, Dr. Musoka Fallah and President George Weah’s Chief of Protocol have been left out of the revised COVID-19 National Response team.
The 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa highlighted the need for the establishment of a public health institute in Liberia, which supports national health delivery services. With the plan to revitalize health services in the country, it was essential for the Government of Liberia to establish a National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, NPHIL was mandated to strengthen existing infection prevention and control efforts, laboratories, surveillance, infectious disease control, public health capacity building, response to outbreaks, and monitoring of diseases with epidemic potential.
“By the power vested in me as COVID-19 National Response Coordinator by the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency George Manneh Weah and with the support of the Executive Committee on Coronavirus, the Following individuals and officials will lead the Incident Management System health pillars on the side of the Government of Liberia, interfacing with the health pillars on the side of the Government of Liberia, interfacing with the United Nations and the Development Partners effectively today, 10th April, 2020.”
Madam Mary Broh, National Response Coordinator for the Executive Committee on Coronavirus (ECOC) in Liberia,
Last week, President Weah tipped former Monrovia City Mayor Madam Mary Broh as the National Response Coordinator for the Executive Committee on Coronavirus (ECOC) in Liberia, making her responsible for providing supervision toward a single set of national strategic objectives for defeating the Coronavirus disease. Madam Broh was also tasked with coordinating the National COVID-19 multi-sectorial response plan, in coordination with the United Nations (UN), donor partners, Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
Also appointed last week was Madam Bundoo as the National Compliance Manager of ECOC, charged with the responsibility of monitoring the overall allocation and disbursement of the response logistics and resources.
Full Team Named
On Monday however, Madam Broh, released her full team with the noticeable omission of both Mr. Fallah and Madam Bundoo.
In a statement, Madam Broh said:
“By the power vested in me as COVID-19 National Response Coordinator by the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency George Manneh Weah and with the support of the Executive Committee on Coronavirus, the Following individuals and officials will lead the Incident Management System health pillars on the side of the Government of Liberia, interfacing with the health pillars on the side of the Government of Liberia, interfacing with the United Nations and the Development Partners effectively today, 10th April, 2020.”
Those named in charge of coordination include: Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, Chair and Dr. Francis N. Kateh(Chief Medical Officer), Co-Chair. In charge of EPI-Surveillance is Mr. Luke Bawo, National Coordinator/Health Management Information & Vital Statistics(MoH) while Mr. Sanford Wesseh, Assistant Minister/Vital Statistics(MoH), is put in charge of Contact Tracing.
Dr. Jerry Brown, Chief Executive Officer/Administration, JFK is put in charge of Case Management while Dr. Samson Azoaquoi, Consultant, Clinton Health Associates is put in charge of Infection Prevention and Control.
Mr. Fahn Taweh is placed in charge of laboratory while Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe is put in charge of Risk Communication.
Madam Broh, currently head of the General Services Agency will be in charge of Logistics and Supplies, Mr. Thomas Nagbe, Assistant Director of NPHIL is put in charge of Case Investigation.
Mrs. Williametta Piso-Saydee Tarr, Minister of Gender and Protective Services will be responsible for Psychological while Mr. Robert W. Budy, Commissioner General Liberia Immigration Services is in charge of Ports of Entry and Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf is in charge of Dead Body Management and Bobby Whitfield, Commissioner of the Liberia Water and Sanitation(WASH).
NPHIL Boss Fallah Not on the List
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With only one slot allotted to NPHIL, given to its assistant director in charge investigation, it appears the agency tasked with aiding the Ministry of Health combat pandemic have been left in the cold.
Under the Act creating the NPHIL, the institute is responsible to coordinate, develop and maintain surveillance systems to collect, analyze and interpret health data to guide health interventions. It is also responsible for providing field Epidemiology Training and advance Epidemiology Training Program(AETP) and other public health related training to health professionals, government and regulatory bodies.
Additionally, the NPHIL, is also tasked with using surveillance data to advise the ministry on settling health policies, priorities and planning; coordinating reference laboratory and public health laboratory referral services; provide guidance and direction to counties and local authorities on disease and injury surveillance and outbreak response; interact with other public health institutions and regional public health efforts with regard to the epidemiological surveillance and management of diseases and injuries, including strengthening cross border and regional public health efforts.
The body is also tasked with assisting the ministry in strengthening the capacity of the health workforce in health surveillance to reduce the burden on disease and injury; strengthen epidemiology and surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases; provide guidance on the prevention of disease and workplace illnesses and injuries.
It is responsible also for collaborating with the ministry and other relevant sectoral agencies to promote environmental responsibility; advise the minister on strategies to improve the health of the population; support the health response and provide recommendations to the ministry and other sector agencies on control measures for disease outbreaks and mitigating health risks and hazards, collaborate with relevant government departments and government agencies to implement communication strategies on public health issues and outbreak response; assist the ministry to provide technical support for all spheres of government and other regulatory bodies on disease surveillance, prevention and control.
Donors’ Strings Attached?
While it is unclear whether the NPHIL will have any role in the team announced by Madam Broh, FrontPageAfrica has learned that in recent days some donors and stakeholders aiding Liberia’s quest to beat the pandemic expressed concerns over NPHIL’s role amid plans by the Monrovia City Corporation to train some 6,000 contact tracers.
The donors have reportedly laid down conditions before releasing the funds.
Last week, the World Bank committed US$15 million to help Liberia to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah, said the Bank has currently made available US$1.5 million to help the government to start the fight against the coronavirus while they are working on making available in total US$6 million that is expected to be in the country within six days.
According to Minister Tweah, US$7.5 million will come through the World Bank for the emergency response commitment. “Therefore, you can say the World Bank is bringing in $15 million for the fight against the virus.”
He said US$6 million will come from the World Bank based on what he referred to as ‘contingency’ in the coming days.
The Minister also disclosed that the International monetary fund has made available US$50 billion globally for countries, and therefore the government is making every effort by speaking to relevant authorities to make a request because the virus will have a trickle-down effect on the economy.
Information Minister Nagbe did not return inquiries Monday seeking clarity on the omission of Fallah and Bundoo from the team.
According to the NPHIL, the Director General can only be removed if: Found to be grossly inefficient, found to be corrupt, convicted of any crime by a competent tribunal consistent with due process of law; indicted by the government of Liberia or any other country for a crime; or no longer able to perform the duties due to physical or mental incapacity, as certified by a qualified psychiatrist or medical doctor or engages in acts that are undesirable to public interest and undermine principles of good governance.
Bundoo’s appointment last week was greeted with massive outcry with many pointing to her closeness to the President’s office as a cause for alarm. One source however told FPA Monday that Bundoo may still be used a liaison between the team and the President’s office although she did not make the final cut. Bundoo had initially been tasked with monitoring the overall allocation and disbursement of the response logistics and resources. That task appears at least on paper, to have been taken away from her under the new setup.