Monrovia – The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has been designated as a Center of Excellence (CoE) under the Africa CDC Regional NPHI Capacity Strengthening Initiative. This recognition, conferred by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), underscores Liberia’s leadership in advancing public health systems on the continent.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a formal communication to Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of NPHIL, Africa CDC highlighted the institute’s technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to strengthening public health in Africa as key factors in its selection.
“As a Center of Excellence, your NPHI will serve as a regional hub for peer-to-peer technical assistance, training, and mentorship. It will also support Member States in developing or strengthening core NPHI functions, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, public health research, and workforce development,” the letter, signed by Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya, stated.
Strengthening Public Health Across Africa
This selection aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the New Public Health Order for Africa, both of which prioritize health security, surveillance, and disease prevention. Africa CDC is working to establish a network of strong National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), which serve as the backbone for health security across the continent.
Through this initiative, Liberia’s NPHIL is expected to provide technical assistance, training, and mentorship to other NPHIs in the region, support disease surveillance and outbreak response across Africa, facilitate knowledge-sharing and best practices among public health institutions and collaborate with Africa CDC on capacity-building programs.
A Milestone for Liberia’s Public Health Sector
NPHIL’s selection as a Center of Excellence marks a significant milestone for Liberia, a country that has faced major public health challenges, including the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of Dr. Nyan, the institute has continued to play a critical role in strengthening Liberia’s disease control and response mechanisms.
Dr. Nyan welcomed the designation, reaffirming NPHIL’s commitment to advancing public health across Africa and contributing to global health security.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our public health professionals. As a Center of Excellence, we will continue leading efforts in disease surveillance, emergency response, and capacity building for the African continent,” he stated.
The initiative is part of Africa CDC’s broader strategy to establish a robust network of National Public Health Institutes, reinforcing health security under the New Public Health Order for Africa. This move aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a continent equipped with strong health institutions capable of responding effectively to public health threats.
The selection of NPHIL as a Center of Excellence marks a major milestone in Liberia’s public health journey, solidifying the country’s leadership in disease prevention and health security in Africa.
In a letter from Dr. Nyan to Africa CDC Director General H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, NPHIL has formally confirmed its acceptance of the designation and has begun working with Africa CDC and regional counterparts to accelerate public health advancements across the continent.