By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Congo Town, Liberia – In a monumental stride towards fortifying Liberia’s public health infrastructure, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) officially inducted 15 young scientists into its prestigious National Reference Laboratory (NRL) team. The induction ceremony, held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at NPHIL headquarters in Congo Town, marked a significant boost to the country’s laboratory and diagnostic capacity.
Dr. Doughbeh Christopher Nyan, NPHIL Director-General, chaired the event, which coincided with the Mpox-IMS National Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee meeting. Addressing the inductees, Dr. Nyan emphasized the importance of professionalism and dedication in their new roles, stating, “Today, we officially inducted 15 emerging scientists into the National Reference Laboratory. This represents our ongoing commitment to strengthening Liberia’s public health and its laboratory, research, and diagnostic capacities.”
The group, comprising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree holders, will undergo advanced training in vaccine research, diagnostic tests for infectious and non-communicable diseases, and global health security measures. Seven of the new recruits are women, underscoring NPHIL’s dedication to gender inclusion in science and public health.
Highlighting the impact of the new appointments, Dr. Nyan noted that the NRL team has expanded to 20 members in just four months. He also underscored the acquisition of Genetic Sequencing Technology as a pivotal advancement, significantly improving the institute’s ability to respond swiftly to outbreaks and other health emergencies.
“This increase in manpower, coupled with advanced technology, will reduce the time needed to deliver crucial test results,” Dr. Nyan remarked.
Dr. Julius Gilayeneh also lauded the new scientists for their courage in pursuing careers aimed at combating deadly diseases. “This achievement symbolizes a robust step in building a public health system that delivers improved health outcomes for Liberia and beyond,” he stated.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from Africa-CDC, US-CDC, NHI-PREVAIL, WHO, and other key stakeholders in global health.
As Liberia prepares to tackle pressing public health challenges, this strategic investment in young scientific talent reaffirms NPHIL’s vision of a healthier and more resilient nation.
