MONROVIA, October-08-2025: The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Defense (MoD) along with the Arm Forces of Liberia (AFL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in biomedical research, scientific trainings, and public health emergency preparedness and response.
Representing the NPHIL, Director General Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan express “gratitude to the Ministry of Defense for the long-standing cooperation that has existed over the years beginning with the former Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR), spanning through the Ebola and COVID-19 Outbreaks, and now culminating in an official agreement. “
The MOU also seeks to enhance inter-agency collaboration for coordinated public health delivery, national emergency preparedness and response capabilities, expand diagnostic, laboratory support for disease surveillance, and biosecurity.
It further seeks to foster biomedical and operational research in relevant public health domains and support joint training initiative and workforce development in health security.
During the signing of the MOU, Defense Minister, Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George (RTD), lauded NPHIL for initiating such agreement and the commitment to effective collaboration for the betterment of the country.
Meanwhile, NPHIL Director General, Dr Dougbeh Chris Nyan, who is a former Research Scientist with the US Navy Medical Research Center at the Walter Reed, said, “the MOU is not just an agreement, but a significant step in enhancing public health and working collaboratively to strengthening national security against potential biothreats.”
Dr. Nyan further committed that, the “NPHIL and its National Reference Laboratory will continue to participate in biomedical research collaboration with the AFL and ensure capacity building at the newly constructed Diagnostic Laboratory at the 14-Military Hospital located in Margibi County.”
The Ministry of Defense with its Arm Forces of Liberia is an active participant in the Mpox Incidence Management System and have provided valuable strategic directions through Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kowo.
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Issued by the Communication Division of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL); For information, please contact NPHIL Division of Communication at Tel. +231.770.264.963. Document electronically signed and coded against fraud. #3.3.4.3#
