NPHIL, AfDB distributes infection prevention supplies to eight points of entry

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) over the weekend distributed infection prevention and control supplies to eight designated points of entry in Liberia.

A press release says the donation is worth over three hundred thousand United States dollars.

The eight designated points of entry that benefited were the Roberts International Airport, Jaynes Spriggs Payne Airport, Freeport of Monrovia, Buchanan Port, Bo Waterside, Ganta, Yekepa, and Loguatuo Borders.

Dr. Jeane Macauley, Director General of NPHIL, making the presentation Thursday in Congo Town, thanked the African Development Bank for the immense support to strengthen NPHIL’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

“The National Public Health Institute extends appreciation to the African Development Bank for the immense support to strengthen NPHIL’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to public health emergencies and other events of public health concerns in Liberia,” Said Dr. Macauley.

She presented the materials to NPHIL staff assigned at the eight points of entry designated for the donation.

Under the Result Based Management-Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Health Activities in Liberia Project, Dr. Macauley said the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, have highlighted the need to strengthen Liberia’s main points of entry.

She added: “The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases like Ebola viral disease and COVID-19 have highlighted the need to strengthen Liberia’s main Points of Entry (POEs) while adhering to domestic and international regulations.”

Madam Macauley reiterated that NPHIL looks forward to addressing other critical needs for port health.

“With specific reference to building and equipping our triages across all points across all points of entry we deem vital for public health surveillance,” Madam Macauley added.

Meanwhile, the NPHIL Director General has encouraged all heads of POEs to utilize the supplies more transparently so that public health can remain resilient. 

In remarks, NPHIL Deputy Director General for Administration, Dr. Patrick Kpanyan said the issue of port health strengthening is written in several conventions of the United Nations, thanking the African Development Bank for the support.

“We will like to thank the African Development Bank for this support,” said Dr. Kpanyan.

“The issue of port health strengthening is not new, they are written down in several conventions of the United Nations, so we will like to say thank you and this remains our focus.”

Dr. Kpanyan called on other organizations to follow the example of the African Development Bank.

“We want to also thank our government for the continued support to NPHIL,” he said.

The materials according to the head of the project, Bernice Sylvanus, include 850 pieces of infrared thermometer, 900 pairs of rain boots, 1,200 and 1,800 pieces of examination gloves, and 195 buckets of chlorine powder, among several others. –Press release