Monrovia, 14^th March 2023: The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Liberia from March 2014 to June 2016 devastated the livelihoods of the population and the country’s economy. The epidemic led to 11,622 EVD cases with 4,686 deaths. The third wave of EVD outbreak in 2015 was attributed to sexual transmission, leading to the establishment of the Men’s Health Screening Program (MHSP), launched on 16^th July 2015 to provide male EVD survivors with semen testing for EBOV RNA by rRT-PCR and behavioral counseling on safe sex practices. This intervention was led by the Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with WHO and the United States- Center for Disease Control (US-CDC). One of the significant findings from the 2013-2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa was the delayed clearance of the virus from the semen of male survivors, the consequent risk for sexual transmission of the virus.

In Liberia, the program was implemented in 11 out of 15 counties and coordinated at three sites located in the areas most affected by the epidemic. These sites included Teleweyan hospital covering Lofa and Bong counties, Phebe hospital covering Gbarpolu, Margibi, and Nimba counties and Redemption hospital covering Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Rivercess, and Grand Bassa counties. A total of 857 clients were registered for screening, counseling, and follow-up. Over the past six (6) years, all 857 clients received counseling and testing, with each of them receiving two consecutive negative results. The final test for clients free of the virus was conducted on July 12, 2022, making Liberia the first country to conclude the follow-up of all enrolled clients. The success of this program prompted the Ministry of Health to organize an official closing program on March 15, 2023. Giving an overview of the program during the closing program, Mr Emerson J.  Rogers, Men’s Health Screening Program (MHSP) Director said the program was coordinated from three sites in three counties (Montserrado, Bong and Lofa) that were most affected by EVD epidemic in the country. A total of 857 survivors were enrolled, of which 766 had Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) discharge certificates and 91 survivors did not have ETU certificates. Results indicated that EVD survivors did shed viral particles in their semen with variations for a period ranging from 60 days to at least 6 years.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Joel Maybury, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, congratulated Liberia and its partners for sustaining the MHSP. “Liberia is the only country in the region that is on record for successfully following EVD survivors.” Mr. Maybury said. He pledged the US Government’s continued partnership to ensure a healthier Liberia through the delivery of adequate healthcare.

Speaking at this ceremony, Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Country Representative described the EVD outbreak in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone as a disease of the "marginalized.

"Today is another demonstration that Liberia has won the fight against EVD, following the successful screening and follow-up of all enrolled male EVD survivors in the country," Dr. Clement said.

" The stories being told by survivors about the EVD are shocking to hear, but what’s important is Liberia is a victor against EVD.” Dr. Clement said. 

He said  that the fight against EVD would not have been won without the involvement and commitment from various players including communities, partners and government leadership.

” Liberians are resilient people, when they say we will, they do”.  Dr. Clement said.

He pledged WHO’s commitment to support the government of Liberia in the building of a resilient health system which he said is critical.

The Head of the EVD survivors network, Mr. Vannie Kamara speaking on behalf of his colleagues called on the government and partners not to forget them even after the closure of the program. He commended his colleagues and called them heroes, “ We are happy that we are free and can no longer transmit EVD through our semen”, he said.

The Honorable Minister of Health Dr. Wilhemenah Jallah thanked the survivor’s network for their cooperation. “Let us make EVD a thing of the past but also remember its devastation and prepare for the future ahead”, she said. Minister Jallah, she then pleaded with partners to continue supporting the EVD survivors so that they are not forgotten.

“Findings from the MHSP and lessons learned will not only benefit Liberia but the world”.  Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Health Minister, said.

The MoH staff who worked on the MHSP and the last cohort of 48 EVD survivors, were gowned and certified for their support and commitment to the program.

With funding from the US-CDC, the WHO provided technical, logistical, and operational support to the MHSP, which resulted in the successful counseling and follow-up of all 857 enrolled participants (100%) on the risk of Ebola Virus transmission. Each participant was tested and received two (02) negative PCR results, with no transmission during the 6-year follow-up period. The men's health screening program was initially implemented in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Lessons learned from these countries were subsequently used to develop similar programs in the DRC, and most recently, a program has been designed for implementation in Uganda.