Monrovia, 28 January 2016 - During a high-level meeting held on 18-20 January, the Ministry of Health of Liberia moved a step forward with plans for the establishment of a national public health institute (PHI). This is one of the priority components of the Liberia plan for building a resilient health system 2015-2021.

The meeting was presided over by the Hon Minister of Health, Dr Bernice Dahn and the Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Gender and Child Protection, Hon Dr Peter S. Coleman. Other partners who attended the meeting included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIH), and the World Health Organization. A strategic plan was drafted which articulates the vision, mission, core functions of the institute and a legal framework for moving ahead with the PHI establishment agenda. 

The Public Health Institute (PHI), when established, will help Liberia increase surveillance, laboratory and outbreak response capacity and efficiency for detection and response to public health threats, while avoiding interruption of routine services. The Hon Minister of Health, Dr Bernice Dahn disclosed at the meeting her vision of an autonomous institute that will provide evidence-based information that can be used to strengthen the health-care system of Liberia. 

The plan that resulted from this January meeting was informed by study tours of Liberian health officials to Norway and Thailand to help understand the roles, functions, management and the process for establishing a public health institute.  

All stakeholders have committed to supporting the realization of this project. Hon Dr Peter S. Coleman, Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Gender and Child Protection committed the support of the legislature to the establishment of the public health institute. Dr Desmond Williams, U.S. CDC Country Director, pledged CDCs continued support to some of the foundational elements in developing the first public health institute for Liberia and Dr Anthony Fauci Director NIH emphasized the strong lasting partnership between public health response and research.  Dr Alex Gasasira, WHO Country Representative Liberia, commended the government for providing an enabling environment allowing partners to contribute in a holistic manner. 

The project for establishment of the public health institute will be officially launched by Her Excellency, the President of the Republic of Liberia in April 2016.

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For further information, please contact:

Dr Peter Clement Email: clement [at] who.int

tel: +231 886516803