Published: June 23, 2025
MONROVIA — The Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has commended St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Congo Town for its proactive efforts in raising awareness about Mpox, the viral disease formerly known as Monkeypox.
Dr. Nyan’s praise came during a recent visit to the hospital, where he observed ongoing educational initiatives aimed at both patients and medical staff.
Speaking to The Liberian Investigator, Dr. Nyan said the hospital’s campaign is timely and in line with Liberia’s national public health objectives.
“The Mpox awareness campaign aligns well with the Incident Management System (IMS) response strategies currently being implemented by NPHIL,” he said. “This is a commendable step that contributes meaningfully to our collective public health response.”
During the visit, Dr. Nyan also provided an update on the national Mpox situation. He disclosed that Liberia has recorded 32 active cases but has not reported any related fatalities. Emphasizing prevention, he urged the public to avoid physical contact, wash hands regularly with soap and clean water, and report any suspected cases to health authorities.
“These guidelines are based on verified data and recommendations from NPHIL,” he said. “Increased public awareness, combined with strict adherence to safety protocols, is crucial to controlling the spread of Mpox.”
St. Joseph Catholic Hospital’s efforts are part of a broader NPHIL-led initiative to engage health facilities, frontline workers, and communities across Liberia.
Dr. Nyan highlighted the importance of building strong partnerships with healthcare providers to advance the country’s public health goals. Mpox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close human contact and is characterized by symptoms including fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.
Outbreaks have been reported in parts of West Africa, prompting regional health authorities to bolster surveillance and strengthen public education campaigns.
In addition to institutional visits, Dr. Nyan is extending his public health message through social media, using hashtags such as #StopMpox, #PublicHealthResponse, and #NPHIL to reach a broader audience.
He encouraged Liberians to remain calm but vigilant, practice good hygiene, and seek medical attention if symptoms appear. He added that NPHIL has strengthened its disease surveillance systems and continues to collaborate with international partners to enhance Liberia’s readiness to respond to public health threats.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nyan announced the expansion of Mpox awareness activities to community-based venues, including the popular Liberian-owned D’Calabash entertainment resort. He and a team of NPHIL risk communication specialists recently visited the venue, where they distributed posters and educational materials on Mpox prevention.
Located in Monrovia, D’Calabash is a major social hub that attracts a large number of young people. Seeing the need to use such informal spaces for public health messaging, NPHIL said it plans to host another awareness event at the venue in the coming weeks, targeting both the formal and informal sectors of the community.
These outreach activities form part of NPHIL’s nationwide campaign to promote disease prevention and health education.
“Our message remains clear: prevention is key,” Dr. Nyan said. “Together, through awareness and action, we can stop Mpox.”
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