By Bridgett Milton
Capitol Hill, May 22, 2026: The House of Representatives has summoned the heads of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health to appear before it next Tuesday. The session aims to discuss Liberia’s preparedness and response strategies regarding the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The House took this decision on Thursday, May 21, following a communication from Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon W. Seboe and District #8 Representative Prince A. Toles, both calling on the House to invite health authorities.
In their communication, the lawmakers requested a hearing to address Liberia’s preparedness and response strategies concerning the recent Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
The World Health Organization has declared the DRC Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, raising serious alarms across the West African subregion.
According to Rep. Seboe, the ongoing situation presents a significant risk of further spread, given Liberia’s proximity to the affected regions and its historical experiences with Ebola outbreaks—particularly the devastating crisis between 2014 and 2016 that resulted in significant loss of life and strained the healthcare system.
He stated that understanding the current status of public health infrastructure, surveillance systems, and community awareness campaigns will be vital to ensuring the safety and health of Liberian citizens.
The representatives cited Liberia’s proximity to the affected regions and the country’s past Ebola experience as critical reasons for urgent legislative attention.
They further emphasized the need to ascertain what measures NPHIL, and the Ministry of Health currently have in place to prevent a resurgence of Ebola in Liberia.
The lawmakers also stressed the importance of evaluating the status of Liberia’s public health infrastructure, surveillance systems, and ongoing community awareness campaigns nationwide.
