President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has pledged unwavering commitment to strengthening Liberia’s health system, declaring that his administration “will not rest” until the nation is fully equipped to detect and respond to disease outbreaks swiftly and effectively.
The Liberian leader’s bold declaration was delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Charles A. Snetter, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, during the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Celebrate LAB West Africa Conference held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
“President Boakai has spoken several times to the Liberian people that he will not rest until Liberia constructs a resilient health system capable of detecting diseases at the earliest stages,” said Amb. Snetter. “This is only possible with strong collaboration between government institutions, medical laboratories, and research bodies.”
The conference, which began on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, brings together hundreds of laboratory scientists, public health experts, and policymakers from across West Africa and beyond, with participants from the United Kingdom, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, South America, and the United States.
Under the theme “Propelling our Professionals into the Future of Now,” the conference aims to explore the next frontier of laboratory science, emphasizing human capital development, tech transfer, innovation, digitalization, and regional cooperation in health security.
President Boakai, through his representative, praised the Celebrate LAB West Africa Team and its partners for a decade of driving innovation and progress in laboratory medicine, citing the vital role of diagnostics in managing public health emergencies like Ebola, COVID-19, and monkeypox.
“Liberia has had terrible experiences with the likes of the Ebola pandemic, COVID-19, and Mpox. We know, perhaps more than others, how critical laboratory science is to saving lives,” Amb. Snetter emphasized.
He commended the Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists, AfricaBio Enterprises, the Ministry of Health, and all collaborating regional and international partners for co-hosting the milestone event in Monrovia, noting that Celebrate LAB has grown into a powerful platform for knowledge sharing, research, and public-private partnerships.
“Over the last ten years, this initiative has brought together over 3,000 attendees from across the globe,” the President noted. “Celebrate LAB has fostered an ecosystem of innovation, research, and capacity-building that continues to empower young scientists and elevate standards in laboratory practice.”
President Boakai also underscored the importance of equipping West Africa’s laboratories with infrastructure, governance frameworks, and climate-smart technologies to adapt to emerging global health threats.
“As we look to the future, our priorities must include digital transformation, sustainable energy for laboratories, and robust research capacity. These are not luxuries—they are necessities if we are to ensure global health security,” his message read.
He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders both regionally and internationally to build a more resilient, science-driven healthcare system. “This conference is not just a celebration. It is a call to action,” the President emphasized.
Delivering welcome remarks, Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), acknowledged key stakeholders and partners, including representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Bio, the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), and various national diagnostic institutions.
Dr. Nyan reflected on the origins of the Celebrate Lab initiative, which emerged between 2013 and 2017 during and after the West African Ebola crisis. The outbreak, he said, underscored the critical need for robust diagnostic systems, prompting laboratory scientists across Liberia and the continent to push for greater recognition and capacity in clinical research and innovation.
“The Ebola crisis gave us the impetus to establish Africa Bio Enterprises,” said Dr. Nyan. “It was during this time that Celebrate Lab was conceived—an initiative focused on acknowledging and advancing the often-overlooked work of laboratory technologists and scientists.”
The inaugural Celebrate Lab conference was held in Monrovia in 2017, centering on strengthening diagnostic capacity in Africa. The movement gained momentum, continuing with a second conference in 2018 before being temporarily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the conference was held in Ghana and Nigeria, focusing on laboratory responses to epidemics and pandemics.
Dr. Nyan noted that the Celebrate Lab conferences have significantly contributed to shaping laboratory policies and improving diagnostic responses across West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia. “Through Africa Bio’s efforts, laboratory systems were strengthened, regulations updated, and new standards set for disease prevention, preparedness, and response.”
He further emphasized the importance of accurate diagnostics, stating, “Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of accurate treatment. The journey from collecting samples to laboratory analysis is central to effective disease management.”
Dr. Nyan praised the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and the Laboratory Association of Ghana for their advocacy in professionalizing laboratory technologists and elevating them to the title of laboratory scientists, especially at the master’s level.
“As we open this significant gathering today, we honor all laboratory personnel who stand on the frontlines of medical science. Your work is indispensable to public health,” he said.
For her part, Sister Barbara Brillant, Dean of the Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences, echoed these sentiments during her address. She recounted the evolution of laboratory training in Liberia, citing efforts to elevate the discipline from certificate and diploma levels to associate and bachelor’s degrees.
“We are one of the programs that have medical laboratory technology training, and although it started slowly, we’ve come a long way,” she said. “Laboratory professionals are an essential part of the healthcare team. It’s not just about doctors and nurses—if you don’t get the diagnosis right, everything else fails.”
Sister Brillant criticized the traditional overemphasis on physicians, calling for a more inclusive view of healthcare that acknowledges the critical role of lab technicians. “Celebrate Lab is about bringing attention to laboratory technology and its importance in the health system—through awareness and advocacy,” she added.
She also noted the unfortunate overlap with the Ministry of Health’s ongoing health summit, which affected participation by key government actors. However, she underscored the significance of capacity building in laboratory diagnostics, stressing the need for proper regulation and accreditation of emerging training programs.
“The profession needs structure and standards. Schools are multiplying, but we must ensure they meet the proper requirements. This is not just another job—it’s a profession, and it must be treated as such,” she warned.
