MONROVIA – The Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, has praised St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Congo Town for its proactive engagement in raising awareness about Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox). His commendation came after a visit to the facility on Thursday, June 19, 2025, where he observed ongoing efforts to educate patients and staff about the viral disease.
Speaking to Smart News Liberia, Dr. Nyan described the hospital’s initiative as both timely and in alignment with national public health goals.
“The Mpox awareness campaign aligns well with the Incident Management System (IMS) response strategies currently being implemented by NPHIL,” Dr. Nyan stated. “This is a commendable step that contributes meaningfully to our collective public health response.”
During his visit, Dr. Nyan also provided an update on the Mpox situation in Liberia. He disclosed that there are currently 32 active cases of Mpox nationwide and no reported deaths. He stressed the importance of taking preventive actions to limit transmission.
“Avoid physical contact, sanitize or wash your hands frequently with clean water and soap, and report any suspected case to NPHIL or health authorities,” Dr. Nyan advised.
He confirmed that the data and guidelines come directly from the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, which is leading the country’s coordinated response. Dr. Nyan emphasized that increased public awareness and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential to controlling the spread of Mpox.
The visit to St. Joseph Catholic Hospital forms part of a broader NPHIL initiative aimed at engaging health facilities and frontline workers across the country. According to Dr. Nyan, these engagements are vital for building strong partnerships and expanding public health education.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close human contact. Its symptoms include fever, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. With cases appearing across parts of West Africa, regional health authorities have heightened their surveillance and communication efforts to mitigate further outbreaks.
Dr. Nyan’s public health message is also being amplified through social media, where he is using hashtags such as #StopMpox, #PublicHealthResponse, and #NPHIL to encourage nationwide participation in the fight against the disease.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Nyan urged Liberians to remain calm but vigilant, practice good hygiene, and seek medical help if symptoms appear.
NPHIL, under his leadership, continues to enhance its disease surveillance infrastructure and is working closely with international partners to bolster Liberia’s ability to respond effectively to public health threats.
Meanwhile, the NPHIL Director General has revealed plans to organize Mpox Awareness events at the famous Liberian-owned hospital venue, “D’Calabash.” In his social media posts, Dr. Nyan emphasized that this is part of ongoing community engagement efforts for the formal and informal sectors. He and a Team of Risk Communication specialists from the NPHIL visited D’Calabash recently, and distributed Mpox posters and other Mpox educational materials.
Dr. Nyan further hinted that another awareness event would soon take place at D’Calabash as part of ongoing community engagement efforts. His message, underscored by hashtags like #StopMpox, #NPHIL, and #OutbreakResponse, is part of a broader national campaign aimed at educating the public about the Mpox virus and encouraging preventive behavior.
