IPNEWS: A strategic meeting between the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and its supporting partners intended to strengthen collaboration by creating a regular platform for communication has ended in Monrovia with the establishment of a partners coordinating committee.
The Partnership Coordinating Committee which NPHIL chairs, will oversee the implementation of its strategic plan as well as other programs and activities that align with the NPHIL’s Act, ensure that resources are mobilized and transparently allocated based on the national priorities, coordinate efforts to address public health emergencies and challenges among others.
The committee meeting will be a platform to share progress reports on NPHIL and partners’ interventions, and best practices, coordinate efforts, and advocate for a more effective public health system.
The Partnership Coordination Committee will be chaired by the Director General of NPHIL while the activities of the committee will be coordinated by the division of Global Health and Partnership. The composition of the committee will include heads or representatives of donor agencies, key implementing partners, and relevant government agencies directly involved with public health programs and services.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Director General of NPHIL Mr. Amos Gborie emphasized the importance of the partner coordinating committee which according to him is intended to promote collaboration, coordination, transparency, and accountability. He commended the partners for embracing the initiative and assured them of NPHIL’s engagement to achieve its overall statutory mandates.
Assistant Minister for Prevention, Ministry of Health, Dr. Caullau-Jabbeh Howe who represented the Minister of Health and head of the sector, Dr Louise Kpoto commended the transitional management team of NPHIL for convening the meeting. She indicated that this was a good beginning of opening a new chapter in the MoH and NPHIL collaboration as well as working with partners in addressing the health needs of the Liberian people. She further pledged the Ministry of Health’s commitment to collaborating with NPHIL more transparently and sustainably.
The partners at the meeting applauded the NPHIL leadership for the engagement and interaction as well as the creation of a platform to foster collaboration and communication. They called for mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the achievements in the sector through their support.
Key highlights from NPHIL Programs in the areas of Laboratory, surveillance, environmental and occupational health, public health, and biomedical research were presented at the meeting.
Nearly two weeks ago, the Board of Directors of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) appointed Amos Gborie as Acting Director-General of the institution.
A press statement issued Monday, July 1, 2024 said the appointment follows the resignation of Jane Macauley as Director-General.
Mr. Gborie is a Public Health Emergency Management Fellow (PHEM) from the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), an environmental Public Health Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the health sector of Liberia.
He holds a Master of Public Health from the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Vrije University, Amsterdam the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the Board of Directors also appointed Mr. Mohammed Kiadii as Acting Deputy Director-General for Administration replacing Dr. Patrick Kpanyen whose tenure ends on July 1, 2024, while Dr. Julius S. M. Gilayeneh Sr, will continue as Acting Deputy Director General for Technical Services.
It can be recalled that former Director General Jane MaCauley sent in her resignation to President Joseph N. Boakai as head of NPHIL.
According to MaCauley, despite significant achievements under her four-year leadership, including recognition from the Africa CDC and a robust COVID-19 response, persistent challenges and a hostile working environment as reasons for her departure.
MaCauley said she has resigned due to alleged lack of operational funding, unprofessional conduct by the Board Chair, and strained relations with the Minister of Health.
In her resignation letter, MaCauley detailed several critical issues, such as the Board Chair exceeding his scope of work, creating a toxic environment, and the lack of cooperation from the Minister of Health. She revealed alleged attempts to undermine her leadership, including unfounded claims and coordination issues.
