Monrovia – As she outlined the country’s National Strategy for Ebola outbreak preparedness and response, Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto has highlighted significant obstacles along the way such as insufficient emergency funding and limited isolation infrastructure.
By Emmnanuel Weedee-Conway, Emmanuel.wedeeconway@frontpageafricaonline.com
Appearing before the Plenary of the House of Representatives during the 5th day sitting of the second quarter of the 3rd session of the 55th Legislature on Tuesday, May 26, Minister Kpoto informed members of that august body that Liberia’s ability to respond swiftly to a potential Ebola outbreak is being challenged by serious ‘a major obstacle’ – funding shortages and limited health infrastructure, despite intensified national preparedness efforts being put in place.
Minister Kpoto’s appearance before the House Plenary was triggered by two separate communications from Representatives Prince A. Toles and Dixon W. Seboe of Districts #8 & 16 respectively of Montserrado County. In their communications, the two Montserrado lawmakers craves Plenary to invite the Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), the Minister of Health, the Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia or NPHIL, the Managing Director of James Spring Field Airport and the Commissioner of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) to address the concerns relative to the outbreak of EBOLA, reportedly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Central African Nations.
Accordingly, Minister Kpoto, who appeared along with the other named officials, clarified that though Liberia currently has no confirmed Ebola cases, but growing concerns over outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda has created the necessity for health authorities and corresponding partners to heighten surveillance and emergency readiness across the country.
She outlined a series of preventive measures already underway, including the activation of emergency operations systems for real-time monitoring and coordination, enhanced screening at airports and border entry points, and expanded surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers.
However, she maintained that Liberia’s preparedness efforts are being constrained by inadequate or absolutely lack of emergency financing thus consequently, calling for legislative support to streamline procurement processes and expand healthcare facilities to ensure national health security.
“We are conducting continuous sensitization and training of healthcare workers. We are intensifying public awareness and risk communication activities. But we have limited emergency preparedness funding; there is nothing in the budget for emergency preparedness in this direction. I mean, we do not have an emergency fund in the budget,”Dr. Kpoto told lawmakers.
She further warned that the country’s healthcare system lacks sufficient isolation facilities and essential equipment needed to manage a large-scale outbreak should one occur.
According to the minister, bureaucratic procurement procedures are also slowing the government’s ability to rapidly acquire infection prevention and control supplies, and as such, she has appealed to the Legislature to engage the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to reduce delays in bringing critical materials into the country during emergencies.
Dr. Kpoto also called for stronger coordination with airport authorities and immigration officials to reinforce border control measures and improve inter-sector collaboration.
The Health Minister craved the support of the government and development for the expansion of healthcare infrastructure nationwide, noting that many county-level facilities established during the previous Ebola crisis require reassessment and strengthening.
“Currently there is no confirmed Ebola virus disease in this country and due to the evolving situation in Congo and Uganda, this requires heightened vigilance and sustained preparedness.”
The briefing comes in the wake of health authorities across West and Central Africa being on the alert over the threat of cross-border transmission of deadly the deadly EVD. Liberia for her part, is seeking to avoid the devastating impact experienced during the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic.
Montserrado County District 16 Representative, Dixon Seboe fears over the repeat of 2014 when Ebola ravaged the entire nation leaving more than 5,000 compatriots falling prey to death as a result of the virus.
“We don’t want repeat of 2014. This is an ugly past. The incremental rate in the DRC is alarming and that’s why we are so concerned. We don’t want that here anymore. There are regular travels; we have over 3,000 students from Liberia studying in Rwanda, a nation bordering the DRC. This means that we are already in danger. We don’t want anything that will derail our progress,” Seboe told the hearing.
At the same time, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has alarmed that 16 travelers from across East Africa including Ethiopia and Uganda, who recently entered Liberia are being screened.
NPHIL Acting Director-General Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, who appeared alongside Minister Kpoto explained that the move is part of the steps aimed at strengthening surveillance and preparedness efforts against the reemergence of the EVD in the country – a disease that has had a devastating impact on the country and its neighbors.
She informed lawmakers of the Lower Chambers of the Legislature that those individuals are under active public health monitoring in line with international health regulations and Liberia’s disease prevention protocols.
Dr. Camanor clarified that the ongoing monitoring process does not indicate that any individuals have tested positive for Ebola, but instead reflects precautionary measures being undertaken by health authorities to prevent a potential outbreak in Liberia.
She disclosed that the National Public Health Institute of Liberia is working closely with neighboring countries and regional health institutions to strengthen cross-border collaboration, surveillance systems, and rapid response mechanisms aimed at containing the spread of Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers.
“Liberia remains on high alert due to recurring outbreaks of Ebola and related diseases in several African countries. This has prompted us, as health authorities to intensify screening and monitoring at major points of entry, including airports and border crossings,” the NPHIL boss stated.
The NPHIL Acting Director-General further assured lawmakers that the institution continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and international partners to ensure the country is adequately prepared to detect and respond swiftly to any emerging public health threat.
Meanwhile, the Plenary of the House of Representatives, following testimonials from the witnesses, constituted a special committee to work with the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) regarding the country’s preparedness for any possible outbreak of Ebola reportedly affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Central African nations.
The committee is chaired by the Chairperson on Health, Lofa County District 2 Representative Julie F. Wiah, and comprises representatives from the Committees on Ways, Means and Finance, Gender, and other designated resource persons including Hon. Musa Bility, Hon. Bernard Blue Benson, and Hon. Dixon Seboe.
The committee has been mandated to report its findings and recommendations to Plenary on Thursday of next week.
