The Ministry of National Defense and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aimed at strengthening collaboration in research.
In his opening remarks at the signing ceremony, Lt. Col. Joseph Kowo, Assistant Chief of Staff of Health Services of the Armed Forces of Liberia, noted that the partnership between the Armed Forces of Liberia and NPHIL dates back to the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014. He emphasized that the signing ceremony is intended to reinforce the already strong relationship between the two institutions.
The Minister of National Defense, Brig. Gen. Geraldine Janet George (Rtd.), and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Maj. Gen. Davidson F. Foleh, warmly welcomed Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of NPHIL, and his delegation to the Ministry of Defense.
Maj. Gen. Foleh highlighted that the signing of the MoU places both institutions under mutual obligation and enhances the trust that has been built over the years. He also shared that the Ministry of Defense is currently constructing the National Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Laboratory, which according to him will be the largest in the country and that the MoU marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two institutions.
The Minister of Defense thanked Dr. Nyan for his work and support to the Armed Forces of Liberia, and invited him to visit next week to see the progress of the laboratory construction and also asked him to attend in the future the dedication ceremony of the project upon its completion. She noted that the facility will benefit not only the military but also the entire country and the region. She underscored that the Armed Forces of Liberia’s role extends beyond combat to include medical and research efforts.
In response, Dr. Dougbeh Nyan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome, and commended the Minister for her efforts in improving the Ministry of Defense. He reaffirmed NPHIL’s on-going collaboration with the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Ministry of Defense since the Ebola outbreak in 2014, and stated that the MoU will further enhance this partnership. Dr. Nyan also mentioned his participation in the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Laboratory, and expressed willingness to support the Ministry of Defense whenever needed.
The signing ceremony represents a significant milestone for both the Armed Forces of Liberia and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia in laboratory research. It will strengthen their partnership and promote better health services for the people of Liberia.