“Liberia Cannot Afford Another Ebola Nightmare” — House Summons Health Authorities Over DRC Outbreak Fears

Monrovia, Liberia:The House of Representatives has summoned the heads of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia and the Ministry of Health of Liberia to appear before plenary on Tuesday following mounting concerns over Liberia’s preparedness for the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The action follows a formal communication from Montserrado County District 16 Representative Dixon W. Seboe addressed to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon.

In the communication, Representative Seboe urged the House leadership to immediately engage national health authorities on measures being taken to prevent a possible resurgence of Ebola in Liberia. “I am writing to formally request the appearance of the heads of the National Public Health Institution of Liberia and the Minister of Health before the full plenary of the House of Representatives to discuss Liberia’s preparedness and response strategies regarding the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Seboe wrote.

The lawmaker emphasized that the outbreak, which has already drawn international attention, presents serious risks to Liberia because of regional movement and the country’s past experience with the deadly virus. “As we are aware, the ongoing situation poses a significant risk of further spread given Liberia’s proximity to the affected regions, alongside our historical experiences with Ebola outbreaks,” he stated.

Seboe reminded lawmakers of the devastating impact the Ebola crisis had on Liberia between 2014 and 2016, noting that the country suffered massive loss of life and enormous pressure on its healthcare system. He warned that Liberia cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past by waiting until the situation worsens before strengthening preventive measures.

Referencing concerns raised by the World Health Organization, the Montserrado County lawmaker stressed the need for heightened vigilance surrounding the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. “The WHO’s warnings concerning the Bundibugyo virus and its potential escalation necessitate our readiness to respond effectively,” he cautioned.

He further pointed to growing concerns surrounding high population mobility and the urban nature of affected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to him, those factors significantly increase the possibility of cross-border transmission if neighboring countries fail to intensify surveillance and preparedness efforts.

“In light of the reported cases and the risk factor identified by the WHO, including high population mobility and the urban nature of the affected areas, it is critical that we ascertain the measures NPHIL and the Ministry of Health have in place to prevent resurgence of Ebola in our community,” Seboe added.

The lawmaker also stressed the importance of understanding the current state of Liberia’s healthcare preparedness, including surveillance systems, emergency response capacity, and public awareness initiatives. “Understanding the current status of our public health infrastructure, surveillance systems, and community awareness campaigns will be vital for ensuring the safety and health of our citizens,” he stated.

Representative Seboe concluded by calling for urgent legislative action on the matter, urging Speaker Koon to ensure that the hearing is held without delay. “I kindly urge that we schedule a hearing at the earliest convenience where our health authorities can provide updates and answer pertinent questions regarding Liberia’s readiness to manage potential risks arising from the outbreak in the DRC,” he noted.