NPHIL Shake-Up Sparks Concerns -Bility Seeks Clarity on Dismissals, Citing Public Interest

MONROVA – The recent dismissal of senior officials at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has sparked serious public concern, with lawmaker and Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) leader Musa Hassan Bility calling for transparency and accountability. The purged NPHIL team, led by the accomplished Dr. Dubeh Nyan, who has received multiple awards for his leadership, was widely regarded in government circles and the public as one of the most productive and effective public agencies under the President Boakai-led Unity Party regime. The team’s achievements have raised questions about the motivations behind their sudden dismissal. The Analyst reports.

The Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has expressed deep concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the dismissals, which he believes undermines the integrity of the institution.

In a statement released yesterday, Bility asserted that the recent dismissal of senior officials at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has raised legitimate and serious public concern,” he said.

The Executive Mansion, in an highly unexpected announcement, said Wednesday that President Boakai has relieved, for administrative reasons, the Director General and Deputy Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL)–Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan and his deputy, Dr. Adams K. Lincoln.

According to the release, “with the removal of the Director General and his deputy, the President has directed that Dr. Sia Wata Camanor serves as Interim Director General (Officer-in- Charge) of NPHIL. Dr. Camanor is to coordinate and work collaboratively with the NPHIL Board, the

Ministry of Health, other government agencies, and partners to ensure the Institute’s stability and continuity of operations until a new Director General is recruited.”

The Executive Mansion also said the actions by the President were consistent with his commitment to fostering effective leadership, accountability, and institutional efficiency across all sectors of government.

But Bility emphasized that NPHIL is a critical institution responsible for disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness, and emergency response coordination, and that the dismissals could have serious implications for the country’s health security.

Bility questioned the rationale behind the dismissals, noting that the senior officials were removed without clearly providing the reasons for their dismissal.

“To remove professionals from such a sensitive and vital institution without clearly providing the reasons for their dismissal does not serve the interest of the public,” he said. “These are not ordinary civil servants. They are health experts and the professionals who have worked diligently to build NPHIL’s credibility both nationally and internationally.”

The legislator also questioned the government’s rationale for the dismissals, particularly given the exemplary service of the affected officials.

“If the dismissals were the result of policy disagreements, administrative decisions, or allegations of impropriety, the government owes the public a clear and honest explanation,” he said.

“Silence and ambiguity in matters of public administration only breed mistrust and speculation” Bility opined adding that governance requires openness, and that accountability demands transparency.

He further stated that the lack of transparency surrounding the dismissals undermines not only the personal and professional reputations of the affected officials but also the integrity of the system they helped to build.

“When we say that these individuals were removed for ‘administrative reasons’ without elaboration, it undermines not only their personal and professional reputations but also the integrity of the very system they helped to build,” he said. “The public deserves to know the truth.”

The lawmaker called on the Executive Branch to provide a transparent and comprehensive explanation for the dismissals, stressing that the Liberian people must be informed.

As a legislator and as Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC), Bility said, “I believe strongly that leadership must be exercised with fairness, clarity, and respect for institutional integrity.”

“The National Public Health Institute of Liberia is too important to be managed in secrecy or treated as a political casualty,” he further.

Bility’s call for transparency and accountability has resonated with many Liberians who are concerned about the direction of the country’s health sector.