MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia says it has heightened surveillance at key points of entry, especially the Roberts International Airport (RIA), as part of efforts to prevent any possible outbreak of Ebola in Liberia.

Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto said,” The measure is intended to contain any potential spread of the virus, and strengthen the country’s preparedness response”.

Dr. Kpoto noted that the Health Ministry remains on high alert and is putting all necessary mechanisms in place to safeguard the population.

She told the public that the Ministry is currently focused on what she described as “targeted preventive interventions” to avert any potential outbreak in the country.

Minister Kpoto disclosed that the government has already established a National Ebola Preparedness Team to coordinate monitoring, collaboration, and other readiness activities across the country.

The Liberian Health Minister then reassured the public not to panic, emphasizing that Liberia currently has no reported case of Ebola, and that the Government of Liberia has a well-structured system in place.

At the same time, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) says it is currently screening and monitoring sixteen foreign nationals, including three Liberians who recently arrived in the country.

The individuals are from East African countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They recently traveled to Liberia to attend the 2026 AFRICAN Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions Conference held in Monrovia.

NPHIL’s Acting Director General, Sia Watta-Camanor, said,” The measures form part of Liberia’s enhanced surveillance and preparedness efforts aimed at preventing any possible outbreak of Ebola in the country”.

She noted that NPHIL has intensified screening and monitoring procedures to ensure the safety and protection of the Liberian people.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has proposed a 4.2 million US dollar budget for Liberia’s Ebola preparedness.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpoto, said,” The amount is only intended to ensure that Liberia is fully prepared ahead of any eventuality”.

The Minister noted that the fund will be spread across eleven pillars, including risk communication, surveillance, infection Prevention Control, case management and supplies, and logistics, among others.

The Liberian Health Minister added that Liberia stands ready to produce its own fluid and hand sanitizers, in case there is a shortage of any imported essential preventive supplies.

Still at the National Legislature, former Senate Pro Tempore, Albert Chie, has warned against stigmatizing foreign nationals entering Liberia due to the Ebola outbreak.

Senator Chie said,” Stigmatizing foreign nationals is not in the interest of Liberia’s diplomatic and foreign relations”.

The Grand Kru County Senator noted that during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, other countries, including the United States and Nigeria, accepted Liberians due to the long-existing friendly ties.

He stated that prematurely closing Liberia’s borders amounts to stigmatizing others and could be reciprocated in the future.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works and Rural Development made the statement during the appearance of health authorities before the Liberian Senate’s Committee of the Whole.

By: Emmanuel Kollie/Sampson David