Liberia’s President George Weah has with immediate effect suspended the Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Mosoka Fallah for time indefinite due to alleged ethical, professional and administrative lapses in the discharge of his duties.
Dr. Fallah’s suspension comes following several allegations against health authorities by aggrieved individuals who were tested for Coronavirus as part of the protocols governing travels. It also followed a meeting President Weah held on Monday, August 10, 2020 with key health stakeholders and international partners supporting the country’s COVID-19 response.
Consequently, President George M. Weah has set up a special investigative committee to probe the reported breach in the health and administrative protocols which guide the issuance of Covid-19 test results by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
The committee, which has been given 72 hours to submit its findings, includes the following members: The President, Liberia Medical and Dental Council, LMDC – Chair; Minister of Justice; Madam Mawine Diggs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Country Representative, US Center for Disease Control, CDC; and the Country Representative, World Health Organization, WHO.
The committee is charged with the responsibility of finding out whether there have been systemic breaches in the reporting procedure of COVID-19 results and recommend actions to be taken in order to remedy the situation.
Dr. Fallah has been asked to cooperate with the investigative committee. Dr. Patrick Kpanyan, Deputy Director General of NHPIL will act during the course of the suspension
President Weah said while he commends health practitioners for the positive work so far in curbing the spread of COVID 19 in the country, he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the health and welfare of Liberians remain paramount.
