Installation Follows Recent Assessment Visit
Photo courtesy: NPHIL
Press Release
NPHIL Installs Walk-Through Sanitizer At Roberts International Airport to Strengthen EVD Preparedness
As part of ongoing national preparedness efforts in response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks reported in parts of Central Africa, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has installed a walk-through sanitizer at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), the country’s main international gateway, says a press release from NPHIL.
The installation of the sanitizer is intended to strengthen surveillance, screening, and early detection measures at points of entry to prevent the importation of infectious diseases into Liberia.
The walk-through sanitizer is an automated gate designed to spray a fine mist disinfectant over individuals as they pass through.
The initiative is part of Liberia’s comprehensive preparedness strategy, implemented by NPHIL in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Port Health Services, the Liberia Airport Authority, and international partners.
The strategy focuses on enhancing disease surveillance, strengthening screening procedures at points of entry, improving case detection and reporting systems, and ensuring rapid response capacity in the event of a suspected case.
The walk-through sanitizer will complement existing screening protocols and improve passenger processing efficiency while maintaining high public health standards.
Trained Port Health personnel have been deployed to operate the equipment and ensure that all screening activities are conducted in accordance with international health regulations.
The installation follows a recent assessment visit by NPHIL’s Interim Director-General and Port Health officials to evaluate preparedness measures at the airport amid concerns about the ongoing EVD situation in the affected countries.
The visit assessed the availability of screening equipment, isolation procedures, staffing capacity, and coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders.
NPHIL continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with health screening measures at all ports of entry. The Institute has reaffirmed that Liberia remains free of Ebola Virus Disease but emphasizes that preparedness remains a top priority to protect the health and safety of all residents and travelers.
The deployment of the walk-through sanitizer demonstrates the Government of Liberia’s commitment to maintaining robust border health security and ensuring the country is adequately prepared to detect and respond to potential public health threats.
Through strengthened surveillance and screening systems, Liberia continues to build on the lessons learned from previous outbreaks and reinforce its capacity to safeguard public health.