Serious concerns have emerged within the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) following reports that a group of laboratory scientists recruited to strengthen the country’s public health response remain in employment uncertainty more than a year after their recruitment.
An internal investigative report circulated states that laboratory scientists assigned to NPHIL’s National Reference Laboratory and Diagnostic Unit have yet to be fully transitioned onto the Civil Service Agency (CSA) payroll despite completing their probationary period months ago.
The affected professionals, recruited in December 2024 and officially inducted in January 2025, were reportedly assured by management that after a three-month probation period funded by NPHIL, they would become full government employees and be placed on the national payroll.
However, as of June 2026, many remain without formal payroll status. Sources cited in the report alleged that the delays may be linked to perceptions that the scientists were recruited under the administration of former NPHIL Director-General Dr. Chris Nyah. The report claimed this has resulted in some employees being viewed unfavorably within the institution.
In addition to payroll concerns, the scientists have reportedly gone approximately four months without receiving regular monthly stipends. Staff members disclosed that recent payments fell significantly below expected amounts, with Master’s degree holders receiving LRD 19,980 and Bachelor’s degree holders receiving LRD 14,000. The report further alleged that some senior officials have referred to the affected scientists as “step-children,” a characterization employees described as insulting and demoralizing.
Despite these challenges, the laboratory scientists continue to perform critical duties related to disease surveillance, diagnostics, and public health response, including efforts connected to Liberia’s Ebola preparedness initiatives.
When contacted, some of the affected laboratory scientists confirmed the situation and disclosed that the present administration of NPHIL has already started threatening them. Some of the them pointed out, “They have already started threatening us but we don’t care. That’s the reality. The people say they will check our phones and calls.”
The report concludes that the affected professionals have continued to provide essential services despite difficult working conditions and called for urgent intervention to address payroll delays, unpaid stipends, and concerns regarding workplace treatment. Up to press time, NPHIL management had not publicly responded to the allegations outlined in the report.
But information gathered revealed that no official list of specific employees is public, but according to documents, authorities of NPHIL warned the affected scientists that, “If you were hired by Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan at the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and are facing salary delays, your issue likely stems from recent government leadership transitions.”
According to the document, the Executive Branch previously removed Dr. Nyan from his Director General post, which disrupted staff administration. While the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled in his favor in February 2026, ordering his reinstatement or compensation, ongoing transitions often result in payroll delays for recent hires.
Meanwhile, health sector observers warn that prolonged uncertainty surrounding employment status and compensation could negatively impact staff morale, increase the risk of losing skilled personnel, and place additional pressure on the country’s diagnostic capacity during a period of heightened public health vigilance. The National Reference Laboratory serves as a key component of Liberia’s disease detection and response system, particularly in monitoring Ebola and other high-risk infectious diseases.
