Congo Town, Monrovia | July 1, 2026 – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Liberia’s national diagnostic system, the Ministry of Health (MOH), through its National Diagnostics Division, in collaboration with partners including FHI 360, Africa CDC, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Plan International, and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), has validated the country’s Integrated Sample Referral System Framework.

The validation meeting, held at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Congo Town, brought together representatives from key stakeholder institutions to review the framework and provide expert input ahead of its final adoption.

During the meeting, participants examined the final draft of the National Integrated Sample Referral System Framework, reviewed key recommendations, and validated its governance, operational, technical, and implementation components.

Once adopted, the framework is expected to strengthen coordination, improve the timely transportation of laboratory samples, and promote efficient, sustainable, and integrated laboratory services across health facilities nationwide.

The framework is designed to strengthen Liberia’s sample referral and transportation systems, improve laboratory services, enhance disease surveillance, and ensure timely access to diagnostic results.

It aligns with Liberia’s national health priorities, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), the National Laboratory Strategic Plan, the One Health approach, and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). It also emphasizes country ownership, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

The validated Integrated Sample Referral System Framework will serve as a national guide for establishing a coordinated, efficient, effective, and sustainable sample referral system that supports quality diagnostics and strengthens Liberia’s overall health system.