(Monrovia, Liberia, March 17, 2026)—Five health professionals from the Ministry of Health’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Program and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) have completed an intensive two-week capacity-building training in medical entomology and parasitology in Ghana, March 2—15, 2026.
The training took place at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, under the University of Ghana in Accra. It was organized in collaboration with Liberia’s NTDs program and NPHRL, with support from the Reaching the Last Mile Fund through its implementing partner, Sightsavers.
The short-course training, described as the first of its kind hosted by the Noguchi Institute for Liberian participants, aimed to enhance laboratory and field competencies essential for the elimination of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in Liberia by 2030.
Participants, comprising three NTDs program staff and two NPHRL personnel, underwent a rigorous curriculum structured into three phases, blending theoretical instruction with practical field and laboratory experience.
The first phase focused on classroom-based learning, covering key areas such as biosafety protocols, vector biology, parasite life cycles, and the identification and distribution of disease-transmitting vectors, including blackflies and mosquitoes. Trainees were also introduced to advanced techniques in sample management, microscopy, and Dried Blood Spot (DBS) blood collection.
In the second phase, participants engaged in field activities in Ghana’s Oti Region, where they conducted breeding site assessments along the Wawa and Asukorkor rivers. The hands-on exercise enabled them to collect larvae, pupae, and adult vectors of blackflies, thereby gaining critical experience in entomological surveillance under real-world conditions.
The final phase emphasized laboratory practical, where trainees carried out vector identification of Simulium damnosum, performed dissection techniques, and applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnostics for species identification and pool screening.
The training has significantly enhanced the technical capacity of Liberia’s frontline public health workforce. Participants demonstrated improved competencies in biosafety practices, vector identification, and the detection of disease-causing parasites, as well as the ability to integrate field data with laboratory diagnostics.
The integration of Quality Management System (QMS) principles into both parasitology and entomology practices ensures that diagnostic results are accurate, reliable, and aligned with international standards, an essential requirement in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases.
This underscores the importance of regional collaboration in addressing public health challenges, particularly in West Africa, where cross-border transmission of vector-borne diseases remains a concern.
The newly acquired skills will directly support Liberia’s national elimination strategy for Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis, bringing the country closer to its 2030 target.
The training also reflects growing international investment in Liberia’s health sector, as partners continue to prioritize capacity building as a cornerstone for sustainable disease control and elimination efforts.