Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has entered a new chapter under the stewardship of a dynamic and respected leader—Dr. Sia Wata Camanor. Often described as a figure of integrity and excellence in the nation’s medical community, she steps into the role of Interim Director-General with an enviable record of leadership, service, and transformative impact.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, exercising the authority vested in him, appointed Dr. Camanor to lead the institute at a time when Liberia continues to strengthen its epidemic preparedness, reinforce institutional accountability, and embrace science-driven leadership. Her appointment has been widely welcomed across the public health and medical community as a move that promises renewed focus, vision, and stability for NPHIL.
Dr. Camanor is a celebrated pediatrician, public health leader, educator, and humanitarian. With more than two decades of service across Liberia, South Africa, and the West African subregion, she brings to NPHIL a combination of clinical expertise, academic excellence, and strategic management experience. Her proven record of dedication and professionalism positions her as a transformative figure capable of guiding Liberia’s public health system into a new era of resilience and innovation.
Proven Leadership and Transformational Impact
Before her current appointment, Dr. Camanor served as Chief Medical Officer of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) from 2018 to 2024, Liberia’s largest tertiary hospital and national referral center. During her tenure, she led the institution through an unprecedented period of revitalization, improving service delivery, infrastructure, and staff morale.
Under her leadership, JFKMC recorded measurable progress—a 30 percent increase in outpatient visits, a 62 percent rise in inpatient admissions, and notable reductions in mortality rates. The hospital also benefited from expanded infrastructure, improved clinical governance, and the introduction of staff development programs aimed at strengthening professionalism and capacity.
Her time at JFK was particularly distinguished by her decisive role during the COVID-19 pandemic. She coordinated effective response mechanisms, strengthened infection prevention measures, and ensured the safety of health workers and patients alike. Having also helped guide national recovery efforts following the Ebola outbreak, Dr. Camanor’s leadership is characterized by resilience, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to public service.
Regional and International Experience
Dr. Camanor’s influence extends beyond Liberia’s borders. She previously served as Chief Medical Officer of the Guinea Alumina Corporation (Emirates Global Aluminium) in Boké, Guinea, where she supervised clinical operations for more than 3,200 employees and contractors. Her role included ensuring compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental standards, further cementing her credentials as a versatile leader with global exposure.
She is also Country Representative and Instructor for Thummim Africa, where she mentors healthcare professionals across the continent in leadership, hospital management, and patient-centered ethics.
Earlier in her career, she worked at several leading hospitals in South Africa, including Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, and Tygerberg Hospital. These formative experiences deepened her expertise in pediatrics, infectious diseases, and emergency medicine—fields that continue to inform her practice and leadership philosophy today.
Academic and Research Excellence
Beyond her clinical and administrative leadership, Dr. Camanor has made substantial contributions to medical education and research. She has served as Acting Chair of Pediatrics at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, Faculty Chair of Pediatrics at the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons (LCPS), and Clinical Lecturer in Pediatrics at the University of Liberia.
As First Vice President of LCPS, she played an instrumental role in training over 155 medical specialists, bridging Liberia’s critical post-war specialist gap. Her passion for academic growth and mentorship has helped nurture a new generation of Liberian physicians committed to clinical excellence and ethical medical practice.
Her research work, published in renowned journals such as The Lancet Global Health and BMC Public Health, explores critical areas including the impact of Ebola on maternal and child health, digital contact tracing innovations, and Liberia’s COVID-19 response strategies. She has also collaborated with international institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, the World Bank, Boston Medical Center, Yale University, Mount Sinai, and Vanderbilt University—strengthening Liberia’s voice in global health research.
Humanitarian Commitment and Public Health Vision
Dr. Camanor’s contributions go well beyond hospital walls. She is deeply admired for her humanitarian work, particularly her role in facilitating life-saving heart surgeries for over 20 Liberian children abroad. During the 2014 Ebola crisis, she was at the forefront of infection-prevention training programs, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to protecting lives and promoting health equity.
Her philosophy of service—rooted in compassion, competence, and commitment—has earned her the respect of peers and communities alike. She believes that leadership in health care must be both scientific and humane, driven by the belief that every individual deserves quality care and dignity.
Education and Credentials
Dr. Camanor holds an MBBCh (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Her postgraduate qualifications include a Fellowship in Pediatrics [FC Paed (SA)] from the College of Medicine of South Africa, a Diploma in HIV Management, a Diploma in Child Health, and a Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Nutrition. She is also a Fellow by Election in Pediatrics (FWACP) from the West African College of Physicians, a Foundation Fellow of the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and holds a Certificate in Healthcare Management Masterclass from Thummim Africa.
Leading NPHIL into a New Era
As Interim Director-General, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor is poised to steer NPHIL toward a more responsive, evidence-based, and globally connected future. Her vision focuses on enhancing Liberia’s epidemic preparedness, advancing scientific research, and strengthening surveillance systems nationwide. She aims to bridge the gap between science and policy, improve coordination among public health agencies, and build strategic partnerships across Africa and beyond.
For Dr. Camanor, public health leadership is not merely about crisis management—it is about building systems that protect lives, promote trust, and ensure that all Liberians enjoy the right to health.
“Public health is not just about fighting diseases,” she says. “It’s about protecting lives, building trust, and ensuring that every Liberian can live in dignity and health.”
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