MONROVIA – The legal team representing Nurse Paola Bedell says it has successfully secured her temporary release from the custody of the Liberia National Police (LNP) following her recent arrest over allegations of spreading false information regarding an Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
Ms. Bedell was reportedly detained after making public comments during a media interview in which she raised concerns about suspected Ebola cases in Liberia — claims later disputed and clarified by health authorities and officials at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK).
In a brief statement issued after her release, Bedell’s legal team confirmed that police investigations remain ongoing as authorities attempt to determine the intent behind the statements that triggered public concern.
“Our legal team successfully secured the temporary release of Ms. Paola Bedell from police custody. The investigation remains ongoing as the police work to determine intent. No emotions. No politics. Only the law,” the statement said.
The Liberia National Police has not yet publicly disclosed whether formal charges will be filed or provided further details regarding the status of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Liberian health authorities continue to reassure the public that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the country, while urging citizens and healthcare professionals to communicate responsibly on sensitive public health matters.
JFK Nursing Director Clarifies Preparedness Sessions
In a related development, the Director of Nursing Services at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Mrs. Joana D. Joekai, has issued a formal clarification regarding recent educational sessions conducted for nurses at the hospital.
According to Mrs. Joekai, the sessions were purely precautionary and intended to strengthen preparedness against highly infectious diseases, including Ebola Virus Disease, and should not be interpreted as evidence of any confirmed Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
The clarification followed reports that Nurse Bedell had allegedly referenced information discussed during an in-service session at JFK while raising concerns publicly about possible Ebola cases.
However, Mrs. Joekai stressed that the sessions focused solely on infection prevention, awareness, and preparedness measures.
“In keeping with my responsibility and ethical obligation as Director of Nursing Services overseeing the ES Grant Memorial and Maternity Hospitals of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, I initiated a proactive education and awareness process for nurses aimed at strengthening preparedness and ensuring a safe working environment for both healthcare workers and patients in the event of any highly infectious disease outbreak including Ebola Virus Disease,” Mrs. Joekai explained.
She noted that the exercise was influenced by Liberia’s painful experience during the 2014 Ebola epidemic as well as recent public health alerts issued by the Ministry of Health regarding reported Ebola-related concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Based on Liberia’s past experience with Ebola and the recent alert issued by the Ministry of Health regarding the reported outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it was important to ensure that our nurses remain informed, vigilant and fully aware of the already established safety protocols and infection prevention measures,” she stated.
Preparedness, Not Confirmation
Mrs. Joekai emphasized that the educational sessions concentrated heavily on infection prevention and control procedures designed to protect healthcare workers and patients in the event of any future outbreak.
According to her, nurses were trained on patient triaging procedures, barrier protections, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), face shields, double gloves, impermeable gowns, and other standard safety protocols.
“The education focused on patient triaging procedures, specialized barrier protections such as impermeable gowns, double gloves, face shields and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which remains critical in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks,” she explained.
The JFK Nursing Director further stressed that no statement was ever made during the sessions suggesting the existence of a confirmed Ebola case in Liberia.
“It is important to clearly state that at no point during these educational engagements did I, or any member of my team, disclose or suggest that Liberia has any confirmed Ebola case,” Mrs. Joekai clarified.
She added that only the Ministry of Health has the authority to officially declare infectious disease outbreaks in Liberia.
Mrs. Joekai reaffirmed JFK’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient care, professionalism, public health preparedness, and workplace safety.
The situation has sparked significant public debate on social media over freedom of expression, responsible public communication, and public sensitivity surrounding Ebola-related information given Liberia’s painful history with the deadly virus.
Liberia was among the countries hardest hit during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed thousands and overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system.
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