International

Nigerian appointed acting world health organisation regional director for africa

The Founding Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, has been appointed as the Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa.

Penpushing reports that the appointment was made known in a statement by the Director-General of World Health Organisation(WHO) Tedros Ghebreyesus ON Tuesday at the ongoing 156th session of the world body executive board in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) boss said he is confident that the African region of the global organisation is in capable hands for the next four months, stressing that Ihekweazu would serve in this capacity until a new regional Director is nominated and formally appointed by the body Executive Board following the World Health Assembly.

NNPC

Penpushing reports that the appointee is, a Nigerian epidemiologist and public health physician, and takes over from Matshidiso Moeti, who served as World Health Organisation(WHO’s) Regional Director for Africa for a decade.

The Acting Regional Director, is expected to lead African regional office of the world body in tackling critical health challenges across the continent, ensuring continuity in the agency’s efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance emergency preparedness, and improve disease response mechanisms.

Penpushing further reports that his appointment signals a transition period for the World Health Organisation(WHO) Africa region as the search for a Permanent Regional Director continues, while record has it that Ihekweazu has built an extensive career in infectious disease epidemiology and public health leadership.

The appointee before joining World Health Organisation(WHO) in 2021 was the first Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC),, a role he held from 2016 to 2021.

Penpushing also reports that his tenure at the centre was marked by significant advancements in Nigeria’s infectious disease preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, where he served as a key member of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on coronavirus.

The Acting Regional Director at Word Health Organisation(WHO), has been serving as the Assistant Director-General and Deputy Executive Director of the World Health Organisation(WHO) Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme in Geneva, Switzerland.

Penpushing reports that Ihekweazu with over 25 years of experience in public health, has worked in several national public health institutions across multiple countries, including the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The record has it that he has equally participated in World Health Organisation(WHO)-led responses to major disease outbreaks worldwide, including being part of the first World Health Organisation(WHO) mission to China during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in February 2020.

Penpushing further reports that the outgoing Regional Director is a Physician and Public Health Specialist from Botswana, is the first woman to be elected as World Health Organisation(WHO) Regional Director for Africa, and in recognition of her contributions, Ghebreyesus commended her leadership, dedication, and the legacy she leaves behind.

“We all owe you an immense debt of gratitude for everything you have done, but also for who you are. You believe that the people of Africa deserve nothing but the best, and that’s what you have given for the past 10 years’, he said.

FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or   event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button