The WHO’s acting regional director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, visited Nigeria to reaffirm the organization’s commitment to strengthening healthcare amidst polio resurgence and ongoing health reforms. Emphasizing collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, he discussed workforce integration, sustainability, and the need for robust health financing mechanisms. This visit underscores a collaborative effort to enhance disease preparedness and improve public health access in Nigeria.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the acting regional director for Africa at the World Health Organisation (WHO), has pledged to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system and combat disease outbreaks, particularly focusing on polio eradication. This visit to Nigeria marked Ihekweazu’s first official engagement since he took office, emphasizing Nigeria’s critical role in WHO’s strategies across Africa.
Ihekweazu was appointed by WHO’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, succeeding Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, and taking over after the untimely death of Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile. His prior role at WHO involved acting as assistant director-general overseeing health emergency intelligence and surveillance systems, and he previously led the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Highlighting Nigeria’s significance, Ihekweazu stated it has the most extensive health program on the continent, making it essential to understand better the support WHO can provide to the Federal Government. He commended Nigeria’s proactive health reform efforts and the effective leadership of the Minister of Health, expressing WHO’s readiness to align its strategies with Nigeria’s health priorities.
Ihekweazu also addressed the resurgence of the variant type 2 poliovirus in Nigeria, advocating for a coordinated response. He reflected on the successful elimination of wild poliovirus but acknowledged the need for continued vigilance against variant polio. WHO is collaborating with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and local agencies to implement vaccination campaigns and improve disease surveillance.
Addressing broader systemic health challenges in Africa, he pointed to workforce shortages and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Ihekweazu emphasized the need for sustainable reforms to bolster health delivery across the continent, underlining how African nations face multiple health challenges, including both infectious and chronic diseases.
He noted that while many trained health professionals are emerging, integrating them into public health systems remains a challenge. Ihekweazu reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to support governments in developing effective workforce retention strategies to meet public health needs in Nigeria and beyond.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing health financing and primary healthcare reform initiatives and commended the government’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) program. Ihekweazu assured that WHO will assist in establishing a resilient healthcare system that can respond effectively to current and future health challenges.
Ihekweazu highlighted the critical necessity for robust disease surveillance and rapid response mechanisms in light of recent disease outbreaks. He assured that WHO actively provides technical assistance in the Democratic Republic of Congo, referencing the importance of timely detection and response systems inherent to institutions like NCDC.
He cited the surprising resurgence of measles in the USA as a stark reminder of the need for global vaccination initiatives. Ihekweazu stressed that health threats are not limited by borders and that continuous improvement in immunization and surveillance systems is fundamental to safeguarding public health.
Lastly, he addressed the decline in global donor funding for health programs, urging African nations to enhance their healthcare financing strategies. He stated that WHO will continue to work with member states to develop sustainable health financing mechanisms, reinforcing the need for countries, including Nigeria, to take greater ownership of their health policies and funding structures.
Dr. Ihekweazu’s visit underscores WHO’s sustained partnership with Nigeria, aiming at enhancing public health responses, fostering disease preparedness, and facilitating improved healthcare access. This commitment is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s initiatives in both immediate and long-term health contexts, particularly in polio eradication and health system reforms.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu’s visit to Nigeria highlights WHO’s commitment to supporting the country’s healthcare reforms and addressing polio resurgence. His emphasis on collaboration with national health authorities signifies a proactive approach towards strengthening disease surveillance and health systems overall. By advising on workforce retention and health financing complexities, Ihekweazu reinforces the necessity of sustainable healthcare solutions in Nigeria and across Africa.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
