Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO’s Acting Regional Director for Africa, visited Nigeria, reaffirming WHO’s support for health reforms and polio eradication. He emphasized Nigeria’s strategic importance in Africa’s health landscape and called for heightened vigilance and coordination against health challenges, including the resurgence of variant type 2 poliovirus. Ihekweazu also urged African governments to take greater ownership of healthcare financing amid declining donor support, highlighting WHO’s role in fostering sustainable health systems.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Acting Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organisation (WHO), pledged support for Nigeria’s healthcare reforms and polio eradication during his inaugural visit to the country. Highlighting Nigeria’s significance in the continent’s health strategies, Ihekweazu discussed the need for a coordinated response to tackle variant type 2 poliovirus currently affecting some northern regions. He praised Nigeria’s health reforms and emphasized collaboration between WHO and the federal ministry to enhance surveillance and vaccination efforts.
Ihekweazu, who succeeded Dr. Matshidiso Moeti following her 10-year leadership, comes after the sudden death of Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile, who was to become the next regional director. A Nigerian national, Ihekweazu previously served as the Director General of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control, where he played a pivotal role in developing health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He underscored the importance of his visit early in his tenure to deepen his understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s healthcare framework.
The WHO leader identified Nigeria as possessing the most extensive health programs in Africa and expressed admiration for the proactive measures the Nigerian government is undertaking in health reforms. He specifically pointed out the Minister of Health’s leadership and how WHO plays a crucial role in providing technical support aligned with national health priorities. Ihekweazu called for increased vigilance against variant poliovirus, citing the ongoing public health challenge it poses, especially in the northwest states.
Furthermore, he recognized the broader challenges facing Africa, including workforce shortages and diminished infrastructure, which necessitate urgent reforms. Emphasizing Nigeria’s progress in health financing and regulatory improvements, Ihekweazu connected the country’s initiatives to the SWAP (Sector-Wide Approach) framework that aims to bolster health service delivery. He reiterated WHO’s commitment to helping Nigeria establish a resilient health system capable of addressing future health crises.
In light of recent disease outbreaks across the continent, Ihekweazu called for strengthened surveillance mechanisms, citing WHO’s active engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its support of disease response systems in Uganda and Tanzania. He remarked on the interconnected nature of global health, referencing an outbreak of measles in Texas, USA, to illustrate the necessity for robust immunization efforts worldwide. Ihekweazu urged global collaboration to confront health threats that transcend borders.
Lastly, he addressed the decline of donor funding for health initiatives, encouraging African governments to assume greater responsibility for healthcare financing. Ihekweazu asserted that sustainable health systems must be built upon strong domestic funding mechanisms. He concluded by reiterating WHO’s dedication to supporting Nigeria in its public health endeavors as the nation tackles both immediate and long-term health challenges.
In summary, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu’s visit to Nigeria represents a renewed commitment from WHO to assist in health reforms and polio eradication efforts. His emphasis on collaboration, funding, and surveillance highlights the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. The interaction underscores WHO’s role in supporting Nigeria as it navigates pressing public health issues and strives for a resilient healthcare system.
Original Source: sciencenigeria.com
