The Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has emphasized the need for African nations to build stronger health systems to tackle emerging health threats and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery.
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“This is the time for African countries to rise, take responsibility, and invest in their healthcare systems. WHO will continue to stand with our member states to ensure we are prepared for any health challenges that arise”.
Dr. Ihekweazu stated during his first official visit to Nigeria, two weeks after assuming office.
He noted that Nigeria, as WHO’s largest country programme on the continent, plays a critical role in shaping health interventions in Africa. His visit aimed to assess the impact of WHO’s support for the Nigerian government and strengthen collaboration on health reforms.
“Nigeria is our biggest country office, it’s our biggest programme on the continent, so it was appropriate for me to come to Nigeria in my second week of office to understand in much more detail the great work our team is doing here in support of the federal government”. He said.
Dr. Ihekweazu praised Nigeria’s Minister of Health for his proactive approach, describing him as “a leader who is pushing the boundaries and taking ownership and responsibility for a lot of the important health challenges and opportunities in the country.”
Addressing Africa’s Health System Challenges, the WHO Acting RD acknowledged that while Africa faces major healthcare challenges, including workforce shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints, the continent also has enormous potential.
He stressed that governments must prioritize health sector investments to integrate more healthcare workers into the system.
“We have a young, vibrant population. The challenge is how the public sector absorbs many of the healthcare workers being produced to serve our people, to serve our countries, and that’s exactly where WHO helps”. He explained.
Dr. Ihekweazu also pointed out that global economic challenges have made donor funding less reliable, making it necessary for African countries to rethink their healthcare financing strategies.
“Through every crisis, there are opportunities. Many donors are facing financial constraints, and this is an opportunity for African countries to take more responsibility for the health of their people. WHO, as a member-state organization, is best placed to support this progress”. He noted.
Discussing emerging health threats, Dr. Ihekweazu addressed the recent unknown disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and assured that WHO is actively working to prevent its spread.
“Every day, there are emerging health threats. In the DRC, like in every other country, national health institutions such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are responsible for early detection and response. WHO already has a team on the ground, and we released our initial report yesterday”.
“Our responsibility is to support countries in ensuring they have the capabilities, resources, and expertise to manage outbreaks effectively”. He stated.
He highlighted WHO’s involvement in other outbreaks, including the Sudan virus in Uganda and the Marburg outbreak in Tanzania, emphasizing that WHO remains committed to helping African countries strengthen their disease surveillance and emergency response capabilities.
Dr. Ihekweazu also cited the recent measles outbreak in the United States, stressing that it serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of global health.
“We cannot afford to think of public health in isolation. The measles outbreak in the U.S. shows that infectious diseases do not respect borders. This is why we need a strong WHO that fosters global collaboration to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats anywhere in the world”. He emphasized.
While Nigeria successfully eliminated wild poliovirus in 2020, Dr. Ihekweazu acknowledged the challenge posed by variant two polio, which remains in circulation in some northern states.
“Polio has been a challenge for us in Nigeria. We worked very hard over the years to eliminate the wild poliovirus, and we are proud of the progress we made. Today, we still have variant two polio circulating in some states in the northwest”. He said.
He commended the efforts of Nigerian health workers and government officials in tackling the outbreak and assured that WHO would continue to provide technical and logistical support.
“Our role is to mobilize ourselves again and get ahead of this. I am really proud of the efforts the Minister and the governors in the affected states are making, and I assured them of WHO’s full support.”
Dr. Ihekweazu called for stronger partnerships between African governments, international organizations, and local health institutions to build resilient health systems.
“Africa has the expertise, the people, and the potential to strengthen its health sector. This is the moment for every country to take ownership and invest in their healthcare systems. WHO remains committed to supporting African nations in achieving their health goals”. He affirmed.
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