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ABUJA,Nigeria - The Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Africa Region, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has urged African nations to take control of their healthcare systems, invest in workforce development, and enhance health infrastructure to address emerging challenges.
During his inaugural visit to Nigeria, just two weeks after taking office, he highlighted Nigeria's pivotal role in influencing health interventions across the continent.
“This is the moment for African nations to rise, take accountability, and invest in their healthcare systems.
WHO will continue to support our member states to ensure we are prepared for any health issues that may occur,” he remarked.
Ihekweazu referred to Nigeria as WHO’s largest country program in Africa, indicating that his visit was to evaluate the effectiveness of WHO’s assistance and to strengthen collaboration on health reforms.
"Nigeria is our largest country office, so it was fitting for me to visit early in my tenure to gain a deeper understanding of the excellent work our team is doing in support of the federal government," he stated.
He acknowledged the shortage of healthcare professionals, insufficient infrastructure, and financial limitations across Africa, but emphasized the continent's vast potential.
"We have a dynamic and youthful population. The challenge lies in how the public sector integrates many of the healthcare professionals being trained to serve our population. That’s precisely where WHO provides assistance," he clarified.
Ihekweazu also noted that global economic difficulties have made donor funding less dependable, encouraging African governments to reconsider their healthcare financing strategies and take on more responsibility for their health systems.
"Numerous donors are experiencing financial difficulties, making this an opportunity for African nations to assume greater responsibility for the health of their populations. WHO, as a member-state organization, is ideally positioned to support this advancement," he observed.
He addressed the recent outbreak of an unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and assured that WHO is actively working to prevent its transmission.
