During a recent Devex event held alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Chikwe Ihekweazu and his wife Vivianne, co-authors of An Imperfect Storm: A Pandemic and the Coming of Age of a Nigerian Institution, were commended as "global health’s power couple” by Devex Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar. This recognition underscores their collective impact in the public health arena, with Chikwe serving as assistant director-general at the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vivianne as managing director of Nigeria Health Watch, a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for enhanced health systems in Nigeria.
Chikwe Ihekweazu's significant influence is evident from his pivotal role in establishing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from the ground up. As its first director-general, he steered the organization's evolution into a national institution that plays a crucial role in managing public health emergencies. Under his guidance, the NCDC developed the country’s first national reference laboratory and a network of labs across Nigeria. Additionally, he oversaw the implementation of a comprehensive disease surveillance infrastructure, which was digitized to enhance response times and accuracy in detecting infectious disease outbreaks.
Securing funding for institutional development proved to be a challenge for Ihekweazu in his mission to build the NCDC. He emphasized the difficulty in obtaining resources for building the essential infrastructure, such as human resources, financing, and management systems, despite the availability of funding for specific health interventions.
Leading an organization like the NCDC in a country with Nigeria’s intricate health challenges required a multifaceted approach. Despite the demanding role, Chikwe demonstrated resilience and determination, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the limited resources in the public health sector posed unprecedented challenges.
Their book, An Imperfect Storm, captures the remarkable efforts of Nigerians who played critical roles in responding to the crisis, presenting an inspiring narrative of what is achievable in a resource-limited setting. The pandemic also prompted a realization among Nigeria’s political leaders of the need to prioritize healthcare and invest in the sector, following their reliance on seeking medical care abroad.
The aftermath of the pandemic saw significant growth in Nigeria's private health sector, with the return of many Nigerian doctors from the diaspora to establish high-end hospitals. However, Chikwe stresses that this does not fully address the broader issue of ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all Nigerians, emphasizing the continued need to build and enhance the country’s health infrastructure.
Chikwe Ihekweazu's career trajectory, from leading the NCDC to his current role at the WHO, reflects his unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes in Nigeria and globally. His ability to establish institutions, navigate health crises, and advocate for robust health systems has solidified his status as a central figure in global health, serving as an inspiration to future leaders in the field.