Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has been appointed as the acting World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. The appointment comes as Dr. Matshidiso Moeti steps down from her role, marking a transition in the leadership of WHO’s Africa office.
Ihekweazu, a renowned epidemiologist, previously served as the Assistant Director-General for WHO’s Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems. His new role as acting regional director places him at the forefront of public health coordination across African nations, particularly in areas of disease prevention, outbreak response, and health policy development.
With a strong track record in global health leadership, Ihekweazu played a key role in Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the country’s disease surveillance and emergency preparedness. His experience at NCDC, along with his work at WHO headquarters, has positioned him as a respected figure in international health governance.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Ihekweazu’s expertise, emphasizing his contributions to global health security and emergency response. As acting regional director, Ihekweazu is expected to lead WHO’s efforts in tackling pressing health challenges on the continent, including infectious disease control, vaccine distribution, and strengthening health systems.
The appointment signals a continued commitment to improving Africa’s public health infrastructure, with Ihekweazu’s leadership expected to drive key initiatives aimed at enhancing disease surveillance and response capabilities across the region.
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