Africa Public Health Foundation Appoints Dr. Ebere Okereke as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The African Health Foundation has appointed Nigeria Dr Ebere Okereke as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation.
Okereke is a public health physician specialising in global health security and health system strengthening. She has won awards for her work promoting women and under-represented groups in public health leadership, recognised by the British Medical Association as a role model for women in academic medicine, and by the UK Government Science and Engineering Profession as an Inspirational leader in Science and Engineering.
Ebere is Senior Technical Adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and honorary Senior Public Health Adviser to Africa CDC. Ebere is currently on a career break from Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency), where she led the UK-aid funded IHR strengthening project, a technical assistance project aimed at sustainably strengthening public health systems. The project works in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, Pakistan and Myanmar; and with Africa CDC and WHO.
Ebere is an experienced trainer, coach and mentor and was an honorary senior lecturer at the Leeds and Hull-York medical schools.
Ebere is a graduate of the University of Nigeria College of Medicine and a Fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health.
The Health Foundation in a statement by its Communication Officer Policy Health Diplomacy and Communication, G. Nekerwon Gweh GwehN@africa-union.org, noted that Dr. Okereke brings with her over 30 years experience as a global health physician in various fields notably in United Kingdom, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Trinidad & Tobago.
| The statement reads: “NAIROBI, Kenya, February 24, 2023/ — Africa Public Health Foundation (https://APHF.Africa) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ebere Okereke FFPHM FRSPH MSc (Public Health) DTM&H MBBS as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Okereke brings with her over 30 years of experience as a global health physician in various fields, notably in the United Kingdom, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Trinidad & Tobago.”She brings a depth of expertise in leadership, change management, system strengthening and organizational development, programme design and implementation team building, stakeholder engagement and management communication, training, advocacy, report writing, presentation and, generally technical expertise in public and global health.”She has co-authored e-learning resources for the UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Additionally, she was an honorary senior lecturer at the School of Medicine, Leeds University and, is an associate member of the Bradford University School of Health Studies Centre for Inclusion and Diversity and on the steering committee and faculty of the Africa CDC Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership programme.”Africa Public Health Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation committed to improving public health outcomes and promoting health equity in Africa through the provision of resources, knowledge, and support for health systems strengthening, health workforce development, and community-based health interventions. As the CEO, Dr. Okereke priorities will include strengthening Africa public Health Foundation’s role as a leader in promoting health equity in Africa, building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, and enhancing the Foundation’s capacity to respond to Emerging health challenges in the region.The statement also noted that “Dr. Okereke has been an honorary senior public health adviser to past directors Director of Africa CDC and has led several special programs, including being one of those who played a key role in the development of the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing, the steering of the development of Africa CDC’s 2022-2027 strategy and leadership capacity programs, and the ongoing transition to an autonomous African Union agency.”As a medical consultant in global public health, Dr. Okereke led the development of the £16 million Public Health England (PHE, now UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)) program, which strengthened the capacity of low- and middle-income countries to comply with the International Health Regulations. She also has extensive experience in developing capacity and training health professionals and the public about public health programs, including co-authoring e-learning resources for the UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).”Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Okereke said, “I am honored and excited to be taking on the role of CEO of Africa Public Health Foundation at this critical time. I am committed to working with our partners and stakeholders to promote health equity and improve public health outcomes in Africa.”Africa Public Health Foundation has been in operation for two years and a half under the guidance of an Interim CEO, Dr. Francisco Songane, who is part of the Governing Council. The Governing Council led by Dr. Bernard Haufiku, welcomes Dr. Okereke and look forward to working with her to achieve the Foundation’s mission of improving public health in Africa. |
