Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has been appointed as the new executive director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme.
Gatekeepers News reports that the announcement came as part of a broader organizational restructuring unveiled by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, aimed at improving the agency’s efficiency and enhancing its ability to respond to global health crises.
Before this, Ihekweazu served as WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems.
He is also the former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and briefly held the role of WHO’s acting Regional Director for Africa earlier this year.
As head of the Health Emergencies Programme, Ihekweazu will lead the agency’s global efforts in coordinating responses to public health emergencies.
He succeeds Dr. Mike Ryan, who played a pivotal role in steering the programme through significant global health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, praised Ihekweazu’s appointment, calling it timely and well-deserved.
He said, “Dr. Chikwe lhekweazu is an exceptional leader and a loyal team player. I am confident that his tenure will further strengthen global health security and emergency preparedness. His visionary leadership, experience, and unwavering dedication to public health will serve the world well.”
“The world is changing rapidly, and the future of global health depends on bold, trusted, and compassionate leadership. Dr. Ihekweazu embodies all of this-and more. The WHO has made an excellent choice.”
