At PSHAN’s Podcast, Ihekweazu, Others Advocate Improved Health Infrastructure

Former Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and the Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs. Vivianne Ihekweazu, have called for the need to strengthen Nigeria’s health infrastructure with the establishment of a purposeful data and diagnostic capabilities.

They made this statement at the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN’s) new episode in the second season of its ‘Leadership Series’ podcast.

Hosted by Managing Director/CEO of PSHAN, Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, the episode is an enlightening discussion with Dr. Ihekweazu and Mrs. Ihekweazu on ‘Leading Nigeria Through Infectious Diseases Outbreaks: Challenges and Triumphs’.

According to Dr. Ihekweazu, data and diagnostic capabilities are crucial to building public health agencies, and the general health system.

He noted: “The most important currency of a national health public health agency is its data and diagnostic capabilities. Without these, you have no foundation for your existence.”

As a result, he stated that he prioritised the development of the National Reference Laboratory and other critical structures during his tenure as the DG of NCDC.

Referring to these significant achievements, Dr. Ihekweazu noted, “Building these structures was essential not just for managing the pandemic but for laying the groundwork for future public health challenges.”

In addition to highlighting the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s health system, the guests spoke briefly about the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria while launching a book ‘An Impending storm’ that explains the behind-the-scenes look at the NCDC and its pivotal role during this global crisis.

They touched on their new book, ‘An Imperfect Storm’. The book offers a candid exploration of Nigeria’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the NCDC and its pivotal role during this global crisis.

According to Mrs. Ihekweazu, “Most books on infectious outbreaks focus on clinical aspects. We aimed to present the story in a way that resonates with ordinary people, incorporating personal experiences from individuals around the globe.”

The book, ‘ An Imperfect Storm,’ captures both the strategic and human elements of the public health emergency response of the NCDC, showcasing resilience and the power of public service.’

Commenting on the book’s refreshing perspective on the pandemic, Dr. Ihekweazu said: “We live in a country overwhelmed by negative narratives. But this book seeks to remind us of the remarkable strides we made during a time of great adversity.”

Speaking on his key takeaway, Dr. Chikwe noted: “For me, the key takeaway is two-fold. First, our public sector institutions must function effectively if we want to build a robust country. Second, we have the talent needed to drive this change, but we need to actively engage and support them. I have seen many qualified individuals in the public service doing little because they are not provided with the necessary resources and support. We must invest in these people if we want to see real progress.”

In her concluding words, Mrs. Ihekweazu stated: “the takeaway for me is the immense power of communication and community. Throughout the pandemic, we witnessed how crucial it is to build trust through clear communication.

“More importantly, the solidarity shown by Nigerians in their communities was remarkable. Despite the hardships, people came together, supporting each other and demonstrating the strength of our collective spirit. It was inspiring to see how people rallied together during such challenging times.”