Public Health Foundation 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’s key 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.
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.
Africa Public Health Fondation
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
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