Chikwe Ihekweazu appointed acting WHO regional director for Africa
Abdullateef Fowewe
Chikwe Ihekweazu has been named as the interim Regional Director for the World Health Organisation in Africa.
Ihekweazu, the founding Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, was appointed on Tuesday at the 156th session of the WHO executive board in Geneva, Switzerland.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the announcement during the session.
In a post via his X (formally Twitter) handle, Ghebreyesus, stated that he is ‘confident that the Region is in very capable hands’ for the next four months.
Announcing the appointment, Ghebreyesus tweeted, “I have appointed Dr #Chikwe_I as acting #WHOAFRO Regional Director until the new Regional Director is nominated and appointed by the Executive Board following the World Health Assembly.
“Chikwe joined #WHO in 2021 and is currently Assistant Director General and Deputy Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme in Geneva.
“Prior to joining WHO, he was the first Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
“I am confident that the Region is in very capable hands.”
A new Regional Director for Africa will be elected in May 2025. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the former NCDC DG, succeeds Matshidiso Moeti, who has completed her term.
