New Nigeria WHO representative assumes office….culled from: healthwise.punchng.com

Dr. Walter Kazadi, new World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative assume Abuja Office on Friday 10th July 2020.

He commends Nigeria’s political commitment to COVID-19 response ever since the breakout.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, received the new country representative to Nigeria at a brief ceremony.

Kazadi in Onyeama’s office presented his letter of credence, signalling his formal assumption of duties in Nigeria.

He appreciated the warm reception in Nigeria, noting that the country’s commitment to the COVID-19 response was laudable.

He assured the minister that he would join forces with other United Nation Agencies and Partners to support the government to overcome health challenges, especially in the humanitarian sector in the country.

Kazadi is a longstanding and well respected WHO international expert, a public health epidemiologist, leader, and manager with over 30 years of progressive experience.

He is well experienced in the management of primary health care, an important attribute.

 “With primary health care as the bedrock of the National Health Policy and National Strategic Health Development Plan II in support of Universal Health Coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals,’’ the statement stated.

Also speaking, Onyeama said Nigeria was behind WHO in the critical moment of a global fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister urged the country representative to remain focused on addressing not just the pandemic but other health challenges.

Onyeama, however, acknowledged the enormous contribution of WHO over the years towards attaining the highest levels of health for Nigerians.

He specifically appreciated the role of WHO in the response to COVID-19, saying that the Presidential Task Force as well as other coordination mechanisms benefitted from WHO’s technical expertise.

“I have no doubt that you will make a positive impact on the health of all Nigerians,” he said.

The minister mentioned coordination among partners, especially in the humanitarian crisis as a challenge.

WHO and Nigeria signed the first bilateral agreement in 1962 and since then, WHO continued with a technical advisory role.

Of late, the cooperation is more structured and is based on a jointly prepared document – the Country Cooperation Strategy.

The strategy is well aligned to the national priorities and allows WHO to support the government’s efforts to improve the health status of all Nigerians.