Acting Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and former Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has attributed the rise in life expectancy in Nigeria and other nations to advancements in medical science rather than divine intervention.
The expert, who spoke as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, also discussed WHO’s role in tackling infectious diseases and rebuilding public trust in healthcare. Responding to questions on the decision of the United States and other nations to withdraw from WHO, Dr. Ihekweazu noted that the organisation has been a key player in global public health for 75 years, serving as a community of nations collaborating to tackle shared health challenges.
“At the heart of WHO is a community of nations,” he said. “If any country decides to leave, it’s unfortunate, and we hope that decisions like the one by the United States may change. But ultimately, we respect that decision. We continue to work to support countries worldwide.”
He stressed WHO’s successes in combating diseases such as polio, as well as its ongoing support for countries facing outbreaks, such as the current Marburg virus in Tanzania and Ebola in Uganda.
Dr. Ihekweazu noted that collective action remains crucial in dealing with health crises, adding that no single nation can handle these challenges alone.
He said, “The successes of this organisation and the work we have driven speak for themselves — driving polio elimination efforts, supporting countries. Today, there is Marburg in Tanzania, there is Ebola in Uganda. All over the world, there are challenges we cannot deal with on our own. It is the collective effort that defines the work WHO does at all levels.
Vaccine Mistrust and Pandemic Preparedness
Addressing concerns about mistrust in WHO, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ihekweazu acknowledged the skepticism but maintained that scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of vaccines.
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“There is little ambiguity about the lives saved by the COVID vaccines around the world,” he stated. “Our challenge on the continent is we did not get access to these vaccines as rapidly as we should have, and this is being addressed through many efforts. There’s a big effort to improve our local manufacturing capabilities across the continent. We recognise that the speed to deployment of vaccines needs to be more equitable globally. That is why, in WHO, right now, we are in the process of working with all our member states to agree a new pandemic treaty.
He added that the new pandemic treaty will be aimed at ensuring equitable access to medical interventions during future health emergencies.
He stressed the need for continued investment in public health infrastructure to prevent future outbreaks from causing similar global disruptions.
Dr. Ihekweazu underscored the importance of dispelling conspiracy theories that undermine trust in medicine and vaccines.
He lamented the spread of misinformation, which has fueled skepticism about vaccines and public health initiatives, and called for improved communication from health professionals.
“We have to keep winning their trust so that they can trust us in their response,” he said. “It’s very important that we, as members of the medical, scientific, and public health community, learn to communicate this a lot better.”
Emphasising the role of vaccines in increasing life expectancy, he explained that previous generations in Nigeria had an average life expectancy of 30 to 40 years due to deadly diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. However, through vaccinations and medical advancements, life expectancy has now risen to between 50 and 60 years and is expected to improve further.
“The advances of modern medicine are really unambiguous, and we have to communicate to people so that this apparent mistrust, which is really driven by conspiracy theories more than anything, is minimised,” he added.
Dr. Ihekweazu acknowledged the concerns regarding the infrastructure put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear that some of these resources may have become neglected. However, he assured that Nigeria is in a better position now compared to 2020.
“At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, we did a survey. There were only 200 functional intensive care unit beds across the public sector in the entire country. A lot of work has gone into improving that, and that is not only important for the next pandemic but for so many other medical conditions,” he explained.
He likened pandemic preparedness to an insurance policy, stressing that while investments in healthcare infrastructure may not always be visible to the public, they remain crucial for emergency responses.
“It’s a bit like an insurance policy. You don’t want to think about it every day, but you want it to be there on the day you need it,” he said.
Dr. Ihekweazu commended Nigeria’s health agencies for their efforts, including NAFDAC, the National Health Insurance Agency, the NCDC, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian government in building a robust healthcare system.
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“We must take the threat seriously and devote the necessary human resources, intellectual capacity, and financial resources to continue to work very hard,” he emphasized. “On all these tracks, the World Health Organisation is standing shoulder to shoulder with all the health parastatals and the Coordinating Minister for Health, Ali Pate, to support him in his efforts in Nigeria.”
Call for Collective Action
Dr. Ihekweazu also urged all stakeholders, from government agencies to citizens, to remain committed to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. He reiterated that emerging infectious diseases will remain a threat and emphasized the need for preparedness.
“One thing is inevitable: emerging infectious diseases are a continuous threat. Nothing else has brought Nigeria to a standstill in our modern history across the country, across all states. We must take the threat seriously and continue to push so that our health status is strong enough to solve problems should they arise,” he said.
