Against the Odds: The Audacity of My Leadership Journey in Health Security
Tochi Okwor
Head Department of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Chair Nigeria Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination Committee and Infection Prevention and Control Programme Coordinator at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
From Outbreak to Opportunity: Building Nigeria’s First IPC Training Program
The 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was a defining moment for global health security. One of the key lessons from this crisis was the critical shortage of trained Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals in West Africa, including Nigeria. The outbreak made it painfully clear that our healthcare system was unprepared to prevent and contain infectious diseases. It was not just about emergency response, it was about long term health system strengthening.
The Spark: Learning from the Ebola Response
During the Ebola outbreak, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of weak IPC systems. Healthcare workers were at the highest risk, and many lost their lives due to inadequate protection. This was a wake
up call. The realization hit hard: we were not training IPC professionals with the necessary skills to lead and sustain IPC programs at the facility, state, and national levels.
If we did not act, Nigeria’s hospitals would remain vulnerable to future outbreaks. So, alongside my mentor and role model, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola the current Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, we set out on what many thought was an impossible mission to develop Nigeria’s first structured IPC training curriculum that would create a cadre of IPC professionals.
In 2016, we secured funding from ExxonMobil through the CDC Foundation, which provided the much needed resources to push forward. But even with funding, skepticism remained. Would healthcare professionals enroll? Would institutions recognize the program? Would it truly make a difference?
A Bold Vision: Developing the Diploma in IPC (DIPC) Training Program
At the time, the scale of our ambition was daunting. Here we were two women attempting to do what had never been done before in Nigeria. This project stretched us to our limits, but we were determined: it had to be global standard or nothing.
The curriculum was designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity to drive IPC programs at the facility, state, and national levels. It was a transformative approach to health security, ensuring that Nigeria would never again face an outbreak without a dedicated workforce of IPC professionals.
Overcoming Challenges: The Road to Implementation
The program’s development was intense. It took 18 months of rigorous work, including:
Breakthrough Moments: Gaining Institutional and Leadership Support
A turning point came when Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, then CEO of NCDC, recognized the urgency and value of our vision. His support provided the national momentum we needed. Additionally, Dr. Jide Idris, then Commissioner for Health in Lagos State (now DG of NCDC), gave his endorsement further solidifying the program’s credibility and alignment with national health priorities.
Following the successful pilot, the curriculum was formally presented to the NCDC during the graduation ceremony of the pilot cohort. The launch and success of the curriculum we developed were widely celebrated, garnering significant attention across both online and mainstream media. It was featured on multiple platforms, highlighting its impact and importance in strengthening IPC capacity.
A National Milestone: The Impact of the DIPC Program
In 2018, the program was officially launched, and the first cohort of IPC trainees enrolled. The program consists of three consecutive course levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) delivered over six months, followed by a six month mentorship period. In 2022, the program was evaluated, showing remarkable success.
Lessons from the Journey: Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Reflecting on this journey, I see it as a testament to audacity, collaboration, and resilience. The Ebola outbreak could have crippled Nigeria’s health system, but we turned it into an opportunity to build lasting change. As the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade and that’s exactly what we did.
This experience reinforced a powerful lesson: outbreaks are not just crises; they are opportunities to strengthen health systems. A decade after Ebola and six years since launching the IPC curriculum, it is deeply fulfilling to see it fully integrated into the health system, producing skilled IPC professionals and bolstering health security.
Its impact was recognized in the State of Health of the Nation Report 2024 (pg. 126), which highlighted how, in collaboration with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, the program enhanced IPC knowledge and skills. It strengthened professional capacity through comprehensive training for state IPC focal persons, healthcare workers, and key stakeholders. The NCDC, in partnership with the college, implemented a tiered training program basic, intermediate, and advanced equipping 300 IPC professionals across healthcare facilities, security agencies, the private sector, and faith based organizations with critical IPC competencies.
What’s Next?
The success of the DIPC training program has inspired further expansion. The curriculum is now being translated into French, increasing its impact beyond Nigeria. More importantly, the model we created has laid the foundation for further IPC capacity building efforts across Africa.
In my next post, I will explore how we took the crisis of a massive Lassa fever outbreak to further mainstream IPC in Nigeria’s health sector from policy integration to institutionalizing national and state IPC programs. Stay tuned.
Have you ever faced a challenge that turned into an opportunity? Let’s discuss in the comments!
#Leadership #HealthSecurity #InfectionPrevention #AgainstTheOdds #GlobalHealth #CapacityBuilding
Senior Country Representative Africa CDC Tanzania
6moMore grace
Pharmaceutical Professional | Skilled in Research Operations, Data Management & Clinical Compliance
6moThis is very informative and truly inspiring! As someone passionate about public health and antimicrobial resistance, I deeply appreciate this insight. Infection prevention is a cornerstone of health security and patient safety. Thank you for sharing!
Technical Officer - AMR and One Health Coordinator @ WHO | Strategic Leadership, Disease Management
6moInsightful👍
clinical microbiologist at federal medical centre,owo,ondo state.
6moCongratulations our own dear Tochi,you thought us through PALS to drop our titles at the door this helped us to achieve much in IPC at our various facilities.You and your team changed the narrative of IPC in Nigeria,l see you leading the Nigeria CDC in the nearest future, keep pushing.