The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has engaged a new Health Coordinator to run its programs in the health sector.He is Ahmad Abdulwahab, a medical doctor and experienced public health/health systems expert with over 20 years’ experience in the health sector within and outside the country.A statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Affairs at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Abulrazque B. Barkindo, said Dr. Abdulwahab would function as an embedded consultant at the Forum’s health sector.He said: “Ahmad has worked with both government and international organizations. He was a Director of Public Health in the Yobe State Ministry of Health; a State Team Manager, Deputy National Programme Manager and subsequently the National Programme Manager of the 65-million Pounds DFID-funded PRRINN-MNCH programme.
“His last assignment before joining the NGF secretariat was the Deputy Country Director / Programme Director Essential Medicines, with the Clinton Health Initiatives (CHAI) in Nigeria. He is also a consultant to Health Information Systems project, based in South Africa on the Global Health Security Health Agenda. He also worked with several other programmes managed/funded by WHO, UNICEF, USAID, DFID, NORAD, CIDA, NORAD, BMGF, Netherland Leprosy Relief, World Bank and Global Fund.
“Ahmad possesses robust project leadership abilities, management, organizational skills, coupled with a strong analytical and innovative mind with an ability to think both strategically and laterally. Ahmad led the team that saw the achievement of the WHO Leprosy Elimination target and the take-off of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Strategy for TB in Yobe State.
“He also developed the innovative funding mechanism for financing PHC services in Zamfara State, called the Basket fund, which has now been adopted nationally; He is also one of the initiators of the PHCUOR concept in Nigeria and he directly facilitated the establishment of the State Primary Health Care Boards in Zamfara and Yobe States. He was also the catalyst for the introduction of DHIS2 Software for the management of HMIS data in Nigeria.
“He has shared his extensive experience and knowledge of public health, health policy, and health systems reform, through presentations at a number of international fora. He is married with children.”