A 44-year-old Nigerian doctor with considerable experience helping nations around the world combat the most contagious diseases, Dr. Obinna Onyekwena, has been appointed the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Deputy Director for Infectious Disease Advocacy in Seattle, Washington.
In his new position at the foundation, Dr. Onyekwena will oversee the foundation’s investment strategies and portfolio for boosting political commitment, funding, and execution of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and the Neglected Tropical Diseases.
On his Linkedin page, he posted an announcement of the position.
Dr Onyekwena wrote:
“I’m thrilled to share that I will be joining the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as their new Deputy Director, Infectious Disease Advocacy, based in Seattle, Washington.”
“I am grateful for the incredible experience and long-lasting friendships from my time at The Global Fund, and the confidence bestowed on me by the leadership at The Gates Foundation. I believe that there is no better transition to make at this time than to another family working hard to create a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.”
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Dr. Onyekwena received his medical degree from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka and his MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK.
He had a distinguished ten-year career at The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria prior to his appointment, where he helped to develop national responses to three of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world
Additionally, he oversaw investments that successfully increased innovation in HIV service delivery across Africa and Asia.
Early in his career, Dr. Onyekwena worked as the country office’s associate director for monitoring and evaluation for FHI360 Nigeria. He directed studies to comprehend services and systems for Maternal and Child Health in Northern Nigeria and had a significant part in the improvement of national policies and scaling up of Nigeria’s HIV, TB, and Malaria programs.
