We are delighted to invite you to an insightful and impactful webinar organized by the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Africa (COEHA) focused on the well-being of healthcare workers in Africa.** This webinar brings together esteemed experts and frontline healthcare workers to discuss critical issues and share strategies for improving the health and safety of those who tirelessly serve our communities.

Program Highlights

Keynote Speech:
Addressing the overarching challenges and opportunities in promoting the health and well-being of healthcare workers across Africa.

Presentations:
– Insights into managing exposure injuries among healthcare workers.
– Groundbreaking research on the alarming rates of sudden death among doctors in Sudan, shedding light on the mental health crisis facing healthcare professionals.

Panel Discussion:
– Exploring comprehensive policy frameworks, robust support systems, and actionable strategies to enhance the welfare of healthcare workers. The discussion will integrate global experiences, from managing exposure injuries and frontline workers during conflicts to addressing burnout and suicide.

Speakers & Panelists

Dr Dorothy Ngajilo is an Occupational Medicine Specialist working with the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Occupational and Workplace Health Programme. She is responsible for supporting WHO technical work in occupational health, including development and implementation of occupational health and safety programmes for health workers in different countries.

Prior to joining WHO, Dr. Ngajilo worked in the Ministry of Health of her native country, Tanzania, as an Occupational Medicine Physician and a technical advisor to the Tanzanian Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA).

Dr. Ngajilo is a medical doctor with Occupational Medicine specialty training from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is also a Fellow of the College of Public Health Medicine (Occupational Medicine) of South Africa.

Dr Laurence Boakye has been a consultant in occupational medicine in the UK for almost 20 years. He works as a consultant in the NHS and is a senior medical director for healthcare for a large UK private occupational health provider.

He is a specialist in occupational health provision for healthcare workers and has a special interest in managing needle stick injuries, tuberculosis, hepatitis B immunization, and work-related stress. He has written several occupational health policies which include policies on the management of needle stick injuries, occupational health aspects of tuberculosis management, and immunization policies.

He has been involved in training occupational medicine physicians since 2007 and has held several senior training positions including Training Programme Director, Medical Director of Training, and is an accredited educational and clinical supervisor. He is an examiner and CESR assessor for the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.

Dr Omer Elawad is a highly accomplished medical professional. A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Gezira, he holds a Master’s degree in Health Professions Education and a medical doctorate in internal medicine from the Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB). As a mentor at Project ECHO, Dr. Elawad is dedicated to fostering the growth of healthcare professionals. He is also the author of a book on the management of common medical emergencies in Sudan.

Dr Atem Nathan Riak ANYUON is a distinguished public health expert with extensive experience in East Africa. As the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health in South Sudan, Dr. Anyuon has been instrumental in shaping and implementing primary healthcare policies and programs across the country. His leadership and expertise have significantly contributed to improving health outcomes and access to quality healthcare services for communities in South Sudan and the broader East African region.

Dr Hiba Omer Ibrahim is the esteemed President of the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, leading the organization in its response to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In addition to her pivotal role as a syndicate leader, Dr. Ibrahim is also a dedicated surgeon. Her unique perspective and dual responsibilities allow her to provide valuable insights into the challenges and experiences faced by healthcare professionals on the frontline. Dr. Ibrahim’s leadership and commitment are instrumental in navigating the complexities of healthcare delivery in conflict settings, and she continues to advocate for the safety and well-being of medical practitioners in Sudan.

Dr David O. Okello brings over 40 years of national and international public health experience to his role at ACHEST. A seasoned public health physician, he has held leadership positions within the World Health Organization (WHO) and academic institutions. Dr Okello’s expertise lies in health systems strengthening, disease prevention, and intersectoral collaboration.

At ACHEST, he leads initiatives to promote health systems resilience and engage rural communities in responding to health crises such as COVID-19. His work informs policy advice and empowers communities to take ownership of their health outcomes. Dr Okello also conducts research on intersectoral collaboration to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During his tenure at WHO, he served as Country Representative in several African countries and directed initiatives on AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Dr Okello’s academic contributions include senior lectureship at Makerere University Medical School, where he trained future medical professionals and spearheaded Health Systems Research for the Uganda Ministry of Health.

Dr Okello holds degrees from Makerere University and Newcastle University, Australia, and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He is recognized for his prolific publication record in peer-reviewed health journals and books.

Join us in this vital conversation and contribute to shaping a safer and healthier environment for healthcare workers in Africa. We look forward to your participation. Together, we can make a difference!