Anthonia Chinwendu Chukwuemeka
FCT
Summary
A seasoned surveillance officer, results-oriented epidemiologist, disease detective, and public health professional with high conscientiousness in performing duties. A leader with management abilities, proactive and solution-oriented, able to work under pressure, stay on track, and meet deadlines. Analytical and problem-solving abilities are the watchword. High level of autonomy, team spirit, adaptive, resourceful, flexible and resilient
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Senior Country Representative
Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
08.2023 - Current
- I am employed as Senior Country Representative in Federal Republic of Somalia
- Oversee country-level engagement and implementation of the Africa CDC vaccine roll-out support programme
- Ensure that the strategic vision on vaccine acceleration, integration and strengthening the public health system of the country is achieved
- Provide technical and on-the-ground support to the Federal Ministry of Health, Somalia
- Track the progress of the programme at Country level and report
- Represent Africa CDC in the operationalization of the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre
- Prepare proposals, collaborative agreements and /or contracts for the engagement of new partners
- Refine the country ‘s engagement model based on lessons learnt from programme implementation
- Develop Programme Management Unit action plan
- Provide support and advice to facilitate decision making at the country level
- Activate and manage governance
Assistant Director
Federal Ministry of Health
09.2022 - 08.2023
- As Assistant Director in Non Communicable Disease, I served as a Liaision Officer between Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health and Partners as well as capacity building for States Ministries of Health and Local government staff. Focal Person for Mental Health
- Oversee the implementation of NCD, mental health, and injury prevention programs, ensuring adherence to project timelines, goals, and budgets.
- Support local governments and partners in setting up surveillance systems to track trends in NCDs, mental health disorders, and injuries.
- Contribute to training healthcare providers and public health professionals on best practices for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
- Provide technical support to local stakeholders, including health ministries, NGOs, and other partners.
- Organize and deliver workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance capacity in NCDs, mental health, and injury management.
- Advocate for increased investment in NCD prevention, mental health services, and injury mitigation, targeting both public and private sectors.
- Mentor junior staff and offer guidance on technical matters.
Field Epidemiologist
Africa Centre for Disease Control (Contract)
05.2020 - 09.2022
- I worked with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under sponsorship of Africa Centre for Disease Control deployed to Delta State Ministry of Health as Field Epidemiologist to provide technical support in the response to COVID 19 outbreak in Nigeria.
- Facilitated Investigations of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID 19 as well as rumours
- Provided guidance on setting up triage in facilities following community case definition
- Facilitated the optimization of testing capacities in the state
- Performed epidemiological and statistical analysis on data which guided the state response
- Facilitated training of Health Workers involved in COVID 19 response
- Ensured coordination between state and national EOC
- Conducted community engagement, sensitization and health education in the state
Chief Scientific Officer
Federal Ministry of health
01.2020 - 04.2020
- As Chief Scientific Officer in Non Communicable Disease Division, Public Health Department.
- Oversee the implementation of NCD, mental health, and injury prevention programs, ensuring adherence to project timelines, goals, and budgets.
- Support local governments and partners in setting up surveillance systems to track trends in NCDs, mental health disorders, and injuries.
- Contribute to training healthcare providers and public health professionals on best practices for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
Assistant Chief Scientific Officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2016 - 12.2019
- I worked as Assistant Chief Scientific Officer in Non Communicatable Division, Public Health Department , responsible for providing technical leadership, policy advice, and strategic support in the areas of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), mental health, and injury prevention.
- Support the development of national policies and strategies related to NCDs, mental health, and injuries.
- Provide technical expertise in the design of frameworks and action plans to improve prevention and management of these conditions.
- Ensure alignment with international standards and guidelines (e.g., WHO, UN Sustainable Development Goals).
Field Epidemiologist
Africa Centre for Disease Control
12.2014 - 09.2015
- I worked with Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation, in Koinadugu, Kambia and Portloko Districts as Field Epidemiologist during the outbreak of Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
- Provided practical guide by epidemiological data that facilitated Ebola outbreak response
- Facilitated inter districts cross boarder meetings (Kambia and Portloko) and inter country boarder surveillance meetings (Koinadugu, Sierra Leone /Farana, Guinea Conakry and Kambia Sierra Leone and Foracaria , Guinea Conakry)
- Strengthened community engagement and sensitization in communities with cluster of cases of Ebola in Koinadugu, Kambia and Portloko districts
- Performed the analysis of epidemiological data which provided informed decision to Districts on guidance of disease response in the district
Principal Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2013 - 12.2014
- I worked in Measles, Immunization and polio Eradication Initiative Unit, Epidemiology Division, Public Health Department as Principal Scientific officer
- Served as member Working Group for Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign
- Served as National Technical Supervisor Neonatal Tetanus Immunization Campaign
- Served as Management Support Team for CSM immunization in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna states
- Served as Federal Supervisor Immunization Plus Days on Polio Immunization.
- Participated in Polio Outbreak Response in Delta, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Abia states
- Worked as National Technical Supervisor in Enugu State on Health Workers' Immunization against Swine Influenza.
- Operated as Liaison officer on Disease Surveillance to the Southeast Geopolitical zone, Nigeria. As a Liaison officer, I create an early disease warning alert template for all states. I reminded states of the disease season and the need to be prepared for any outbreak.
- Master trainer for Health workers on Measles vaccination, supportive supervision of the implementation of Measles immunisation
Senior Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2010 - 12.2012
- I worked in Chemical Poisoning Unit, Epidemiology Division, Public Health Department as Senior Scientific officer
- Conducted assessment of blood level of Lead chemical poisoning in Zamfara and Niger states LGA
- Carried out descriptive analysis on cases of Lead level in soil and water bodies in Zamfara and Niger states
- Carried out advocacy in communities where mining practices were conducted
- Conducted community sensitization on proper mining practices in Zamfara and Niger states
Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2006 - 12.2009
- I worked in Cholera Cerebrospinal Meningitis Unit, Epidemiology Division, Public Health Department as Scientific officer
- Investigated Disease outbreaks in Nigeria
- Assessed States’ level of preparedness for epidemics in Nigeria
- Trained health workers on disease surveillance and outbreak investigations
- Entered data generated from states to the epi into reporting system.
- Wrote reports on every field work carried out
Education
Ph.D. - Public Health
Global Health Infectious Disease Institute
Nasarawa State University, Nasarawa State 04.2001 -
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University of Washington DC
01.2022
Certificate - Introduction to Epidemiology in Global health
01.2022
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University of Washington DC
01.2021
Certificate - Project Management in Global Health
01.2021
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University of Washington DC
01.2020
Certificate - Monitoring and Evaluation in Global Health
01.2020
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State
01.2019
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University of Nigeria
01.2013
Masters - Public Health
01.2013
Post Graduate Diploma - Education
01.2010
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National Teachers’ Institute affiliated to Usman Danfodio University Sokoto
01.2009
Science Laboratory Technology
Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Science, Vom-Jos, Plateau State.
01.2006
Associate Med. Lab. Sc. - AIMLS
01.2006
Associate - Science Lab Technology
01.2006
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Enugu State University of Science and Technology
01.1999
Bachelors Degree - Microbiology
01.1999
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Queen’s school Enugu
01.1991
West African School Certificate Examination - undefined
01.1991
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Ekulu Primary School Enugu State
01.1985
First School Leaving Certificate - undefined
01.1985
Skills
More than 12 years’ experience in disease surveillance and investigation and 5 years on Non communicable Diseases and Mental Health
Proficiency in data entry and analysis
Excellent technical writing skills
Excellent computer skills including word processing capabilities, proficiency with emails and internet applications, experience in using office software such as MS Excel, Powerpoint and Word
Good knowledge of SPSS, Epi info QGIS
Proven experience in programme management skills
Excellent performance in organizing conferences, summits and meetings
Certification
Certificate of participation by NPHCDA in collaboration with Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals on vaccinology 2009
Referees
- Uche, Joe Uwaleke, Lecturer, Uchejoe01@yahoo.com, 08038655566, Nassarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State
- Godwin, Ntdom, Chief Consultant Epidemiologist, ntadomg@yahoo.com, 07085100800, 09087027577, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
Books Of Abstracts
- Outbreak of yellow fever in Kogi State, Nigeria, Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C coinfection in Nigeria
- Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Yagba West Community toward Yellow fever immunization
- Prevalence of hepatitis C infection and the risk factors associated with the disease
- Descriptive Epidemiology of Mpox Outbreak in Delta State, South, Nigeria, December 2022
Publications
- Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection in Nigeria: A National Survey, 2016-10-05, 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0874
- The transmission Chain Analysis of 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Koinadugu District, Sierra Leone: An observational study, 2017-07-10, 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00160
- Patterns of resistance to first-line anti-Tuberculosis drugs among patients in Abuja, Nigeria: 2009-2012, https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/5/full/
- A Scooping review of mental health among Refugees in United Kingdom, https://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/article/10.11648/j.wjph.20251003.20
Conference attended
- 3rd AFENET Scientific Conference, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, 2019-01-01, Presented paper on the outbreak of yellow fever in Kogi State, Nigeria, Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C coinfection in Nigeria
- 5th AFENET Scientific Conference, Maputo, Mozambique, 2020-01-01, Presented paper on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Yagba West Community toward Yellow fever immunization
- 2nd Nigerian FELTP Conference, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, 2021-01-01, Presented paper on the prevalence of hepatitis C infection and the risk factors associated with the disease
Timeline
Senior Country Representative
Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Director
Federal Ministry of Health
09.2022 - 08.2023
Field Epidemiologist
Africa Centre for Disease Control (Contract)
05.2020 - 09.2022
Chief Scientific Officer
Federal Ministry of health
01.2020 - 04.2020
Assistant Chief Scientific Officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2016 - 12.2019
Field Epidemiologist
Africa Centre for Disease Control
12.2014 - 09.2015
Principal Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2013 - 12.2014
Senior Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2010 - 12.2012
Scientific officer
Federal Ministry of Health
01.2006 - 12.2009
Ph.D. - Public Health
Global Health Infectious Disease Institute
04.2001 -
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University of Washington DC
Certificate - Introduction to Epidemiology in Global health
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University of Washington DC
Certificate - Project Management in Global Health
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University of Washington DC
Certificate - Monitoring and Evaluation in Global Health
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State
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University of Nigeria
Masters - Public Health
Post Graduate Diploma - Education
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National Teachers’ Institute affiliated to Usman Danfodio University Sokoto
Science Laboratory Technology
Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Science, Vom-Jos, Plateau State.
Associate Med. Lab. Sc. - AIMLS
Associate - Science Lab Technology
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Enugu State University of Science and Technology
Bachelors Degree - Microbiology
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Queen’s school Enugu
West African School Certificate Examination - undefined
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Ekulu Primary School Enugu State