DR. NGOZI. R. C. AZODOH

MBBS (Nig.), MPH, PGD(PAD), MPA, MSc (Health Systems Mgt)
Director, Health Planning, Research & Statistics

Dr. Ngozi R.C. Azodoh is a Public Health Physician, a consummate administrator, an accomplished manager, and an experienced coordinator of complex health projects. She serves currently as Director/ Head of the Department of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics of the FMoH. In this capacity, she coordinates processes towards the development of the National Health System and provides the secretariat for the key development organs of the Health Sector including the National Council on Health (NCH), the highest health policy-making body in Nigeria.

Prior to her current appointment, she was the Director/Head Special Projects Department and the pioneer National Coordinator of the Nigerian Health Sector Response to Humanitarian Crises Initiative, Health and Nutrition Emergency Response in the North East and coordinates Health Response in fragile/conflict states. She had served in various capacities such as the first Director of International Health in FMoH, Head of Medical Services of the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Health, National Coordinator of the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and SDGs/Resource Mobilization secretariat and coordinated early efforts towards the establishment/coordination of Health Care Financing consequent upon which she was appointed as the Director, representing the Ministry of Health on the governing board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from 2013-2015. In addition, from 2011-2014, she served as Nigeria's representative to the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO).

She is an alumnus of various prestigious institutions around the world including the University of Nigeria, the World Bank Institute, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Galilee College Israel, The Korean Institute of Health and Social Affairs.

Dr. Azodoh is one of the critical persons at the frontline to the response and management of the Health Sector response to COVID-19 when she was appointed by the Honorable Minister of Health (HMH), Dr. Osagie Ehanire to drive the process of the development and implementation of the National Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan (NAHCPRAP). In making this appointment, the HMH was fully mindful and guided by the excellence which is the hallmark of Dr. Azodoh and her ability to deliver on the most complex and challenging of activities and to always impact our national psyche.

She is also a member and secretary of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Health Sector Response (MEACoC-HSR): a high-level advisory platform established by the Hon Minister to provide technical advisory support to the leadership of the Health Sector COVID-19 response in Nigeria. As a member and head of the secretariat, she leads the team that backstops all the work of the committee and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the committee. Additionally, she is the secretary of the National COVID-19 vaccine coordinating committee. A committee that is responsible for the acquisition and strategic distribution of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Azodoh holds several recognitions including the Eziada title from her home community in recognition of outstanding support and sacrifice towards the upliftment of her home, Amuda Isuochi community, and Alaigbe. She is an ordained Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and happily married to Dr. E. U. Azodoh, a pastor and consultant urologist, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.