By Damiete Braide
In the war-torn landscapes of Borno State, Nigeria, where insurgency and displacement have wreaked havoc on communities, one man’s vision is reshaping the future of public health. Dr. Ernest Chinedu Okoli, a Health Social Mobilization Consultant with UNICEF, has embarked on a transformative journey that is bringing essential healthcare services to those most in need.
In 2016, facing overwhelming challenges — from impassable terrain to crumbling infrastructure — Dr. Okoli devised an innovative hybrid solution to bridge the healthcare gap for remote populations. He rolled out mobile clinics equipped with telehealth capabilities, allowing healthcare professionals to connect with patients from afar. Additionally, he launched SMS-enabled health communication platforms that keep communities informed and engaged. This multi-faceted strategy has made a profound difference in regions previously cut off from vital healthcare resources.
Among the many areas impacted by Dr. Okoli’s initiative are Local Government Areas like Monguno, Gwoza, Bama, and Ngala. Here, families previously excluded from healthcare now have access to essential services such as immunization and maternal health support. Dr. Okoli’s approach was holistic; he recognized that effective communication is just as crucial as delivering healthcare. By integrating health messaging in the local languages — Kanuri, Hausa, Shuwa Arabic, and Marghi — he ensured that the information resonated with the communities he aimed to serve.
Collaboration was another cornerstone of Dr. Okoli’s strategy. He understood that to instill trust and encourage health-seeking behavior, he needed to work with influential local leaders. By building partnerships with traditional rulers, religious figures, women’s groups, and youth advocates, Dr. Okoli successfully mobilized the community to prioritize healthcare. His efforts paid off significantly, leading to a remarkable 67% increase in immunization coverage and a 40% reduction in vaccine hesitancy among populations that had previously resisted vaccination.
Beyond immediate healthcare delivery, Dr. Okoli has left a lasting legacy through his establishment of a robust surveillance and reporting framework. This system has been integrated into the Borno State Health Information Management System, enhancing maternal and child health tracking, facilitating disease outbreak alerts, and streamlining emergency responses.
Dr. Haruna Mshelia, the Borno State Commissioner for Health, spoke highly of Dr. Okoli’s impact: “Dr. Ernest Okoli brought an entirely new level of innovation and resilience to our emergency health response. His work in deploying telehealth, mobile clinics, SMS health communication, and real-time surveillance systems has saved countless lives. He is without question one of the finest public health innovators we’ve worked with.”
Dr. Okoli’s efforts have not only improved healthcare access in Borno State but have also set a nationwide example of what can be achieved in fragile and crisis-prone environments. His work embodies hope and resilience, proving that even in the face of adversity, transformative change is possible. As Borno State continues to rebuild, the contributions of Dr. Okoli serve as a cornerstone of its public health strategy, illustrating the profound impact one visionary leader can have on the health and well-being of an entire community.