Brain Drain Or Gain? Two Of Africa’s COVID Experts Are Leaving

• Some experts assert that this coincidental turn of events underscores the health sector brain drain from Africa.

Two of Africa’s COVID experts are clearing out their desks and counting the hours as they prepare to take up new roles offered to them overseas.

John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has welcomed his September nomination to lead the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a position that, if confirmed by the US Senate, he would be the first African to hold.

Earlier the same month, Chikwe Ihekweazu, who currently heads the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was appointed to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in the German capital Berlin, WHO said, with the Nigerian physician on course to assume his new position on November 1.

Some experts assert that this coincidental turn of events underscores the health sector brain drain from Africa.

Read also: NCDC DG Ihekweazu Appointed Assistant DG Of WHO

“That’s brain drain,” said Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

“They (Nkengasong and Ihekweazu) have seen better offers and they feel it’s better to leave for greener pastures to further their careers,” Okhuaihesuyi told CNN. “Now is not the best time to leave,” he added.

Nkengasong is a decorated Cameroonian-born virologist, who has chaired the Africa CDC since its launch in 2017, and has played a critical role in Africa’s coronavirus response, amplifying the need for “rapid access to vaccines.”