Head of Nutrition
National Primary Health Care Development Agency Abuja, Nigeria
Dr Ogechi Akalonu is an accomplished Public Health Nutritionist and the Nutrition Technical Lead at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Abuja Nigeria, with over 20 years’ experience in a mixture of community nutrition, public health and effective healthcare service delivery. Confident, resourceful, self-motivated, and passionate about delivering exceptional services. Ability to combine effective healthcare service delivery team management skills and business management skills, respectively - with high calibre healthcare and business management training and qualifications.
Results-oriented – with proven success in designing and implementing effective nutrition and healthcare service delivery strategies, meeting targets, and where possible, exceeding them. Some of her responsibilities are:
• Provide support for the development and alignment of Nutrition policies, guidelines, programmes and plans in the context of National Health Sector Strategic plan and national development frameworks.
• Provide support to Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Policy formulation and Guidelines on Nutrition interventions at PHC.
• Provide strategic advice on nutrition themes to NPHCDA management on policy formulation, identifying opportunities, and addressing challenges in line with the Agency’s vision and objectives.
• Ensure the department works collaboratively with other departments to align and integrate nutrition services into other interventions/programs/activities and commodities at scale in order to meet the overall mandate of the NPHCDA.
• Provide technical and programmatic support to States, LGAs, Communities and other stakeholders in the functioning, planning, management, implementation, supervision and monitoring of Nutrition interventions at PHC.
• Promote and support Nutrition implementation research to guide improvement of service protocols.
A member of Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Pioneer National Secretary Association of Women Nutritionist Nigeria an affiliate of National Council for Women Societies Nigeria. A member of National Institute of Food Science and Technology, (NIFST), Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), American Society for Nutrition and The Nutrition Society UK. Alumna of Harvard Professional Development Programs, Division of Continuing Education. Member Harvard T. H Chan School of Public Health Department of Nutrition Monday Nutrition and Global Health Seminar Series. Member Harvard T. H Chan School of Public Health Department of Nutrition Obesity Working Group.
Dr Ogechi Akalonu is the Focal Person for the National Integrated Mother and Child Health Handbook (MCH HB).
The 2023 World Breastfeeding Week National Model and Champion.
Dr Ogechi Akalonu likes travelling, reading and meeting people.