In a moment of recognition and celebration, the vice-president and regional director for Africa at Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi has been honoured with the Award of Recognition at the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria’s (HFN) annual conference.
The accolade commends her outstanding efforts in championing safe and quality cleft care.
The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) advocates for policy reforms that actively support and drive growth in the private healthcare sector. The 2024 conference, themed “Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Public-Private Integration as a Powerful Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” provided a fitting backdrop for Obi’s distinguished acknowledgment.
Obi, a fervent advocate for global health initiatives, engages with governments and community-based organisations to prioritise and deliver high social impact investments in healthcare. As part of the National Surgical Anesthesia and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) implementation, she initiated the establishment of a cleft registry, collaborating with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders in Nigeria. Building on this success, Obi is a pioneer of the Pan-Africa Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF), fostering collaboration among ministries of health in Africa and policymakers to prioritise surgical healthcare in the region.
Upon receiving the award, Obi graciously remarked, “I receive this on behalf of our wonderful medical professionals across Nigeria and Africa whose passion and commitment inspire Smile Train to continue reaching the most underserved communities with safe and quality cleft care all year round.”
Obi’s impactful leadership extends to overseeing fellowship trainings in cleft care specialisation and the establishment of solar-powered pediatric operating rooms across Africa, known as Green ORs. Additionally, she has spearheaded the construction of Africa’s Regional Cleft Centre of Excellence in Ghana, scheduled to be launched later in 2024.
Cleft, a birth difference affecting the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth, poses challenges to breathing, eating, speaking and hearing for affected children. Smile Train focuses on capacity building within the cleft ecosystem, including surgeons, anesthesia providers, community health workers and nurses.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Smile Train has transformed the lives of nearly 2 million beneficiaries globally. In Africa, Smile Train collaborates with more than 700 local partner hospitals and over 300 medical partners in 42 countries, providing free cleft treatment. In Nigeria alone, Smile Train’s programmes, initiated in 2008, have brought smiles to more than 30,000 beneficiaries through a network of 30 treatment centers and over 50 medical professionals.
Obi, with a bachelor in physics from the University of Calabar, an MBA and ongoing pursuit of a doctorate in health management, stands as a certified management consultant and a global professional of human resources. An alumna of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos and the Haggai Institute of Advanced Leadership in Hawaii, USA, Obi exemplifies commitment and excellence in advancing quality healthcare in Africa.
