Dr Christian Inya Oko pioneering health planning, child welfare

Dr Christian Inya Oko is a distinguished public health researcher and health economist whose work has significantly influenced health planning and management in Nigeria and beyond. As the founder of the Healthy and Smart Children Foundation, he has been instrumental in advancing child health and education in underserved communities. In this interview, Dr Oko discusses his contributions to health planning and management, the mission of his foundation, and its impact on the field.

Q: Dr Oko, could you share with us your background and what led you to focus on health planning and management?

Dr Oko: I began my journey in medicine at the University of Nigeria, where I earned my medical degree, funded by the Shell Scholarship Award for academic excellence. My passion for public health led me to pursue a master’s in public health from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom. Furthering my expertise, I obtained a master’s in health economics and policy from the University of Birmingham, funded by the British Chevening Scholarship Award for impactful leaders, and a certificate in health economics and policy from the University of Lancaster. Additionally, I attended the Global Surgery Course at the University of Oxford and hold certificates in health research, leadership, and global health project management from the University of Washington. I also hold a certificate in Health Policy and Health Systems from the African Institute of Health Policy and Health Systems, affiliated with the World Health Organisation, as well as a certificate in Health Systems Strengthening from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

In the course of my career, I have been an outstanding researcher with the National Institute for Health Research and the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom, contributing to health policy research in global surgery. I was also involved in health policy research, contributing to the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker and received an exceptional long service award for it from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. In Nigeria, my planning and management skill was impactful with the World Health Organisation in the 2019 polio vaccination, which led to the declaration of Nigeria as free from polio in 2020. These experiences equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities in healthcare delivery, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Recognising the challenges within our healthcare system, I was motivated to contribute to more effective health planning and management strategies.

I have also received several awards from the communities, state governor, Nigerian president, and government of the United Kingdom for impactful leadership, planning, and management towards community impact. I have also been involved more in academic teaching as a guest lecturer with the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda and a health management lecturer with the Rome Business School in Nigeria. So far, my background has fuelled my passion to focus more on health planning and management, which leads to universal health coverage and the good health and well-being Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Q: Your publication, “Relationship between patients and medical professionals: expectations towards healthcare services in Nigeria,” has garnered attention. What are the core findings of this research?

Dr Oko: The study delved into the dynamics between patients and healthcare providers in Nigeria, uncovering a significant gap in expectations. Patients often have limited understanding of medical processes, leading to unrealistic expectations. Conversely, healthcare professionals may not fully grasp patients’ concerns and expectations. This misalignment can result in dissatisfaction and strained relationships. Addressing this gap is crucial for improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Q: What inspired you to establish the Healthy and Smart Children Foundation, and what is its mission?

Dr Oko: The foundation was born out of a deep-seated desire to address the high rates of child morbidity and mortality in rural Nigerian communities. There, the majority of the population cannot afford good health services when needed, and the children are vulnerable, often suffering and many dying from preventable and treatable diseases. Our mission is to reduce these rates by providing quality healthcare and nutrition for children through free medical and surgical outreaches. We also aim to promote education by enrolling out-of-school children, supplying educational materials, and motivating them towards excellence. Advocating for child rights and protecting vulnerable children are central to our vision of ensuring every child grows healthily and reaches their full potential.

Q: How does the foundation’s work contribute to the field of health planning and management?

Dr Oko: Our foundation operates at the intersection of community engagement and healthcare delivery. By organising free medical and surgical outreaches, we provide immediate, life-saving healthcare services and collect valuable data on prevalent health issues. This information aids in planning targeted interventions and contributes to health policy research and planning. We also contribute to training local health workers, strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure, ensuring sustainability. Our public health campaigns and advocacy on different prevailing issues have been effective in enhancing knowledge and contributing to policies. Moreover, our educational initiatives address social determinants of health, as educated children are more likely to make informed health choices, leading to healthier communities in the long run.

Q: Can you share some of the foundation’s achievements and their impact on the communities served?

Dr Oko: To date, we have provided healthcare services to over 8,000 children and assisted more than 5,000 school children. Our medical outreaches have reached over 30 communities across different states. One poignant example is a four-year-old child born with a birth defect whose family couldn’t afford surgery. Through our intervention, the child received the necessary surgical care, offering him a brighter future. We went further to do research and to screen out 100 children from 15 communities who had surgical problems and could not access surgery. We set up a surgical team of paediatric surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, and other volunteers who provided free surgeries for the 100 children within two months.

We have similar stories of free medical outreaches to communities and schools, including deworming, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, malaria and diarrhoea prevention and treatment. Such stories underscore the profound impact of our work on individual lives and community health. These successes were recorded by effective application of health planning and management skills, which I have honed in my career over the years.

Q: What challenges have you encountered in your efforts, and how have you addressed them?

Dr Oko: One significant challenge is the lack of awareness and miscommunication between patients and healthcare providers, leading to unmet expectations. We tackle this by conducting health education sessions during our outreaches, fostering better understanding and communication. Resource constraints also pose challenges, but through partnerships and community involvement, we maximise our impact with the resources available.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the foundation and its role in health planning and management?

Dr Oko: We aim to expand our reach to more communities, enhancing our capacity to deliver healthcare and educational services. By collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organisations, we hope to influence policy changes that prioritise child health and education. Our long-term goal is to create a replicable model of community-based health planning and management that can be adopted across Nigeria and other developing countries, ultimately contributing to the global effort of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Q: How can individuals and organisations support your mission?

Dr Oko: Support can come in various forms, including volunteering, partnerships, and donations. We welcome healthcare professionals to join our outreaches, organisations to collaborate on projects, and individuals to contribute resources. By working together, we can amplify our efforts and make a more significant impact on the health and well-being of children in underserved communities.

Dr Christian Inya Oko’s dedication to improving health planning and management through direct community engagement and systemic interventions exemplifies the profound impact that focused initiatives can have on public health. His work as Director with the Healthy and Smart Children Foundation not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also lays the foundation for sustainable health improvements in the communities served.