PROJECT DETAILS
Program
PEPFAR
Countries
Nigeria, Zambia
Role
CDC Country Leadership
Advisory
US Ambassador Health Advisor
Global Health
HIV/AIDS
PEPFAR
Leading PEPFAR Implementation in Nigeria and Zambia
Providing leadership and oversight of CDC's HIV programs as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, serving as key health advisor to US Ambassadors on critical public health matters.
🎗️
Global HIV Response
Advisory
Ambassador Level
Multi
Disease Portfolio
PEPFAR
Program Scale
2
Countries Led
the challenge
Scaling HIV Programs in High-Burden Countries
Nigeria and Zambia represent two of the highest HIV burden countries in Africa, requiring massive scale-up of prevention, testing, and treatment services. PEPFAR programs needed to reach millions while building sustainable local health system capacity.
Beyond HIV, these countries faced concurrent challenges with polio eradication, tuberculosis control, and other infectious diseases requiring integrated approaches and diplomatic coordination at the highest levels.
"Success required not just technical expertise but diplomatic skill—serving as the bridge between CDC's scientific mission and the broader US government presence in-country."
Our Approach
Integrated Country Leadership
The response combined CDC's scientific mission with high-level diplomatic presence.
01
Program Oversight
Led CDC's PEPFAR programs including prevention, care, and treatment services across multiple implementing partners.
02
Ambassador Advisory
Served as key health advisor to US Ambassadors, providing expert guidance on HIV, polio, TB, and other critical health issues.
03
Partner Coordination
Coordinated with ministries of health, NGOs, and international organizations to align efforts and maximize impact.
04
Capacity Building
Invested in local workforce development and health system strengthening for sustainable impact beyond PEPFAR funding.
"
This work demonstrated how technical public health expertise combined with diplomatic engagement could accelerate progress toward epidemic control.
Program Impact
the results
Scaled Impact Across Two Nations
HIV services were successfully scaled while building local system capacity for sustainability.
🏗️
Built
Local health system capacity for sustainability
🌍
Scaled
HIV services across Nigeria and Zambia
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Advisory
Ambassador-level health guidance provided
key insights
Global Health Implementation
1
Technical + Diplomatic = Impact
Public health expertise must be paired with diplomatic skill to navigate complex country contexts.
2
Integration Multiplies Effect
Addressing HIV alongside TB, polio, and other diseases creates synergies that improve all outcomes.
3
Sustainability Requires Investment
Building local capacity ensures programs continue to deliver after external funding transitions.
4
Ambassador Access Accelerates Progress
High-level engagement can unlock resources and political will that technical approaches alone cannot.
Planning Global Health Programs?
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