Chinwe Ogbonnaa-Njoke
Chinwe Ogbonnaa-Njoke (IHTM 2015)
Paediatric Specialist, Nigeria
Impact
Since graduating from IHTM, I have primarily been undergoing my paediatric specialisation in Nigeria. The excellent training in research skills and methods that I took from the course has also led me to various research activities among which include:
- Serving as Research Assistant on the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) systematic review on Non-malarial febrile illnesses in Africa (2016-2018) and subsequently the IDDO Living systematic review on COVID-19 therapeutics (2021-2022).
- 2021 Recipient of the RSTMH Early Career Grant to conduct a study on the seroprevalence of COVID-19 among school children in a community primary school in Alakahia community, Rivers State. This is ongoing and has provided critical information on addressing COVID-19 among child populations in Nigeria.
- Editor, Gazette of Medicine Journal, Journal of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (2020-2021). Through this role I provide research leadership and mentorship for fellow doctors and medical professionals.
I am currently working towards commencing my Paediatric Fellowship research examining the effect of short message service (SMS) reminders on the pentavalent vaccine uptake in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The goal of this is to improve vaccine uptake and delivery among children in Port Harcourt and develop similar strategies that can be implemented across Nigeria.
The last word
“IHTM gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my paediatric specialisation and contribute towards improving health and wellbeing for children in my community and Nigeria at large. I remain grateful to IHTM for shaping my goals and career invaluably.”