Raymond S. Dankoli
Toronto,Ontario
Summary
An experienced medical doctor, public health professional and a field epidemiologist with several track records of participating and leading disease outbreak investigations and responses both locally and internationally. Recently held the position of Polio Outbreak Response Coordinator for World Health Organization (WHO) in Ukraine leading to a successful interruption of the poliovirus transmission and closure of the outbreak despite the ongoing war. Had several years of experience of working in security challenged areas like in Northeast Nigeria as a Surveillance officer for WHO and as a Clinician in a Specialist hospital. I participated and led several outbreak responses of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) like Measles, Yellow Fever, Cholera, meningitis and COVID 19. I Supported poliovirus (WPV and VDPVs) outbreak responses in Nigeria, Angola, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Ukraine. Had experience with the use of several oral polio vaccine types (bOPV, mOPV2, nOPV2) and IPV during poliovirus outbreak responses. I had been a pioneer member of WHO AFRO Regional Environmental Surveillance Working Group (RESWG), I initiated, evaluated, and expanded poliovirus environmental surveillance in the following Countries, Nigeria, Angola, South Sudan, Benin Republic, Chad Republic, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Ukraine. I was a member of the review committee for the Nigerian Poliovirus surveillance technical guideline 2019. I am an excellent public health manager with administrative skills and experience in inter agency coordination. A researcher with several publications in reputable academic and scientific journals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Polio Outbreak Response Coordinator (GPEI Coordinator)
World Health Organization, Ukraine Country Office
05.2022 - 12.2023
- The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) coordinator is responsible for the overall management of the operational response to the poliovirus outbreak, working under the supervision of the head of WHO/UNICEF offices and in collaboration with health authorities and other health partners
- Key achievements: Successfully responded to the cVDPV2 outbreak leading to the closure of the outbreak despite the ongoing war, Coordinated and successfully hosted the Outbreak response assessment (OBRA) in Ukraine, Coordinated all the GPEI partners and interfaced with the National authorities during the outbreak period, Production and dissemination of weekly polio sitrep to all stakeholders, Set up poliovirus specific environmental surveillance in Ukraine.
Polio Consultant
African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) /USCDC
02.2021 - 03.2022
- Key responsibilities: Improving the quality of the Polio outbreak response, Introduction of nOPV2
- Key achievements: Participated in national level nOPV2 introduction planning and preparatory activities, Supported the country in development of its nOPV2 introduction work plan, Participated in planning processes to identify gaps in human and financial resources required for optimal introduction of nOPV2, Contribute to the development and distribution of advocacy and communication materials, Support the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Partners in the planning and implementation of a high-quality nOPV2 outbreak response activities, Enhance sensitivity and quality of Polio and AEFI surveillance, Coordination/Supervision, SIAs (and Polio NIDs) planning, implementation, and monitoring, Strengthening Polio Surveillance.
Consultant Surveillance Officer
World Health Organization Nigeria, Borno State Field Office
04.2018 - 01.2021
- Key Achievements: Successful Polio eradication and certification by heading and coordinating all the surveillance activities and efforts in Borno State, Nigeria, Coordinated the implementations of surveillance strategies in the insecure areas of Borno State, Supported the development of annual state surveillance work plan and follow up with its implementation, Reviewed and updated surveillance focal sites for optimum performance, Coordinated, Supervised, and supported disease outbreak investigation and prevention (Polio virus, measles, viral hemorrhagic fever, cholera outbreaks ETC), Monitored and strengthened AFP surveillance network and reporting, Provided technical expertise in planning and monitoring of integrated disease surveillance and response activities, Facilitated capacity building for disease surveillance officers.
Cluster Consultant
World Health Organization Nigeria, Gombe State Field Office
09.2013 - 04.2018
- Key Achievements: Provided technical expertise in effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs), Provided guidance and training on planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, using National Immunization Days, Immunization Plus Days, Routine Immunization and Surveillance data to drive Programme decisions, Provided technical expertise in planning and monitoring of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDRS) activities, Monitored the completeness and timeliness of surveillance reports, Provided technical expertise in planning, implementation, and monitoring of Routine Immunization Activities to increase coverage, Participated with other partners in identifying and advocating to influential community leaders to ensure Programme ownership and community participation, Facilitated timely compilation and submission of periodic and incidental program progress reports, Supported the investigation and control of disease outbreaks.
Senior Medical Officer/ Head of Department Medicine
Ministry of Health/ State Specialist Hospital Gombe
11.2006 - 09.2013
- Key responsibilities/ Achievements: Provided General Outpatient care and Management, Provided Patient education, counselling, and Public Health awareness, Coordinated the management of all medical conditions that presented to the hospital, Contributed to providing guidance and training to junior physicians, Ensured that the highest standards in patient care are maintained, Verified complex diagnoses and facilitating treatment plans, Ensured compliance with healthcare regulations and safety standards, Management of human and material resources of the Department of Medicine State Specialist Hospital Gombe, Participated in the hospital management meeting to support in critical decisions making.
Member International Certification Committee on Guinea worm Eradication in Nigeria
06.2013 - 07.2013
- Key responsibilities: Reviewed Nigeria documentation for evidence of absence of Guinea worm disease, Visited some selected States to review and validate their document, Compiled report based on available evidence and document, Provided feedback to the Ministry of Health, Submit report to the International Certification Commission for Dracunculus Eradication (ICCDE).
Intern Doctor (House Officer)
Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Plateau State
10.2005 - 10.2006
- Key responsibilities: Providing routine and emergency medical services, Providing routine and emergency Obstetrics and gynecology services, Providing routine and emergency Paediatrics services, Management of inpatients, carrying out minor procedures and assisting in surgeries, Attending to out- patient at the clinic through counseling, screening, and treatment.
Polio Consultant (Surveillance and SIA)
World Health Organization, AFRO
03.2022
- Key responsibilities: Help countries to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies, Co-develop the guidelines, tools, and indicators for effective disease surveillance at the national, sub-national and community levels, Support countries by developing a National Environmental Surveillance (ES) plan to monitor ES implementation in nOPV2 priority countries, Support the use of remote sessions to conduct supervisory reviews of existing ES sites and support local teams in adding/removing sites, Conduct monthly desk review by analyzing the performance of ES and provide corrective actions by conducting teleconferences with key stakeholders, Coordinate and manage surveillance technical activities and programs, within the context of the outbreak and health emergencies Programme
- Key achievements: Supported Tanzania during the multi-country response to the WPV1 outbreak in Malawi, Facilitated the capacity building of health care workers in response to the outbreak, Reviewed the environmental surveillance sites for maximum performance, Participated in drafting the weekly polio sitrep, Strengthened the capacity of the surveillance team for effective and sustained surveillance.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health) -
University of Central Nicaragua (UCN)
01.2022
Master’s in Disaster Risk Management (MDM) -
University of Maiduguri
01.2022
Certificate in Digital Money (CIDM) -
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Digital Frontiers Institute, TUFTS University
12.2021
Master’s in public health (Field Epidemiology) -
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
01.2012
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) -
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
01.2004
Senior School Certificate -
Government Science Secondary School, Kaltungo, Gombe State
01.1990
Skills
- Infectious Disease Outbreak Investigation
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Risk and Disaster Management
- Leadership
- Disease Surveillance
- Community Engagement
- Flexibility/Adaptability
- Multi-tasking
- Working under pressure
References
- Dr Siddhartha Sankar Datta, Programme Manager, Vaccines-preventable Diseases and Immunization (VPI), +4545337119, dattas@who.int
- Dr. Eric Wiesen, African Polio Team Lead, U.S Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, +1 (404) 398 4087, ejw2@cdc.gov
- Dr. Ticha Johnson, Surveillance Focal Point, WHO AFRO, +242040538221, tichaj@who.int
- Guillaume Simonian, World Health Emergency (WHE) Team lead, WHO Country Office Ukraine, +41227912727, simoniang@who.int
Training
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), 10/2009, 10/2011
- Nigerian Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP), 06/2013
- WHO e-learning Course on investigating Adverse event following Immunization, 12/2019
- WHO Training on Cybersecurity Essentials and Preventing Phishing (Multilingual), 12/2018
- Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE), 06/2018
- United Nations Multilingual Course on Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority, 05/2018
- HIV/AIDS and the use of Antiretroviral drugs, 01/2007
- Management Information System (MIS) for ART team in health facilities and LGAs, 06/2007
- Introductory Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Training, 07/2008
- Comprehensive Paediatrics ART Training, 07/2008
- Management of TB/HIV Co-infection, 09/2008
- ICT and Globalization in health care delivery system, 10/2008
- Comprehensive Adult ART training, 10/2008
- Radiology Training, 11/2008
- Clinical Management of human case of Avian Influenza, 01/2009
- Community home base care training, 02/2009
Accomplishments
- WHO Director-General Award of Excellence 2022
- Outstanding Leadership Award
Languages
English
First Language
French
Beginner
A1
Certification
- Medical and Dental Council Of Nigeria
- Health Emergencies
- Safe and Secure Approach in Field Environment (SSAFE)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Polio Outbreak Response Coordinator (GPEI Coordinator)
World Health Organization, Ukraine Country Office
05.2022 - 12.2023
Polio Consultant (Surveillance and SIA)
World Health Organization, AFRO
03.2022
Polio Consultant
African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) /USCDC
02.2021 - 03.2022
Consultant Surveillance Officer
World Health Organization Nigeria, Borno State Field Office
04.2018 - 01.2021
Cluster Consultant
World Health Organization Nigeria, Gombe State Field Office
09.2013 - 04.2018
Member International Certification Committee on Guinea worm Eradication in Nigeria
06.2013 - 07.2013
Senior Medical Officer/ Head of Department Medicine
Ministry of Health/ State Specialist Hospital Gombe
11.2006 - 09.2013
Intern Doctor (House Officer)
Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Plateau State
10.2005 - 10.2006
Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health) -
University of Central Nicaragua (UCN)
Master’s in Disaster Risk Management (MDM) -
University of Maiduguri
Certificate in Digital Money (CIDM) -
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Digital Frontiers Institute, TUFTS University
Master’s in public health (Field Epidemiology) -
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) -
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
Senior School Certificate -
Government Science Secondary School, Kaltungo, Gombe State
- Medical and Dental Council Of Nigeria
- Health Emergencies
- Safe and Secure Approach in Field Environment (SSAFE)
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