Joseph Ana, Nigerian health commissioner and former NHS doctor, dies at 73
7 reported
Joseph Ana, a urologist and GP who worked for the NHS in the UK before returning to Nigeria to serve as a health commissioner, has died at the age of 73, according to a report from The Guardian. Ana spent nearly two decades in the UK, working in various hospitals in the south-east of England and later as a GP in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. In 2004, he was headhunted to become health commissioner in Cross River state, Nigeria, where he oversaw improvements in vaccination rates and the introduction of a state-wide ambulance service. During his tenure, the vaccination rate rose from 20% to 80% and HIV prevalence halved from 12%. After stepping down in 2008, he worked as a consultant, advised the Nigerian government, and chaired the World Health Organization’s technical advisory group on integrated care. He is survived by his wife, Arit, their daughter Mbang, son Onebieni, and five grandchildren.
What’s reported
Joseph Ana died at age 73.
He worked for the NHS in the UK as a urologist and GP for nearly two decades.
He returned to Nigeria in 2004 to become health commissioner in Cross River state.
Under his tenure, vaccination rates rose from 20% to 80% and HIV prevalence halved from 12%.
He introduced a state-wide ambulance service in Cross River state.
After 2008, he became a consultant and chaired the WHO’s technical advisory group on integrated care.
He is survived by his wife, Arit, daughter Mbang, son Onebieni, and five grandchildren.
Key figures
Joseph Ana, former NHS doctor and Nigerian health commissioner
Arit Akak, his wife and a public health nutritionist
Onun Onebieni Uguana Ana, his father
Ubu Ana, his mother
Sources: The Guardian
