THE Anambra State Government has announced the appointment of United States-based infectious disease specialist, Professor Chinelo Ngozi Animalu, as Special Assistant to the Governor on State HIV Diaspora Coordination and Development.
According to a press release by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the appointment underscores the present administration’s strategic focus on leveraging global partnerships to elevate local healthcare delivery.
The statement said that in her new role, Professor Animalu will head initiatives aimed at mobilising international resources and technical expertise. She will lead the coordination of diaspora partnerships and develop sustainable, innovative strategies to strengthen the state’s ongoing HIV response.
Professor Animalu brings a wealth of clinical, academic and leadership experience to the administration. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre in Memphis and holds senior medical leadership positions within the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system.
An accomplished academic and researcher, her credentials include a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Tulane University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (FIDSA).
She is also a recipient of the 2025 Healthcare Heroes Award for Community Outreach, alongside numerous awards for volunteerism and community service.
The statement added that her appointment further demonstrates the Soludo administration’s commitment to harnessing global expertise and diaspora partnerships towards strengthening healthcare delivery and achieving a healthier, more prosperous Anambra State.
By bringing top-tier diaspora talent into the state’s governance framework, the Soludo administration aims to build a more resilient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem for Ndi Anambra, the statement concluded.
