Governor Chukwuma Soludo has named Prof. Chinelo Ngozi Animalu, an infectious disease specialist based in the United States, as special assistant on HIV diaspora coordination and development for Anambra State.
The announcement came through a statement by Christian Aburime, the governor's chief press secretary.
Aburime said the appointment demonstrates Soludo's commitment to tapping global partnerships that will enhance healthcare services across the state. He explained that Prof.
Animalu will spearhead efforts to pull in international resources and technical knowledge, manage diaspora collaborations, and create long-term approaches to boost Anambra's HIV response efforts.
The appointee brings deep clinical, academic and managerial credentials to the position. She works as an associate professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and holds senior medical leadership roles in the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system.
Prof. Animalu earned her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from Tulane University.
She is a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Aburime noted that she won the 2025 Healthcare Heroes Award for community outreach, alongside multiple other honours for her volunteer and community engagement work. He said the appointment reflects the Soludo administration's determination to draw on diaspora expertise to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes in the state.
"By bringing top-tier diaspora talent into the state's governance structure, the Soludo administration intends to create a more robust and sustainable healthcare system for residents of Anambra," Aburime's statement read.
