Dr Fatelyn Irenosen Okakah has been appointed as the new Coordinator for the Centre for Geriatric Care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), effective April 27, 2026. The appointment, described by the hospital management as a mark of honour, recognises Dr Okakah's sterling leadership and her career-long dedication to medical excellence.
New Role and Responsibilities
In her new role, Dr Okakah will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the centre and will report directly to the Chief Medical Director. This appointment comes at a pivotal time as ISTH continues to position itself as a Centre for Excellence for the management and control of infectious diseases.
Expertise and Background
Dr Okakah, a Consultant Community Physician and Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, brings a wealth of specialised experience to the centre. Her commitment to the elderly is well-documented; her fellowship dissertation focused extensively on the prevalence and predictors of elder abuse in Edo State.
I am committed to the full participation of the elderly subpopulation in clinical trials on Lassa fever and other similar infectious diseases, Dr Okakah stated in a recent professional briefing. I aspire to raise the next generation of doctors and researchers specialised in the care of the elderly and other vulnerable persons.
Additional Recognition
The appointment coincides with another significant milestone in Dr Okakah's career. The Institute of Policy Management Development (IPMD) has officially conferred a Fellowship upon her. This honour was awarded in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the educational sector and renowned academic excellence.
Career Path
Dr Okakah's path has been shaped by academic rigour and real-world leadership. She is the immediate past Head of the Department of Community Health at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), and she has also been a critical figure in the CEPI ENABLE Lassa Fever Epidemiological Studies. Her work bridges the gap between indigenous knowledge and social medicine, with numerous publications exploring how cultural proverbs, music therapy, and religious taboos intersect with public health.
As she steps into her role as the new Coordinator of Geriatric Care at ISTH, Dr Okakah is set to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure for Nigeria's ageing population, ensuring that geriatric medicine moves from the sidelines to the forefront of clinical priority.
