By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Professor Palokinam T. Pitche has assumed office as the new Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the specialised health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Professor Pitche officially began his tenure on September 1, 2026, bringing more than 25 years of experience spanning public health, health services administration, programme management and health systems strengthening.
He also brings extensive experience in training health professionals, resource mobilisation and coordinating governments, development partners and community organisations in the implementation of health programmes.
Before his appointment to lead WAHO, Professor Pitche served as National Coordinator of Togo’s National AIDS Control Programme from 2007 to 2012.
In 2012, he became National Coordinator of the Permanent Secretariat of Togo’s National Council for the Fight against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections, a multisectoral body operating under the Presidency of the Togolese Republic.
His professional career also has a strong regional and international dimension.
Since 1996, he has undertaken consultancy assignments for organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), WAHO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
His work has included developing health policies and strategic plans, mobilising resources and supporting the harmonisation of HIV treatment protocols and postgraduate training curricula across ECOWAS Member States.
Extensive academic and clinical experience
Professor Pitche is a university hospital physician and public health specialist with extensive academic and clinical experience.
He has been a senior lecturer in Dermatology and Venereology under CAMES since July 2007 and obtained the Agrégation de Médecine in 2002.
He holds a State Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Lomé, alongside specialised qualifications in dermatology and venereology, epidemiology, HIV, parasitology and tropical medicine, as well as immunology, vaccinology and biotechnology applied to infectious diseases.
His academic and professional training has included Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Paris-Sud University, Johns Hopkins University/CDC and the World Health Organisation in Geneva.
Professor Pitche has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé since 1997, where he contributes to the training of medical students and health professionals and supervises scientific research.
He is also a hospital physician at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé, where he has served as Head of the Dermatology and Venereology Department since 2015.
More than 250 scientific publications
Professor Pitche has contributed extensively to medical research, particularly in dermatology, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and sexual health.
He is the author and co-author of more than 250 scientific articles and four books.
His appointment places him at the helm of WAHO at a time when stronger regional cooperation remains critical to addressing cross-border health threats, strengthening health systems and improving access to quality healthcare across West Africa.
His extensive experience in public health, infectious diseases, health policy, research and regional coordination is expected to support WAHO’s mandate of promoting health cooperation and harmonising health interventions among ECOWAS Member States.
Professor Pitche’s assumption of office therefore marks a new chapter in WAHO’s leadership, with his experience positioned to contribute to the Organisation’s efforts to build stronger and more resilient health systems across the West African region.
