Oluwadamilola Olaogun has a medical degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. She is passionate about issues related to maternal and child health. During her service year, Oluwadamilola initiated the inclusion of health promotion and volunteered as a health instructor in a skills acquisition community development project called “Girl Child Education Initiative.” Oluwadamilola worked with the Midwives Service Scheme team on the state of readiness assessment for the condition cash transfer pilot project. She also gives technical assistant for research development in PHI.
Mentor
Oladele Akogun is a Professor of Public Health and has spent over 25 years on health system research, focusing on access to and utilization of intervention services. He holds a PhD in Public Health and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. Prof Akogun is a trained guidance and career counselor, a certified mediator, and holds a diploma in common law. Professor Akogun has worked with policy implementers at all levels in Northeastern Nigeria since 1986. He led the WHO team that mapped health facility locations. He was lead consultant for the child and maternal health landscape analysis in Taraba State and maternal survival initiatives in Zamfara. Professor Akogun is also the Director of Common Heritage Foundation which specializes in mentoring interns. Pan-American Health Organization honored him with the 2009 “Outstanding Contribution to South-South Cooperation Award” for spearheading research on access to interventions in Africa.
Project
As a Young Champion, Oluwadamilola worked with the Common Heritage Foundation to identify ways of reducing socio-cultural barriers that can limit access to maternal health service delivery. She will seek ways of designing programs with an understanding of the local contextual background.