Xavier Crespin

Since 2014, Dr. Xavier Crespin is Director General of WAHO. The objective of the West African Health Organization is the attainment of the highest possible standard and protection of health of the peoples in the sub-region through the harmonization of the policies of the Member States, pooling of resources, and cooperation with one another and with others for a collective and strategic combat against the health problems of the sub-region. The main objectives of WAHO are to undertake studies and promote research on major endemic diseases affecting the countries of the region and work towards eradicating them. Dr. Crespin has more than 25 years of working experience in the health sector in West Africa. Before joining WAHO, he was Chief of Health, Young Child Survival and Development at UNICEF Senegal. As chief of the section, he was responsible for the development, planning management and monitoring of the Health, HIV, Nutrition, Emergency and Water-Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) programs within the country program. Before joining the organization Helen Keller International (HKI) Cameroon as its Country Director, Dr. Crespin had been in the same position at HKI Niger. Furthermore, he has been providing technical assistance for the USAID funded Child survival projects in Niger and Mali as a regional advisor. In the past, he has also worked as a Regional Public Health Director in different regions of Niger. Dr. Crespin qualified as a medical doctor at the University of Niamey, Niger, before obtaining a Master in Public Health, Health Administration and Policy at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, USA.