Olikoye Ransome-Kuti: a treasured advocate for primary health care and a pioneer of good health governance

Abstract

Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, MD, FRCP Edinburgh, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, former Minister of Health of Nigeria, and a pioneering advocate of the principles and practice of primary health care died on June 1, 2003, at the age of 75 years. June 1, 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of his death at which time he would have been 95 years old. Given the phenomenal contributions he made to primary health care worldwide, and to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health care in the African region, the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) has considered it worthwhile to dedicate a special edition to mark the 20th anniversary of his death with the hope that this will help to reawaken consciousness in the principal elements of social justice, equity, and social inclusion in health care for which he devoted his life. The AJRH believes that despite its numerous challenges, Africa has leading innovators and exemplars in the field of health that have helped and can help to revamp the daunting health systems challenge and revigorate development in the continent. It is only by showcasing these leaders and innovators that new patterns of visionaries for growth and development can be thrown up in the region. We believe strongly that Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti is one such leader and despite his death, his memories can help to rejig the pathway that need to be followed to reactivate health care delivery and innovations in Africa. In December 2022, the AJRH invited papers for consideration for publication in its special edition to commemorate the 20th year anniversary of the death of Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. The invitations were in two parts. The first was for commentaries by his associates and friends who knew him well in order to recapture his life and contributions to health and development, while the second part was for scientific papers from a broader scientific audience to provide evidence on ways in which the passions he showed for health in his lifetime are being addressed in present-day health care delivery systems.