In every newsletter, we’ll feature a new researcher who is a dedicated member of our community of practice. This month, we sat down with Dr. Justice Nonvignon, the head of the Health Economics Programme at the Africa CDC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Dr. Justice Nonvignon, and I am the head of the Health Economics Program at the Africa CDC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am also an associate professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Ghana.The responsibility of the Africa CDC is to support countries in strengthening their public health systems. To me, that involves supporting countries around decisions in public health issues and infrastructure. My role is leveraging health economics to support such decisions.
How did you get started in immunization economics? I got a graduate degree in economics; I didn’t stumble upon health economics—I made an effort. I thought it would be more interesting to focus on health because it was an emerging area. It was an opportunity to do something that is really applied. I came straight into public health and health economics after my masters, and it has been quite eventful. I’ve learned a lot about how to apply economics to different areas of work. That includes working with people who don’t necessarily agree with me about the importance of economics for health and why we do what we do.
Most of my work has been around malaria, but I came into immunization when I worked on cost-effectiveness of introducing rotavirus vaccination into Ghana’s routine immunization program, and subsequently leveraging health economics to understand the switch from one vaccine brand to another. Ghana introduced the rotavirus vaccine in 2016 with one brand, but a couple years ago they decided to switch to another brand. I worked to support that decision and the cost implications. At the Africa CDC, we’ve done work around COVID-19 as well; vaccine economics has been a key area in that regard.
What do you like most about what you do? First and foremost, I am a teacher, then I am a researcher. I love teaching. I love helping people understand economics and apply it to health and health care. It is important to inquire as to why things are the way they are and to put outputs out there, but it doesn’t end there. It comes down to looking at how your work makes change, that you are producing something that people and decision-makers need. It’s important to generate outputs and help people understand how and why outputs can help their needs in everyday decision-making.
Do you have any tips for aspiring health economists? You have to love what you do. Otherwise, you easily get discouraged. After undergraduate, we undertake one year of national service in Ghana. I worked as a teaching assistant, working with undergraduate economics students. An elderly person at the time told me, ‘You know, Justice, you will become a teacher because you love what you do.’ At the time, I didn’t believe it. Fast-forward, I wish I could meet him to say, “thank you.”
You don’t go into an area because someone wants you to do that. There are days that bring challenges, and you need to love what you do so you don’t get discouraged.
There are people out there who can help you. There are times when you don’t know what you’re doing, but there are many people to help guide you. Mentorship is key to going forward and staying focused. These have been my guiding principles in my work.
How do you like to spend time outside of work? With family! I come from a very large family; I like to spend my weekends with not just my nuclear family, but my extended family. Spending time with them and their children. Also, with my community, friends, and church. I put a lot of work into my personal relationships.
Where are you based and what would you recommend to a visitor? I am based in Addis Ababa, and yes! I would recommend it. I’ve been here not long, a couple of weeks, actually. I love the city, there is a lot of green around, mountains and parks.
What is your favorite family or cultural tradition? Look out for each other. I mentioned I come from a very large family; one thing I’ve always been told is to look out for one another. Always care about what’s next for your siblings and your colleagues. I have 21 siblings, and with that many people you can’t always keep track of everyone, but at least showing that you care is a key thing we always keep with us.
How do you take your coffee or tea? I don’t really drink either, but if I’m somewhere that is really cold, I would choose tea.
Are you interested in being featured in a future newsletter? Or would like to nominate another member? Please email immunizationeconomics@thinkwell.global with your suggestion and a brief description of your or their work. We are specifically interested in spotlighting the work and profiles of country researchers working on immunization economics.