Dr. Édouard Niankoye Lamah (1945 - March 18, 2025) was a prominent Guinean physician and politician who dedicated his career to public health in his country. A specialist in infectious diseases and a professor from the first graduating class of the Faculty of Medicine of Guinea, he held several high-level positions, including Deputy Director General of Donka National Hospital, before entering politics.
His political career was marked by his roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Minister of Health (2018-2019) under the presidency of Alpha Condé. During his tenure at the Ministry of Health, he focused on strengthening epidemiological surveillance, combating illegal medications, and improving Guinea's healthcare system. He also significantly increased the health budget and facilitated the recruitment of over 4,000 new healthcare workers.
Introduction
Born in 1945, Dr. Édouard Niankoye Lamah passed away on March 18, 2025, at the Sino-Guinean Friendship Hospital in Conakry, following a remarkable career dedicated to public health in Guinea. As a prominent figure from the first graduating class of the Faculty of Medicine, he rose through the ranks to hold top ministerial positions, leaving a significant legacy within Guinea's healthcare system.
His professional career began in the hospital setting, where he specialized in infectious diseases, earning respect as a professor in the field. His expertise and dedication led him to become the Deputy Director General of Donka National Hospital, one of the most important healthcare institutions in the country.
Political Career
Dr. Lamah's journey was not limited to the medical sector. His competence and commitment propelled him into the political sphere, where he held several key ministerial positions. Before being appointed Minister of Health, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he later relinquished to François Lonseny Fall.
On May 26, 2018, President Alpha Condé appointed him as State Minister and Minister of Health, succeeding Dr. Abdourahamane Diallo. His official inauguration took place on June 1, 2018, during a handover ceremony presided over by the Secretary General of the Government, Maître Sékou Kissing Camara. He served in this role until November 2019, when he was succeeded by Remy Lamah.
Vision for Guinea's Healthcare System
Upon assuming the role of Minister of Health, Dr. Lamah clearly outlined his priorities for improving Guinea's healthcare system. While recognizing the progress made by his predecessors, he identified several significant challenges to address.
His priorities were organized around seven main pillars:
- Strengthening epidemiological surveillance and emergency response management
- Implementing performance contracts across all levels of the healthcare system
- Reinforcing the Central Pharmacy of Guinea (PCG) to combat the illegal drug market
- Establishing stricter inspection of the healthcare sector
- Strictly enforcing the moratorium on staff transfers to the capital
- Operationalizing professional health organizations
- Developing community health, particularly in support of women
Fighting Epidemics
Dr. Lamah's expertise in infectious diseases and his commitment to combating epidemics were particularly notable. In 2014, during the Ebola outbreak, he confirmed that the virus had already been present in Guinea in 1982, a fact documented by a scientific study published in the Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique in 1987.
This revelation surprised President Alpha Condé, who criticized him for not having alerted authorities earlier to the potential risk. However, Dr. Lamah asserted that he had raised awareness of the virus's presence in Guinea as early as 1990.
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he also took a strong stance against the illegal sale of medications. On April 15, 2019, he issued a decisive order banning the unauthorized practice of pharmacy and demanded the immediate closure of pharmaceutical shops run by non-professionals. Additionally, he established a specialized enforcement unit called "Médicrime" to combat this issue.
Sectoral Achievements
On May 13, 2019, during a press conference, Dr. Lamah presented an overview of the achievements in the health sector since 2011. Notable progress included:
- The construction of 38 Epidemiological Treatment Centers (CTEPI) to prepare for emergency situations
- The creation of 8 regional and 38 prefectural alert and response teams against epidemics
- Free emergency obstetric and neonatal care (SONU) nationwide
- A significant increase in the health budget, from 81 billion Guinean francs (2.27% of the national budget) in 2011 to 1,325 billion (7.41%) in 2018
- The recruitment of 4,200 new healthcare workers, increasing the workforce from 8,823 to 12,377 agents
Challenges and Perspectives
Despite these achievements, Dr. Lamah acknowledged that Guinea's healthcare sector still faced major challenges, including:
- Limited community participation in managing health issues
- Insufficient standardized healthcare infrastructure
- A shortage of qualified healthcare professionals
- The need to regulate health professions
- The proliferation of private structures and the illegal drug market
To address these challenges, he outlined a future strategy based on seven key areas: health governance reform, public health promotion, community health development, improved healthcare services, strengthened human resources, anti-corruption measures, and stricter control of the illicit drug market.
Legacy of a Dedicated Public Health Advocate
The passing of Dr. Édouard Niankoye Lamah on March 18, 2025, marks the loss of a significant figure in Guinea's public health sector. His commitment to improving the healthcare system, his fight against epidemics and counterfeit medications, and his vision for equitable healthcare access form a valuable legacy for future generations.
His exemplary journey from a specialized physician to a State Minister is a testament to his tireless dedication to serving the Guinean population and addressing the country's pressing health challenges.
