Asthma attacks were a regular part of Chinedum Victor’s childhood, and so, he knew what it meant to struggle for breath. His parents often traveled long distances in search of rare medication; however, these experiences planted a seed that grew into a lifelong mission: making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions.
This mission has never been more urgent as according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 600 million Africans lack access to essential health services, while the World Bank estimates that 11 million people on the continent are pushed into poverty each year by out-of-pocket health expenses.
In Nigeria, the government spends less than four per cent of GDP on health, far below the global average of 10 percent. For many families, pharmacies are the first and only point of care, with McKinsey reporting that over 60 percent of Nigerian patients begin their healthcare journey at the community pharmacy.
It is this gap between need and access that Chinedum has dedicated his career to closing. According to him, “Nigeria’s healthcare underfunding crisis, spending less than 5 per cent of its GDP on health, is both a challenge and an opportunity. The truth is, the public sector alone cannot finance or deliver the scale of reform required. The private sector must step in not merely as a service provider, but as an ecosystem builder.”
Today, Chinedum Victor is the Chief of Staff at Purelife Health, a forward-thinking healthcare company reimagining community pharmacies as CareHub One-Minute Clinics. Under his leadership, the Purelife Health Model is transforming pharmacies into tech-enabled primary care centers that provide diagnostics, preventive education, and treatment bringing healthcare closer to underserved communities across Nigeria.
His journey began in 2016 at a small community pharmacy, where his patient-centered approach quickly distinguished him. By 2024, Chinedum had helped secure an international $100,000 grant, and played a pivotal role in scaling Purelife’s Primary Healthcare Fulfillment Center model – a blueprint designed to integrate diagnostics, medication therapy, insurance, and digital health services on a single platform. His innovative approach has already improved patient retention by nearly 50 percent while redefining how health brands build trust.
Beyond his corporate role, Chinedum is deeply engaged in community outreach. He mentors young professionals through Y.O.U.S, a mental health initiative that encourages open conversations around depression and emotional intelligence. He also advocates for aligning Nigeria’s healthcare transformation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
