Dr. T.J. EhirimTobechukwu Justice
B.Pharm (Hons) Nig · SCM (SAMDI) · MBA (Milpark) · PhD (Wits)
Born on Palm Sunday, 10 April 1976, to Chief Livinus Ehirim and Lolo Dorathy Adaeze Ehirim of Umuele-Amazano, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. From a village classroom to two decades shaping public healthcare in South Africa, his path has been defined by service, discipline and an unshaken belief in accountable leadership.
Academic Record
A journey from Umuaka to Johannesburg, built one qualification at a time.
State Primary School, Umuaka
First School Leaving Certificate — Best Graduating Pupil
St. Augustine's Grammar School (SAGS), Nkwerre
Senior School Certificate — Best Graduating Student & Best Graduating Prefect
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
B.Pharm (Hons.), awarded February 2001
South African Management Development Institute (SAMDI)
Supply Chain Management Certification
Milpark Business School, Johannesburg
MBA
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
PhD, Medicinal Nano Chemistry
Additional Qualifications
South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) registration and Professional Examination Certificate; South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognition of his Bachelor of Pharmacy; member of the celebrated MEET research group at the University of the Witwatersrand, publishing on electrocatalysis of nanomaterials for drug and sensor development.
Work Experience
Two decades in pharmaceutical practice and public healthcare administration, from Owerri to Johannesburg.
Intern Pharmacist
2001 – 2002Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri
Ordered, received, packaged and dispensed pharmaceutical medicines while contributing to community and clinical research; graduated as best intern of the year, mentoring incoming interns and assistants.
Youth Service Pharmacist
2002 – 2003State Specialist Hospital, Ikerre-Ekiti
Managed the Ante-Natal, Ward-Service, Emergency and OPD pharmacies, and helped select appropriate medicaments for tropical and related diseases across the Ekiti metropolis.
Coordinating Pharmacist
2004Tana Road Pharmacy, Sunninghill, Johannesburg
Oversaw pharmacy assistants and staff, delivering pharmaceutical services to patients in and around the community.
Pharmacist-in-Charge, ICU & Main Warehouse
2004 – 2005Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, South Africa
Coordinated ICU pharmaceutical care and clinical regimen preparation, and ran the hospital's main pharmaceutical supply chain — reorder levels, ABC analysis and intern training.
Coordinator & Manager
2005Themba Lethu ARV Pharmacy Project
Led the design, registration and commissioning of Johannesburg's first dedicated ARV pharmacy for HIV/AIDS care, later adopted as a Gauteng pilot project.
Pharmacy HOD & Hospital Exco Member
2005 – 2006Helen Joseph Hospital, Auckland Park
Managed all professional pharmacy practice at the hospital in line with South African pharmacy law and the Gauteng Department of Health's strategic objectives; later chaired the department's Special Task Team on Quality Pharmacy Care.
Warehouse Operations Manager, Chief Pharmacist
2006 – 2009Gauteng Provincial Medical Supplies Depot
Directed receiving, storage and province-wide distribution of medical stock, standard operating procedures, and yearly stock counts for the Gauteng Department of Health.
Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management (In-bound)
2009 – 2011Gauteng Medical Supplies Depot
Directed in-bound supply chain operations, FIFO/FEFO distribution, expired-stock control and yearly distribution rosters to all public health institutions in Gauteng Province.
Procurement Authority / Buying Manager
2011 – 2016Gauteng Provincial Medical Supplies
Managed requisition, evaluation, procurement and delivery of medical and pharmaceutical supplies to over 3,000 health facilities across Gauteng Province, including leading rollout of the DSMS online inventory system.
Member, USAID/SCMS Re-Engineering TOP Team
2012 – 2013Gauteng Department of Health
Appraised and critiqued policies and operational systems at the Gauteng Medical Supplies Depot to improve health delivery and treatment outcomes province-wide.
Project Lead, CHBAH Down Referral System
2016 – 2019Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Designed and led a multi-disciplinary referral system moving stable chronic patients to lower-level clinics for monthly medication, easing pressure on Africa's largest hospital.
Manager, Pharmaceutical Services
2016 – PresentChris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Serves on the Hospital Management Committee, overseeing pharmaceutical services policy and delivery, including Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) and antibiotic stewardship programmes.
Awards, Positions & Community Service
A record of leadership that began at State Primary School and never stopped.
Best Graduating Pupil, State Primary School, Umuele-Amazano (1987)
Best Graduating Student & Best Graduating Prefect, SAGS Nkwerre (1993)
Editor-in-Chief / Head of Press, SAGS News Media, Nkwerre (1992–1993)
Public Relations Officer, PANS, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1996–1997)
Secretary-General, Nkwerre and Isu Students Association (NILGASA), UNN (1997–1999)
President, Njaba and Isu Students Association (NILGASA), UNN (1999–2000)
Director of Logistics, National Association of Imo State Students (1998–1999)
Award of Best Political Leader/Administrator of the Year, UNN Faculty of Pharmacy (2000)
See The Plan For Imo State
A lifetime in public health administration, now channelled into a founding manifesto for Imo State.
Read The Manifesto