Gilbert is a Ghanaian public health physician with over 27 years of extensive operational and executive experience (nationally and internationally) in designing healthcare programs, leading health care systems and organizations to enhanced performance and improved quality of care outcomes. He is adept at strengthening health systems and healthcare organisations, is competent in developing short and long-term policies and strategies, building partnerships with key stakeholders, designing/implementing health care interventions and effectively mobilising and managing resources in resource-limited environments. The competencies are applied with the singular focus towards improving on the quality of health outcomes.

Gilbert has served in leadership roles at all levels of the health system in his country, serving as a medical officer, then medical director of a district level hospital (5 yrs.), as a District Director of Health Services (1.5 yrs.) and as the Director of the National Catholic Services (NCHS) (10yrs). He went on to serve as the Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) for 5 years and recently completed a 2.5-year team as the CEO of the Korle bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, the largest national teaching and referral facility in Ghana.

Significant highlights of his career achievements include: as CEO of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital he led a whole system transformation programme that enhanced leadership’s focus and commitment towards the provision of high quality service; as Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana he raising the profile of the organisation and enhanced its influence through the establishment of strategic partnerships with government, local, and international bodies; in his role as the Director of the Department of Health of the National Catholic Health Service he optimised health service delivery by organizational restructuring and spearheading various primary and institutional programmes whiles leading the design and execution of interventions that resulted in improved under-five mortality rates and enhanced mental health services in health facilities. Gilbert has been involved in national policy and strategy development at all levels. His leadership is acknowledged to have contributed to improved health system performance at facility level by developing and implementing various performance models and tools leading to increased outputs and better outcomes. The NCS and CHAG are models of best practice in Ghana.

In sharing his expertise, Gilbert has provided consultancy services on behalf of WHO, UNDP, UNAIDS, CRS, Care International Ghana, HERA, DFID, JHUCCP, WaterAID, GIZ, R4D, WAHO, ACHAP, SECAM amongst others. His expertise has been utilised in the provision of technical assistance, to support the strengthening of the health system in Ghana as well as in Eritrea, Mozambique and Sierra Leone. He has served on international committees and working groups in the development of tools and guidelines for strengthening health systems.

Gilbert has a degree in general medicine and surgery from the School of Medical Sciences University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana and a Masters Degree in Public Health from the School of Public Health University of Ghana Legon, Ghana. He is a Organisational Development Certified Consultant and an Executive Coach. These skills sets he brings to bear in his work. Gilbert also possess professional and academic certificates in Health Systems Strengthening and Quality of care, acquired as part of his desire to remain up to date on developments in his chosen area of expertise.

Dr Buckle currently works as an independent Consultant in Health Systems Strengthening and Healthcare Quality, providing services to both government as well as local and international health organisations.  He serves as a part-time lecturer in the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana.