2021 EDITION Keynote Speakers
Dr. Sabin NSANZIMANA
Minister of Health | Republic of Rwanda
Dr. Sabin NSANZIMANA
Minister of Health | Republic of Rwanda
Dr. Sabin NSANZIMANA is the Former Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre. He has extensive experience in HIV program design, strategic planning, implementation, and operational research with a focus on global care and treatment of people living with HIV.
Dr. Sabin holds a Medical Degree (MD) and a Master's Degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Rwanda; a PhD in Epidemiology from the Basel Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Dr. Sabin serves as a Fellow at the African Scientific Institute (ASI), a Fellow at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCP) and serves as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Global Health Delivery at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Kigali and teaches Epidemiology and Research Methodology at the University of Rwanda.
Dr. NGAMIJE M. Daniel, MD, MPH
Former Minister of Health | Republic of Rwanda
Dr. NGAMIJE M. Daniel, MD, MPH
Former Minister of Health | Republic of Rwanda
Dr. NGAMIJE Daniel is the Former Rwandan Minister of Health, he leads the development and execution of the Health Sector Plan. Prior to this role, In June 2018 he joined WHO Country Office as a National Programme Officer and his duties among others were to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health on the development of Malaria and NTDs policies, strategies, guidelines, standards and norms - supporting and assisting to define programme implementation modalities, and providing assistance to conduct periodical program reviews and resource mobilization.
In Feb 2007 - June 2017, he served as the Coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit which later converted into the Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), where he coordinated and supported the process of funds mobilization, grant negotiation with partners such as the Global fund, the World Bank and bilateral MOH partners in the USA, UK, and Belgium among others. Additionally, he managed an annual portfolio of approximately 150 Million USD for 10 years as well as successfully coordinated the implementation of project components and periodical disbursement of funds to several implementing agencies and institutions country wide. Finally, he set up and led an M&E system, reviewed and submitted consolidated financial and programmatic reports for approval by MOH Partners before subsequent disbursement of approved budgets.
Prior to the above as well, Dr. Ngamije held various positions at the Ministry of Health that included serving as: Coordinator of the Malaria National Program; Regional Director in Charge of Health and Social affairs in former GITARAMA Province, where he oversaw the Planning and Budgeting Process for all Health Facilities across the province. Here, one of his Health Districts piloted the Community Health Insurance (CBHI) from 1998-2002. Prior to being in managerial positions, Dr. Ngamije served as a Medical Doctor at Kabgayi Hospital from 1995-1997.
Dr. Ngamije has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery at Université de Kinshasa, DRC and a Masters of Medicine in Public Health from Université Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium.
Dr. Corneille NTIHABOSE
Head of Clinical and public Health Services Department at Ministry of Health
Dr. Corneille NTIHABOSE
Head of Clinical and public Health Services Department at Ministry of Health
Dr. Corneille NTIHABOSE is the Head of Clinical and public Health Services Department at Ministry of Health and has been working in health delivery since 2013. Prior to his current position, Dr. Ntihabose was Director General of Byumba Hospital, Senior officer in charge of the viral hepatitis treatment at Rwanda Biomedical Center, with a strong focus on scaling up Hepatitis B& C care and Treatment in a more efficient and sustainable way. He has also held leadership positions in various hospitals he worked for as Clinical Director and chair of different committees.
Dr. Ntihabose earned his medical degree in Former National University of Rwanda and did Master of public Health specialization in Epidemiology from Mount Kenya University. He has published articles and abstracts presented at both national and international conferences, as author and co-author, relating to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and global ear health and maternal & child health.
Prof. Miriam Were
Advisor to Rwanda Global Healthcare Summit
Prof. Miriam Were
Advisor to Rwanda Global Healthcare Summit
Prof. Were is a Kenyan public health advocate, academic, and recipient of the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
She is also an Advisor to Rwanda Global Healthcare Summit. Prof Were was also honored with the following awards; Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS), 2005 – Kenya. Medal of the Italian Cabinet, 2006 -Italy.
Queen Elizabeth II Gold Medal for Outstanding Contributions to International Public Health and Supporting the health needs of disadvantaged people, 2007 United Kingdom.
Légion d'honneur, Chevalier, 2008 — France.
Former France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy signed a decree conferring upon Prof Were the title of Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
The highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and retained by all later French governments and régimes.
Distinguished Career Award, 2015 – William Penn University. Oskaloosa As a graduate of William Penn College, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Prof. Were began a career with a focus on helping others. With a degree in Natural Sciences and postgraduate Diploma in Education, she taught high school chemistry and biology before medical studies.
Prof. Were qualified as a medical doctor from the University of Nairobi, and she rose to become head of the Department of Community Medicine at Nairobi's School of Medicine.
Prof. Were's studies at Johns Hopkins University led to her 1981 doctorate in Public Health, Health Planning and Management.
She has applied this training and academic background to programs focused on community-based empowerment. Her work aims to help others move towards implementing creative, effective, and self sustaining programs. Her experiences have been marshaled in encouraging community-based initiatives As a co-founder of the UZIMA Foundation and in her work with African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Prof. Were sought to put her academic training to good use.
She focused on the process of bringing basic medical services and health rights to women and children in the villages of East Africa.
Prof. Were is the current chairperson of the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) Kenya. From a position closely associated with the Office of the President, NACC coordinates the national HIV/AIDS response in Kenya.
Prof. Were is also the serving Chairperson of the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Board. In addition, she finds time to serve on the Advisory Board of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) as well as on the board of directors of Medical Assistance Programs (MAP) International (US).
Prof. Were was Director of the United Nations Population Fund Country Support Team (UNFPA/CST) for East and Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prior to that she was the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative and Chief of Mission in Ethiopia.
Before WHO, she was Chief of Health and Nutrition in UNICEF, Ethiopia. Prof. Were was recruited to UNICEF from the Department of Community Health in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Nairobi where she had become head of that department. While teaching at the University in Nairobi, she initiated the Community Based Health Care (CBHC) project in Kakamega, in Western Kenya.
Prof. Were was the Director of CBHC in the period from 1976 through 1982. This project won the UNICEF Maurice Pate Award of 1978, the first time any African institution had won this award.
Olutayo Bankole-Bolawole
Regional Director, WaterAid East Africa
Olutayo Bankole-Bolawole
Regional Director, WaterAid East Africa
Olutayo Bankole-Bolawole (popularly called Tayo) has over 28 years’ experience in organisational development within the international development and corporate sectors. She brings experience and expertise in leadership and capacity development; relationship building and conflict management; change and transition management; resource mobilization and donor contract management; strategic programme planning and policy work. Olutayo has worked at country and regional programme levels with International NGOs, in several capacities at Senior Management levels for about 20 years. Over 16 years of this was with diverse teams in West, Horn, East and Southern Africa based in Kenya and more recently in Rwanda. She is passionate about Africa and believes that catalytic change is possible on the continent, hence her firm belief in a transformative governance agenda for Africa and its allies. She is in the community of experts for the World Economic Forum on Water, Africa and Gender. Olutayo loves reading and is passionate about women and children’s rights issues; loves meeting new people and tries to ensure the workspace is a fun environment for colleagues. She is the Regional Director for East Africa and Ethiopia at WaterAid and based in Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr. Om Prasad Gautam (PhD, MPH, MA)
Senior WASH Manager – Hygiene, WaterAid, United Kingdom
Dr. Om Prasad Gautam (PhD, MPH, MA)
Senior WASH Manager – Hygiene, WaterAid, United Kingdom
Dr Om Prasad Gautam (PhD, MPH, MA) is a public health expert and behaviour change scientist with more than 21 years of work and research experiences in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, behaviour change, child health, immunization, food safety, diseases surveillance and HIV/AIDS programme. Dr Om holds PhD from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK and Two Master’s Degrees, one in Public Health and another in Social Sciences. Dr Om currently works at WaterAid UK as a Senior WASH Manager – Hygiene (global lead on hygiene behaviour change). Dr Om is passionate about the role that sustainable behaviour change programme play through WASH and health programme in human development and brings his skills to the Health and WASH sector to improve the health, hygiene and wellbeing of the poorest and vulnerable groups in low and middle-income countries. He leads SuSanA Behaviour Change Group as well.
Dirk Deprez
Resident Representative of Enabel in Rwanda
Dirk Deprez
Resident Representative of Enabel in Rwanda
Dirk Deprez is Resident Representative of the Belgian Development Agency - Enabel. He previously held the positions of Resident Representative of the Belgian Development Agency in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Palestinian Territories.
Before working as Resident Representative, Dirk was a member of the Bar Association of theProvince of Antwerp and a researcher at the University of Ghent, in the department of Non-Western Law. He joined the Belgian Development Agency as an expert and managed different justice sector support programs.
Dr. Monika Sonu
CEO Healthinnovationtoolbox, Advisor and Director to Rwanda Global Healthcare Summit
Dr. Monika Sonu
CEO Healthinnovationtoolbox, Advisor and Director to Rwanda Global Healthcare Summit
Monika Sonu is a Doctor, a Digital Health Entrepreneur, a Keynote speaker and a Researcher, with more than 13 years of experience. She is the CEO of Healthinnovationtoolbox, a global technology, innovation & a digital product design firm working towards the healthcare of the future & is based out of Bangalore.
She is exposed to working with various public and private healthcare systems, while driving operational efficiency, patient experience & digital transformation across the globe.
She helps businesses design new and engaging services, desirable digital products, and is driving innovation through the integration of emerging technologies in healthcare. Her passion for big picture thinking combined with the desire to understand and fulfil human needs allows her to be the glue between businesses, their products & services and the end users. With a focus on utilising Agile, Lean UX and Design thinking, she drives the fuzzy front ends within any given environment. Her multidisciplinary background spans design for policy, digital products, IoT, AI, service design, operations excellence, patient experience and strategy. She works closely with various Health-tech startups for Technology Enabled Care & has co-created diverse IoT & AI based digital health products & platforms along with her technology team. She is an avid researcher in the field of healthcare quality & innovation & holds a Master's degree from Cranfield University, UK and is an Alumni of IIM-K.
DHIREN R. Thakker, Ph.D.
Founding President and CEO of Med Aditus International
DHIREN R. Thakker, Ph.D.
Founding President and CEO of Med Aditus International
Dr. Thakker is Founding President and CEO of Med Aditus International, a nonprofit corporation that he launched in December of 2019 to improve availability of affordable and quality medicines to underserved populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
He is Professor Emeritus at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he served as a Distinguished Professor and administrator for nearly 24 years. Before retiring from the University on September 30, 2019, he served as interim dean of the School and interim director of the Eshelman Institute for Innovation (2017-2019), as associate dean for Global Engagement and Entrepreneurial Development (EDGE) (2009-2016), and as associate dean for Research and Graduate Education (1998-2008).
Prior to joining UNC in 1996, Dr. Thakker spent (i) eight years at Glaxo Inc. where he was director of
Drug Metabolism Department, (ii) four years at the Center for Biologics, FDA, and (iii) eight years at
the National Institutes of Health. He obtained Bachelor of Pharmacy from Bombay University, India,
M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Columbia University, New York, and Ph.D. in Biochemistry
from the University of Kansas at Lawrence.
Honors & Awards
• Inventor of the Year Award, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Distinguished Alumnus (Academic) Award, Institute of Chemical Technology (previously UDCT -
University Department of Chemical Technology), Mumbai, India.
• Sato Memorial Award, the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
• Fellow, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
Company Creation
• Med Aditus International (nonprofit) (founder)
• Qualyst (co-founder)
• Sphaera Pharma (co-founder)
• Analytical Solutions Inc (Advisor)
• Tergus Pharma (Advisor)
Board of Directors
• Med Aditus International
• Sphaera Pharma - USA
• Chesson Labs
• MBF Therapeutics
• Qualyst (previously ADMETech) (previous)
• Tergus Pharma (previous)
Scientific Advisory Boards
• Sphaera Pharma (current)
• Qualyst (previously ADMETech)
• Scios - J & J (Drug Development Advisory Board)
• Oread (Science & Technology Advisory Board)
• Navicyte
Dr. Joel M. Mubiligi
Executive Director of Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima
Dr. Joel M. Mubiligi
Executive Director of Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima
Dr. Joel Mubiligi is a passionate physician and a global health expert with an extensive experience in
healthcare delivery of more than 10 years; who has held senior management positions both in the public
and NGO sector. He is currently the Executive Director of Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima, an
international NGO that supports the Government of Rwanda in its efforts to strengthen healthcare systems.
Dr. Mubiligi also served as the Medical Advisor to the Ministry of Health’s national Human Resources for
Health program, where he supported government efforts to improve Medical training programs at the
University of Rwanda.
Dr. Mubiligi is an alumnus of the University of Rwanda Medical School, the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, and the International Program in Public Health Leadership at the University of
Washington.
Dr. Djorje Gikic
Public Health Policy and Strategy Advisor - Enabel
Dr. Djorje Gikic
Public Health Policy and Strategy Advisor - Enabel
Previous positions and experience:
Dr Gikic has a unique mix of skills including management consulting, medical expertise and technical experience at country level. As a consultant for McKinsey and company, he provided direct advice to the Cyprus National Health Insurance Agency to setup a new social insurance scheme. He also worked on health financing issues for the NHS London and private sector companies. He has worked for the World
Bank on health reform projects and for the WHO/PAHO on immunization in Jamaica. He has held Country Director positions for the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Rwanda and Pivot in Madagascar,
where he worked with the government on key health system issues. As an independent consultant, he
worked for donors, NGOs and private companies to bring solutions to country level bottlenecks in the
health system.
Areas of expertise:
Health System Strengthening (Health Financing, HRH, Governance, Health Information), Primary Care, Integrated Delivery, Immunization.
Education and degrees:
Dr Gikic holds a Medical Degree from the University of Geneva School of Medicine (Switzerland) and an
MPH from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health (Baltimore, MD). He did his residency in
Family Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital/Medstar (Baltimore, MD) and his Preventive Medicine
Residency at Johns Hopkins University.
Additional information:
Dr Gikic has spent about twelve years in Africa working closely with Ministries of Health and advising top officials on a range of health system issues and key priorities in the health sector. He served as a Global
Fund CCM member in Madagascar and currently serving in Rwanda.
Dr Jean Chrysostome Nyirinkwaya
Owner and Founder of La Croix du Sud Hospital, Kigali-Rwanda
Dr Jean Chrysostome Nyirinkwaya
Owner and Founder of La Croix du Sud Hospital, Kigali-Rwanda
Career Summary (as Gynecologist Obstetrician)
- Provide medical attention for women during menstrual periods, conception, pregnancy, birth and post-partum stages.
- Discuss with expectant mothers about reproductive health, child birth procedures, and other maternal concerns.
- Monitor reproductive health conditions and treatment progress and document findings and observations.
- Re-evaluate treatment programs as necessary.
- Assist parents to increase tolerance in labor pains.
- Determine if normal or caesarian childbirth is in order.
- Perform cesarean sections as may be needed to preserve both mother’s and baby’s health.
- Keep abreast with developments in the discipline.
- Perform many Gynecological Operations (Hysterectomy, Myomectomy…)
- Management of infertility Cases
Vincent Keunen
CEO & Founder- Andaman7
Vincent Keunen
CEO & Founder- Andaman7
Vincent Keunen has 20 years of experience in the health IT sector and has developed numerous systems in Belgium, some of which are still being used by 90% of hospitals in the country. In 2011, Vincent was recognized as national CIO of the year. Andaman7 is his third company.
When Vincent was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, and his 10 year old son was diagnosed with bone cancer 3 months later, he decided to use his software engineering skills to provide all patients with a tool to manage their health information on their smartphone: Andaman7. The tool is associated with a platform to help pharma and medical device manufacturers run clinical trials and engage patients with PRO (Patient Reported Outcomes), RWD (Real World Data) collection and virtual clinical trials.
It also includes capabilities for telemedicine, remote care, remote monitoring of patients and several other use cases. Contact: b2b@andaman7.com
Jeanne d’Arc Nyirajyambere
Director of Nutrition Programs-Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)/Feed the Future-Hinga Weze Program
Jeanne d’Arc Nyirajyambere
Director of Nutrition Programs-Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)/Feed the Future-Hinga Weze Program
More than 20 years of experience as a nurse, veteran trainer and public health professional. She has extensive experience working with the community, international NGOs and within the Rwandan Ministry of Health in both emergency and development contexts.
Specialties: Public health, Healthcare management, nursing, project management/development, community health/nutrition, teaching and training.
Dr Margaret Maulana
Executive Director Healthcare Services for Premier Services Medical Investments
Dr Margaret Maulana
Executive Director Healthcare Services for Premier Services Medical Investments
Dr Margaret Maulana is a qualified Doctor who studied MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and surgeries from University of Zimbabwe) She is currently studying a PhD in Healthcare Services Administration and has completed the following Executive Diploma in Business intelligence (Mount Carmel), Masters in leadership and management (University of Zimbabwe) andProject management Diploma (Harare Polytechnic)
Dr Maulana is currently the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES for PSMI responsible for all Operations which include; healthcare Clinics, Dental Clinics, Rehabilitation units, EMS Units, Laboratory Units, Radiology Units, Pharmacies, Optometry Units, Hospitals and Renal Units plus the newly established Integrated Medical Centres.
She has worked in a hospital administrative capacity for 10years before she was promoted to the position of Director for the same Organization managing and leading the Hospital services which included 5PSMI private hospitals, 2 Dialysis units with a total of 35 Dialysis Chairs and 9 EMRAS bases and a fleet of 30 ambulances.
She was also assigned to be a member of the Zimbabwe MOHCC COVID 19 case management pillar responsible for emergency medical services during the period of the COVID 19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
Dr Maulna is the vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Emergency Medical services for the past two years and Director of the EMRAS Training school running training in Basic First Aid, Ambulance technician, BLS, ACLS and industrial and mining health and safety courses in Zimbabwe.
Socially, she is a I am a practising medical professional and mother of two adult children. A golfer and sports administrator for women football, women rugby in Zimbabwe.
Dr. Jason Cross (PhD, JD)
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Rymedi
Dr. Jason Cross (PhD, JD)
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Rymedi
Dr. Jason Cross (PhD, JD) is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer for Rymedi, a cloud-based disease testing and treatment administration workflow management solution.. Dr. Cross' area of expertise is business model innovation focused on expanding access to high quality healthcare. He was a professor at Duke University and Founding Director of the Innovation & Technology Policy Lab where he spearheaded value-based contracting between countries and pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Dr. Cross is also Chair of the Intellectual Property Subgroup of the IEEE Blockchain in Healthcare and Life Sciences Working Group.
Dr. Akintije Simba Calliope, MBchB, Ph.D
Manager for Africa at Kishokai Medical Corporation.
Dr. Akintije Simba Calliope, MBchB, Ph.D
Manager for Africa at Kishokai Medical Corporation.
Dr. Akintije is a Rwandan Medical Doctor and Global Health Researcher, holding PhD from Nagasaki University, and with experience of more than 10 years in health sector of Rwanda as well as on international health scene. He is currently a visiting researcher of Nagasaki Institute of Tropical Medicine at Nagasaki University and he is serving a Project Manager for Africa at Kishokai Medical Corporation.
Along his studies, Dr. Akintije has acquired different and extensive knowledge with professional certificates in Health programs M&E, Health and Human Rights, Epidemiology and Health Leadership. He has also strong knowledge in international health diplomacy, conflict management, health System Management, health planning, and health project design. He has 12 years’ experience in health care services and 4 years as Director General of Hospital in Rwanda. The spirit of social justice has pushed him to be conversant with non-governmental organizations hence his services in many organizations based in Rwanda, in Uganda, in South Sudan and Japan. In all his duties, communicating his medical knowledge with communities and other stakeholders is a plus. Currently, he is serving simultaneously as Country Director of NPO TER in Rwanda.
Dr. Akintije has been on different international exchanges and fellowships programs such as at ACTV Uganda under European Union fellowship; at HURINET-Uganda under FK-Norway fellowship (currently Norecno); in the USA as, International Visitor’s Leadership Program fellow (IVLP); in Benin as African Union Youth Volunteer, among others. Dr. Akintije is a founder to many local and international initiatives being profit or not for profit like Rwanda Japan Youth Cooperation (NGO), Nagasaki Universal Health Coverage (Nagasaki-UHC) group, and business startups such as StudentMedCare Ltd and Phedex
Ltd.
He sits on boards of various international and national associations such as Rwanda Medical Association and Rwanda Medical and Dental Council, among others. He has attended many conferences where he had to present his research activities through poster or oral presentations, and he got awards such as “Award for Excellence” in The Second Business Plan Competition, Tokyo” among others. Through his pursuit in government, non-profit and volunteer work, Dr. Akintije has grown into a self-driven spirit, innovative, flexible, passionate, and unyielding development professional in multitask shape.
His future goal is to be a strong public and Global Health researcher driven by pragmatic spirit to change social life of Rwandan population and the whole Africa in general.
Samuel S. Siabnaa
Head of Health Systems Integration - Zipline
Samuel S. Siabnaa
Head of Health Systems Integration - Zipline
Samuel S. Siabnaa, Pharm. MPSG is the Head of Health Systems Integration at Zipline where he managed the integrating of Zipline with the health system in Rwanda as well as the relationship with other public health stakeholders in the country.
Prof. Wim de Villiers
Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University
Prof. Wim de Villiers
Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University
Prof Wim de Villiers is the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University and has a long history of working in higher education as a top-level administrator having been the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT, the Chief Administrative Officer at University of Kentucky College of Medicine as well as the Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Kentucky.
He is skilled in Healthcare Consulting, Clinical Research, Medical Education, Life Sciences, and Medicine. A strong education professional with a MHCM focused in Health/Health Care Administration/Management from Harvard University School of Public Health. Is a board-certified gastroenterologist with a PhD in macrophage immunology from Oxford University and has clinical and research expertise in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Dr. Krishna Murthy Venkateswaran
Founder of Sanitas Hospital
Dr. Krishna Murthy Venkateswaran
Founder of Sanitas Hospital
Murthy developed a network of super-specialized surgeons in various disciplines who shared his values and got them to visit Sanitas regularly & perform major surgeries at half the cost overseas. Patients could be with their loved ones during their most vulnerable moments enjoying their familiar environment and food. The concept caught on big time and hundreds upon hundreds of Tanzanians have undergone surgeries that may have otherwise been exported or not done at all.
Sanitas, under Murthy’s leadership, is the only hospital in Tanzania that helps people suffering from Lymphoedema lead a near normal life.
In 2017 when Sanitas suffered a major setback that resulted in the loss of 80% revenues for three years, there were no redundancies; no pay cuts; no panic. Sanitas went about further improving their services and Murthy spoke at various seminars and conferences throughout the world, sharing ideas o
Professor RAMNEEK AHLUWALIA
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HIGHER HEALTH
Professor RAMNEEK AHLUWALIA
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HIGHER HEALTH
Dr Ahluwalia a is a seasoned, trained and qualified Medical doctor MBChB with over three years post graduate training in Internal Medicine (DNB). He is a registered Medical Practitioner with the three National Medical Councils of India, Mauritius & South Africa.
To augment his management experience, he has also completed his MBA with a gold medal from University of Cape Town, where he has gained invaluable experience strengthening his existing multi-cultural work experience in four diverse countries: India, Germany, Mauritius and in South Africa.
Further he also has a PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) in Public Health, providing him with credibility towards building strong personal skills that has assisted him in leading various health organisations & projects within the above Four Diverse countries and offers a solutions and diverse expertise in handling and managing projects in both the developed and the developing world.
In his current position, he is a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HIGHER HEALTH. HIGHER HEALTH is a national entity that works on behalf of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and in partnership with Universities South Africa (USAf - the governing body for the public universities) and with the South African College of Principals Organisation (SACPO - the governing body for the Technical and Vocational Education Colleges -TVET), 26 public universities and 50 TVET colleges across South Africa. HIGHER HEALTH is dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of nearly two million students in the post-school education system. Our structures, implementing programmes, campaigns and a wide spectrum of health, wellness and psychosocial services cover over 420 campus sites, and rural, informal and urban settings across all 52 districts. The organisation achieves its goals in partnership with allied government departments, UN agencies, development agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations across South Africa. It operates through 70 district-based offices, three regional offices (based in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town) and a national office in Centurion.
He was previously the Country Director at Universities South Africa where he developed a comprehensive programme called the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS).
Dr Ahluwalia also serves on several boards of various governmental & nongovernmental strategic advisory groups.
In his own capacity, he also served as a health expert on the South African Delegation for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) Academic forum and was also nominated as a Technical expert for the writing task team for health Declaration of BRICS summit India 2012. He has written many publications and articles on health; HIV & universal access to global health care.
He is one of the Lead authors of the book ‘In search of stability, security and growth BRICS and a new world order”. He has been also the chief editor of various publications and under his direction and leadership various Governmental and Sector based Polices and Strategic Frameworks were developed, and these are current national and Sectoral policies being followed in South Africa and Africa. He has also headed various National and Sector based Research projects and provided direction and forwards to various Publications and outputs. He has addressed as a keynote speaker at many International and National Conferences, forums and symposiums across the world & actively interacts-with local and international media.
Dr. Lisa Bazzett- Matabele
Head of Obs-Gyn Department, University of Botswana.
Dr. Lisa Bazzett- Matabele
Head of Obs-Gyn Department, University of Botswana.
Dr. Bazzett-
Matabele is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with expertise in the surgical and medical
management of women diagnosed with ovarian, endometrial, cervical and vulva/vaginal
cancers and experience in developing alternative treatment strategies in resource-limited
settings.
Dr Angela Migowa
Assistant Professor and Pediatric Rheumatologist in the department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University Nairobi
Dr Angela Migowa
Assistant Professor and Pediatric Rheumatologist in the department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University Nairobi
Dr. Migowa is an Assistant Professor and Pediatric Rheumatologist in the department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University Nairobi, Kenya.
She completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at McGill University Health Centre, Montreal-Canada and holds a Masters in Paediatrics and Child Health (AKUH).
She is the Chair of the Paediatric Society of the African League Against Rheumatology Task Force Working Group (PAFLAR) which is mandate to oversee and advocate for Paediatric Rheumatology in Africa and also the National Vice Chair of the Kenya Paediatric Association.
Her interests include Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Adolescent Medicine, Leadership and Governance. She is currently a member of the PRES global taskforce and involved in collaborations with the Kenya Pediatric Association, ArthRheuma Society of Kenya, Allergy Society of Kenya, Association of Women in Rheumatology(AWIR), African League Against Rheumatism(AFLAR), Canadian Rheumatology Association(CRA), American College of Rheumatology(ACR), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), Medical Women’s International Association(MWIA) and Women Leaders in Global Health Movement(WLGH).
In order to raise awareness for pediatric rheumatology and primary immunodeficiencies, she has held several lectures and conference presentations across Africa, Europe and North America among medical students, doctors, nurses and patient support groups. She has pioneered the implementation of the first A project in Kenya aimed at raising awareness for primary immunodeficiencies in Africa. She partners with patient support groups such as International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI) and Rare Disease Society of Kenya to raise awareness and advocate for patients with rheumatological and other rare diseases.She is a certified RCUK EPLS Instructor.
Dr. Nurullah Awal
Health Advisor - WaterAid Bangladesh
Dr. Nurullah Awal
Health Advisor - WaterAid Bangladesh
Dr. Nurullah Awal is the health adviser at WaterAid Bangladesh and has been coordinating WASH and health interventions and discussions, mainly with Ministry of Health, other key partners and NGOs.
He is a member at the national technical committee on WASH at the Directorate of Health and contributed to the development of several key national documents; i.e., the strategy for WASH in HCFs, WASH guideline for Community Clinics, National Menstrual Hygiene strategy, National Cholera Control plan, etc.
Dr. Awal is also the chair of WASH working group at Global Task Force for Cholera Control, GTFCC and member of the representing team on Cholera related
discussions from WaterAid. He is also an executive committee member of the national CSA-SUN in Bangladesh.
Dr. Véronique Zinnen, MD, MPH, PhD
Intervention Manager for Maternal, Neonatal, Sexual and Reproductive Health Project - Enabel in Rwanda
Dr. Véronique Zinnen, MD, MPH, PhD
Intervention Manager for Maternal, Neonatal, Sexual and Reproductive Health Project - Enabel in Rwanda
Véronique Zinnen, MD, MPH, PhD, has more than 15 years of professional experience in Tanzania in various health projects. From there, she gained skills and knowledge in maternal and reproductive health, in-hospital management, and in health policy at the district level. Back in Belgium in 2004, she specialized in public health and then joined the “Université Catholique de Louvain” (UCL) and the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp as a researcher.
At UCL she worked on international health policy, health systems, health system strengthening, and aid effectiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa, and she was a lecturer in epidemiology and health systems. At ITM she was in charge of a research project regarding
the management of obstetric complications in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger; she was a lecturer in monitoring and evaluation, and she contributed to designing training modules in clinical audits for emergency obstetric and neonatal care. From 2016, she joined the Belgian development agency, Enabel, as a public health expert in Rwanda and she is, currently, the Intervention Manager for maternal, neonatal, sexual, and reproductive health project in 7
districts.
Cristina Stefan
Founder of the African Cancer Institute - SOUTH AFRICA
Cristina Stefan
Founder of the African Cancer Institute - SOUTH AFRICA
Cristina Stefan received her first medical degree in Romania and subsequently obtained three master’s degrees in Ppediatrics, Ooncology and Eepidemiology,
from South Africa and the UK, as well as a PhD in Mmedical Eeducation and an MBA from France.
She was head of the Ppediatric Ooncology department at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, before leading the South African Medical Research Council as the vice president. She joined Roche Diagnostics as global oncology leader in Switzerland in 2016 and in 2019 in Singapore became the oncology regional leader for Asia.
She is the founder of the African Cancer Institute and currently is the executive director the African Medical Research and Innovation Institute, and . She has authored many books on cancer. She has served as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) consultant and is the first woman elected as president of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer.
She received the title as the most influential woman in business in Africa and top 100 health leaders in Asia. With more than 25 years’ experience in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe with academic, industry, research management and leadership experience she is strongly dedicated to global oncology across the globe, promoting education, research and innovation in emerging countries on different continents.
Senait Kebede, MD(ped),MPH
Founder & president, International Health Consultancy, GA, USA
Senait Kebede, MD(ped),MPH
Founder & president, International Health Consultancy, GA, USA
Dr Senait Kebede is the Founder and President of International Health consultancy (IHC) LLC who brings over 25 years of experience in clinical, academic and public health practice. She works with international and bilateral organizations including WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, World Bank, CDC, and USAID with focus on Maternal and child health, HIV/TB, Disease Surveillance and Response and quality of care. Her international work included:
- WHO inter-country medical officer for Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) in Southern Africa
- WHO regional coordinator for 3 by 5 (WHO initiative on increasing access to Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART)
- Investment and efficiency advisor for UNAIDS, and
- Adolescent Health & HIV specialist with UNICEF in Uganda.
Currently , Dr Kebede is an Adjunct Associate Professor, Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, where she also serves as lead instructor for Antimicrobial Resistance and faculty for Clinical Community of practice COVID- 19, Africa CDC/IWD/Emory. Dr Kebede also guest lecture at Georgia State University and is a contributor for the HIV eCourse at Mayo Clinic, School of Continuous Professional Development. She also maintains a visiting Hon. Associate Professor of pediatrics status at St Paul Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), AA, Ethiopia.
Dr Kebede is a member of various global technical working groups including WHO TBTEAM - HIV/TB expert, WHO child and adolescent TB working group; and Independent Technical Expert Mechanism (PCITEM) for the WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Secretariat. She is also a Co-chair of the PSE sub-group with Child Health Task Force.
Dr. Kebede received her MD from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, with specialty in pediatrics and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University She is also Gates Strategic Leadership fellow for Reproductive Health, JHU and certified (PMI) in Project Management.
Dynamo Ndacyayisenga
Rwanda Biomedical Centre- Management of alcohol and drug use disorders
Dynamo Ndacyayisenga
Rwanda Biomedical Centre- Management of alcohol and drug use disorders
Dynamo Ndacyayisenga is a holder of BScs, MPH, he started this position at Rwanda Biomedical Centre in year 2015 with emphasize on designing, planning
and implementation of national strategies to fight against drug abuse in Rwanda with specific attention to youth and children.
He is responsible for planning and implementing mental health interventions in the community by closely working with different partners and beneficiaries at all levels in health facilities, schools, youth friendly centers and community hubs. He
also closely work with national rehabilitation services in line of prevention of drug abuse among delinquents and other vulnerable groups.
He works with Faith based organization in designing and dissemination of
sensitization messages and tools so that the messages will reach entire
community.
In line of mental health in general, Rwanda experienced genocide perpetrated
against Tutsi and many survivors experienced trauma and PTSD jot only that but
also other psychiatric complication like Depression; together with mental health
team we conduct mental health interventions during commemoration period and
We follow those people with emotional and trauma crisis.
The government of Rwanda created The inter-ministerial committee to fight
against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. This committee is under coordination of
mental health Division Management whereby we take coordination of all
activities related to the planning and implementation of national strategies to
fight against drug abuse. The security organs, local leaders and health
professionals work together to implement different activities.
As Mental health division in Rwanda Biomedical Centre coordinate all mental
health interventions in Rwanda, we conduct clinical supervision and mentorship
to the hospitals to make sure that quality of care is met at all levels from referral
to the health centres and the community.
We conduct training of health care professionals not only in mental health but
also general practitioners and General nurses in mental health to facilitate the
integration of mental health care.
We develop tools like guidelines and protocols to be used in health facilities to
make sure that quality of services is met in our health facilities
We conduct monitoring and evaluations of all programs in place in line of
rehabilitation and social reintegration of ex drug users from rehabilitation
services.
We conduct awareness campaign for mass mobilization and targeting groups of
high risks in the prevention of drug abuse and illicit trafficking of precursors.
In order to be guided by evidence based practice, I actively participate in research
and now we are implementing different recommendations from the findings. As
we are implementing mental health strategic plan IV we are conducting activities
related to child and adolescent’s mental health in a program called School based
mental health program launched in collaboration with Ministry of education. We
coordinate mental health professionals from district hospitals to assess and
support children and staff from schools.
In line of promotion of mental health activities, we design, develop, and produce
sensitization materials with mental health awareness messages and disseminate
them in the community in collaboration with community stakeholders and
community health workers.
We collaborate and engage patients in their care and other strategies related to
the mental wellbeing. We conduct media talk shows and use different platforms
to make awareness and reduce stigmatization and discrimination of mental
health patients. In line of protection we developed different policies protecting
patients with mental health problems.
We coordinate activities of different stakeholders so that their activities will be
patient centered approached.
We advocate for funds of mental health activities carried out by different
stakeholders and forum of mental health patients in Rwanda.
During this time of COVI-19 pandemic, we are closely working with all health
sector programs so that mental health should be well integrated in all offered
packages.
2. National commission for Children
In the last previous positions, I was in line of social and child protection. As from 2012
to 2015 I was working with National commission of Children (NCC) in Rwanda, I was
clinical Psychology in charge of deinstitutionalization of children (under 5 years old)
from orphanages to home based care,
I used to reintegrate children from different institutions in collaboration with UNICEF
and Global Fund.
Before reintegration we were doing child and family preparation and involvement of
social workers and community health workers to make sure that life of a baby child will
remain good. we have also linked their families with Leaders so that the child right will
be respected.
HVP-Gatagara
Before joining NCC, I was working in institution called Home de la Vierge de Pauvres
Gatagara an institution that cares about people with disability including children with
mental problems and disability.
Here I provided pre-post-surgical counseling and I was in charge of quality of health
care services. I also contributed in development of individual care plan and its
implementation. I also used to design interventions regarding children with mental
disability and cerebral palsy as most disabling problem.
RESEARCH AREA
1. Investigator on Rwanda Mental Health Survey 2018 (RMHS)
2. Investigator on Violence against children in Rwanda 2017 (VACY)
3. Participate in research coordination of Prevalence of drug abuse among youth
in Rwanda 2020
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Implementation of national mental health policy and ensure its integration at all
levels
2. Coordination of National of technical committee to fight against drug abuse and
illicit trafficking
3. Coordinate the Establishment of taskforce to fight against drug abuse and illicit
trafficking and its decentralization process
4. Coordinate mental health interventions during genocide commemoration
5. Coordinate the establishment of school based mental health program including
ant drug clubs
6. Coordinate and participate in categorization of illicit drugs and make sure they
are listed and published in ministerial order
7. Participate and coordinate different national mental health campaign and
awareness on drug abuse prevention and treatment programs
8. With a good heart and professionalism, the successful deinstitutionalization of
children in Rwanda from orphanage into home based care
9. Introduction of occupational therapy among children with mental disability and
children with special need.
Dr. Darius Gishoma
Clinical psychologist, working as Senior Lecturer in the Mental Health Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda.
Dr. Darius Gishoma
Clinical psychologist, working as Senior Lecturer in the Mental Health Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda.
Darius GISHOMA is a practicing clinical psychologist, working as Senior Lecturer in the Mental Health
Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda. He finished his Ph.D. at the Catholic University of Louvain (clinical psychology).
Darius Gishoma has a wide range of clinical experience in helping people affected by traumatic experiences
and other common mental health disorders in Rwanda. Since 2005, Darius collaborated with other
Rwandan clinicians to develop and deliver clinical interventions for people who suffer from trauma, during periods of genocide commemorations in Rwanda.
Darius Gishoma has a track record of research and associated publications in the field of mental health In
Rwanda. His primary area of research and publication is in treatment development and evaluation of Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression and Substance Abuse, Global Mental Health, maternal and
child health, behavior change, and Community-based interventions.
François-Régis Habarugira
National Technical Assistant - Enabel in Rwanda
François-Régis Habarugira
National Technical Assistant - Enabel in Rwanda
From January 2020, I am working at Enabel as National Technical Assistant, Social Scientist for BARAME project (Sexual and Reproductive Health in seven Districts of Rwanda).
My current work is related to community support with attention to Adolescent Sexual Reproductive
health/teen pregnancies, Gender-Based Violence, and Drug and substance Abuse. I also work for the self-
reliance of the community with regards to their sexual and reproductive health through social and
behavior change communication and community engagement.
Since 2007, I have been working with local and international organizations dealing with community
development by improving their access to qualitative health care with an emphasis on sexual &
Reproductive health, adolescent and youth.
Before Joining Enabel, I have been working with UNFPA as District program coordinator in Sexual
Reproductive health, Adolescent health & GBV and Population dynamics, I, therefore, contributed to
advancement of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda in Rwanda and in the Districts of the western province in particular.
Ph.D. candidate in Social Science, I am holding a Master of Arts in Development Studies, diploma in Project management, and bachelor of public health with extensive experience in Sexual and Reproductive health at a community level.
Ir. Evelyne Bocquet
Junior Expert in M&E and digitalization on the Barame project - Enabel in Rwanda
Ir. Evelyne Bocquet
Junior Expert in M&E and digitalization on the Barame project - Enabel in Rwanda
Ir. Evelyne Bocquet graduated in 2018 as a bioengineer in the Management of Forests and Natural areas from the Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (Liège University), Belgium. She is specialized in the tropical field, particularly in doing surveys with local populations, data management, and reforestation. She has always had a deep interest in health (particularly in natural and alternative approaches). Therefore, she
studied the use of medicinal plants by Mongo people in DRC in 2019. Since 2020, she is working in Rwanda for Enabel as a Junior Expert in M&E and digitalization on the Barame project, based in the
Maternal, Child and Community Health Division of RBC. She contributes, among others, to the
improvement of MCCH data quality and use.
SHYIRAMBERE Cyprien, MD,
Pediatrician and Global health advocate
SHYIRAMBERE Cyprien, MD,
Pediatrician and Global health advocate
Dr. Cyprien SHYIRAMBERE is the Burera District program Director and the director of the oncology program at Partners in Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima(PIH/IMB) where he provides both clinical care and administrative leadership at Butaro cancer center of excellence, the leading cancer center in the country, he oversees clinical programs and projects of the cancer program as well as support the Rwanda ministry of health efforts to design and implement a national cancer strategic plan and other efforts to advance cancer care in Rwanda.
He graduated from the University of Rwanda with a master's of medicine in pediatrics and child health and received pediatric cancer exposure from Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s hospital. Before joining PIH/IMB in 2014 he was a faculty and head of postgraduate training program in the department of pediatrics at the University of Rwanda wherein collaboration with human resources for Health program trained pediatricians from Rwanda and the region. Dr. Cyprien has engaged in implementation science research to examine the success and challenges facing a rural resource-limited cancer program, he is a Co PI of a number of research projects.
Dr. Cyprien won an award of best poster presentation as a young investigator awarded by Society International of Pediatric Oncology(SIOP) in Toronto, Canada in 2014.
Claire Seaward
Global Campaigns Director - WaterAid
Claire Seaward
Global Campaigns Director - WaterAid
Claire has been campaigning for over 20 years alongside disadvantaged and marginalized
communities in order to realize human rights. She has worked in development and humanitarian programs across the fields of water and sanitation, healthcare and education, climate change, livelihoods, disability rights, and refugee rights. She aims to create platforms and facilitate opportunities for people to speak out and work with communities, governments, UN agencies,
multi-sector stakeholders, and the private sector in order to achieve change. Claire has worked in
countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Claire began her career working with the UK
Disability Rights Commission then moved to Oxfam for a considerable amount of her career before
moving to WaterAid where she is currently the Global Campaigns Director.
Jean Damascene IYAMUREMYE
Public Health Professional - Biosteck
Jean Damascene IYAMUREMYE
Public Health Professional - Biosteck
Jean Damascene IYAMUREMYE holds a Ph.D. in Mental Health from the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Nancy in France. He is a practitioner in the field of Mental Health; and a public health professional with 20 years’ experience within which he gained relevant program management experience across monitoring & evaluating projects and management.
In 2006 he was awarded a Ph.D. scholarship grant from the government and joined the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. He began researching the evolution of trauma among the survivors of the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi. During his Ph.D. research program, he simultaneously managed the Rwandan Mental Health Program. Since then he is researching the trend of trauma, other mental disorders, and drug addictions in the Rwandan population, with a particular focus on Genocide survivors.
He leads training of trainers and cascade training programs of physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, community health care workers, and volunteers on mental disorders management and advises on mental health strategy. Jean Damascene is passionate about primary care.
His goal is to help clinicians deliver the best possible mental health care to individuals and communities. Acknowledged for his ability to inspire all of his colleagues to work hard with his positive attitude has contributed to the great strides made since 1994 and the future of Rwanda’s mental health care.
Vigilance and his commitment to excellence guide him daily in his leadership, He leads by example in all areas. The nurses, physicians, counselors, community health workers, and mental health educators have responded proactively and positively to his leadership. As a mental health care team, they have made enormous strides to better mental health in Rwanda.
Mr. Guy MBAYO K.
Technique Officer – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - W.H.O
Mr. Guy MBAYO K.
Technique Officer – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - W.H.O
Holder of a master's degree in environmental engineering and project management (University of Leeds - MSc. Environmental Engineering and Project Management), I facilitated several workshops and conferences serving various audiences (academics and practitioners…).
I conducted feasibility studies, design, procurement, and implementation/supervision of water and sanitation interventions, demonstrating strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making for more than 30 years of international experience in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
I provided communities, refugees, and displaced persons with emergency or development assistance, short, medium, and long-term responses through the rehabilitation of basic services in harsh areas emerging from armed conflicts as well as the construction of infrastructure (integrated community projects) managing projects of 1 to 8 million USD per year, including adaptation and mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change.
For decades now, I have explored the power of multidisciplinary delivery of public health services coupling various sectors' contributions, teams' efforts and capitalizing on leadership, technology know-how, and knowledge transfer.
Besides my experience in the private sector, I offered my polished services to several renowned organizations worldwide such as UNHCR, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), OXFAM, UNICEF, UNOPS, and WHO ...
Tidiane Diallo
Senior Regional Technical Adviser - WaterAid West Africa
Tidiane Diallo
Senior Regional Technical Adviser - WaterAid West Africa
Tidiane Diallo is a Senior Regional Technical Adviser for WaterAid West Africa, with more than 10 years and 20 years of experience as a Civil Engineer in project/program design, coordination and field practice. He has specialized in Sanitary Engineering with the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanna and in Water Services and Water Resources Management at HYDROAID through Turin Polytechnic - Italy.
As Senior Engineer, he brings extensive experience in development and humanitarian works with strong technical and managerial capacity in the private sector (Engineering Companies) and in INGO working with state technical agencies, local and national governments for policy and programme formulation and influencing. He is a positive and innovative thinker and open to challenges and new ways workings.
Mr. Mubiana Muyangwa
Head of Programmes - WaterAid , Zambia
Mr. Mubiana Muyangwa
Head of Programmes - WaterAid , Zambia
Mubiana is a development practitioner with over 15 years experience in the NGO WASH Sector. Mubiana holds an MSc in Public Health with a specialization in
Health Promotion from Leeds Beckett University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in development studies from Zambian Open University as well as a Diploma in
Forestry. Mubiana is currently undertaking Ph.D. studies with Glasgow Caledonian University researching the Role Social Innovation Plays in addressing Climate Justice in the provision of Water on a part-time basis.
Mohammed Abdul-Nashiru (Ph.D)
Development practitioner on governance and local development
Mohammed Abdul-Nashiru (Ph.D)
Development practitioner on governance and local development
Mohammed Abdul-Nashiru (Ph.D) is a development practitioner on governance and local development. He has extensive experience working with development partners at different levels especially decentralized governance structures, governments and local partner organizations covering Anglophone and Francophone countries. From 2000, he provided technical support to development partners such as CIDA, DANIDA, World Bank and UNICEF generally covering development planning, policy influencing, capacity building, modalities for engaging actors in decision making, and on issues of accountability and social justice.
Trained in social accountability tools by the World Bank in Washington, Dr. Mohammed has supported the water and sanitation sector in many African Countries and facilitated series of citizen engagement activities in West Africa. He has engaged governments, political and global leaders on issues of essential services, global commitments on MDGs, SDGs and Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership. He is presently supporting the new government of Ghana with streamlining the Sector especially prioritizing water and sanitation in institutions (healthcare centers and schools).
He also worked in post-conflict countries as part of professional commitment of supporting the rebuilding efforts in post-conflict countries – Liberia and Sierra Leone. He is the Interim Regional Director for WaterAid West Africa but his substance role is Country Director for WaterAid Ghana which has been operating in Ghana for over 30 years. He has led the implementation of WASH – Health initiatives and WASH - Education projects funded through bilateral institutions and other funding streams. Dr. Mohammed is now part of a team engaging with WHO and other governments advocating for WASH in all HCFs to improve public health especially maternal and child health.
He holds a B. A. Degree in History from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana, Legon - Ghana and a Ph.D from Walden University, USA.
Muhammed Semakula
Health Scientific Innovation Analyst - Rwanda Biomedical Center
Muhammed Semakula
Health Scientific Innovation Analyst - Rwanda Biomedical Center
Muhammed Semakula PhD(C) is health scientific Innovation analyst at Rwanda Biomedical Center. He is a senior statistician and data scientist with a strong knowledge in statistical methods, data handling and data analysis. He has extensive knowledge in designing prototype of health information systems, evidence based strategic planning and operationalization. He is a researcher in statistics methods focusing on modeling infectious diseases, concentrating on spatial and spatio-temporal models.
Muhammed Semakula holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied statistics from University of Rwanda; a master’s degree in statistics and Biostatistics from faculty of science, department mathematics and statistics at university of Hasselt in Belgium. He is PhD candidate in joint PhD program of Statistics at Center of statistics, data science institute of university of Hasselt, Belgium and PhD program in and Data Science, Biostatistics at African center of excellence in data science, at University of Rwanda.
Muhammed Semakula is a fellow of McGoldrick Program at Harvard T.H. CHAN school of public health, department of Biostatistics, university of Harvard, USA. He is a Gradstat member of Royal statistical society in United Kingdoms (UK). He is a voluntary research assistant at University of Hasselt in Belgium and co-lecturing Biostatistics, Bayesian statistics to master’s program at African center of excellence in Data science at university of Rwanda.
Patricia Monthe
CEO Founder - MEDXCARE
Patricia Monthe
CEO Founder - MEDXCARE
At the core of my human identity, l am an innovator. My brain truly vibrates for complex problems that require an uncommon journey to the solution. I am also a passionate problem solver, with a heart for problems that impact people and a keen eye for inefficiency.
Our world is full of intriguing challenges and opportunities to disrupt them! l have made it a mission to do something constructive and transformative about it.
I have been described as a visionary, with a leadership style combining cognitive pluralism and integrity, both of which make me particularly fit for environments that require pioneering new models or engaging multi-disciplinary & multicultural groups to orchestrate new systems.
Before my days as an entrepreneur committed and dedicated to the cause of bringing about solutions to the universal healthcare coverage in the world, l have held key transformation roles in global multinationals, leading Million Euros transformation projects involving the strategic alignment of the group vision/strategy and regional operations.
Ellen Greggio
WaterAid Advisor
Ellen Greggio
WaterAid Advisor
Ellen Greggio is WaterAid Advisor for WASH monitoring, supporting WaterAid countries in Africa and South Asia in their work of strengthening national monitoring processes, alignment and contribution to global SDG 6 monitoring and introducing ICT to accelerate data availability and use at national and subnational level. Supporting data use for decision making, planning and budgeting processes, with use of life cycle costing to ensure sustainability of WASH services. Recently led development of Myanmar Rural Water Supply MIS, eSwatini water MIS and developments and applications in multiple countries of a WASH specific ICT tool, mWater. With a background in environmental engineering and international experience across private and iNGO sector.
Mr. Ijeoma Emenanjo
Chief Water Resources Management - African Development Bank
Mr. Ijeoma Emenanjo
Chief Water Resources Management - African Development Bank
Mr. Ijeoma Emenanjo is Chief Water Resources Management at the African Development Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, Ijeoma was a Consulting Advisor with the United Nations, and before that he was a Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank – where he led, the design and implementation of, several analytical and investment projects in Africa, and South and East Asia. Also, as part of his work in these roles, he has provided evidence-based policy advice to Governments, Regional Economic Communities, and River Basin Organizations on: multi-sectoral investment opportunities; climate change and water security; climate-proofing transboundary water agreements; dam safety, and international waterways management.
Ijeoma holds Masters Degrees in Natural Resource Management and Public Administration from Harvard University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, respectively, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University.
Nadine Karema
Chief Informatics Officer of Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima
Nadine Karema
Chief Informatics Officer of Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima
Nadine Karema is the Chief Informatics Officer at Partners In Health/ Inshuti Mu Buzima (PIH/IMB) where she is responsible for promoting data-driven decision-making through the development of technology systems and processes for managing health-related information.
Over her eight-year career at PIH, Nadine has driven growth in the healthcare and tech industry by nurturing the next generation of informatics, overseeing the expansion of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) implementation across Rwanda, and leading research projects. Nadine currently also serves as the co-chair of the National e-Learning Committee and as PIH/IMB’s focal point in the national digital technical workgroup where she provides technical support to the team responsible for realizing MOH's vision of a fully digitized and integrated healthcare system.
Prior to joining PIH, Nadine was a healthcare Data Specialist at the University of California San Diego.
Nadine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Alliant International
University and an MBA in International Business and Organizational Leadership from the National
University (San Diego, California).