Fall 2023 Global Programs Update | |
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Note from Dr. Koki Kinagwi
Global Programs Kenya Country Director
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Since August 2017, I have had the privilege of leading an exceptional team in Kenya and collaborating with UCSF faculty and staff to implement impactful research and training programs with our local partners. Going beyond our current work, I envision immense potential for expanding UCSF’s collaborations in Kenya, particularly in the domains of non-communicable diseases, mental health, and clinical capacity enhancement, among others. My aim is to foster stronger connections between UCSF and Kenya, utilizing our strong local presence through Global Programs. If you are interested in exploring opportunities for global health endeavors in Kenya, please reach out to me. [email protected] | |
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In July, Dr. Kinagwi presented a webinar, Research Collaboration Opportunities in Kenya, which focused on collaboration opportunities with academic institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations in Kenya. She is an exceptional resource for those who wish to develop partnerships and explore work in Kenya. | |
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Tanzania: PMTCT Assessment
Members of the GP Tanzania team recently conducted a two-month Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) cascade assessment to understand the uptake of HIV-related services among pregnant, delivering, and postpartum women.
The assessment also aimed to identify factors contributing to attrition along the cascade and assess HIV outcomes among HIV-exposed infants. The findings will fill information gaps in the antenatal care and PMTCT cascades for both HIV-negative and HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ultimately, this will provide insight into challenges faced by the program and how these impact data related to mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
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Left to right are Juma Alawi, Laurian Katengesha, Immaculata Kessy, Mtoro Mtoro, and Ritha Mboneko, who led teams of temporary data collectors in four regions of mainland Tanzania for the PMTCT Cascade assessment. | |
Data Collectors Grace Ngowi and Elyton Praxon. | |
GP-Tanzania's Ritha Mboneko with Data Collectors Rosalia Munishi and Benjamin Chikira. | |
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Kenya: BBS Survey among KP
GP Kenya is preparing for its second bio-behavioral survey (BBS) among Key Populations (KP), scheduled to start in October. The BBS survey, last completed in 2011, is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders and is led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), funded by PEPFAR through CDC-Kenya, and works together with nine county teams.
Community engagement plays a crucial role in the success of the BBS, and the office has been actively supporting the MOH and stakeholders in ensuring that the community understands the purpose and decision-making process behind the survey design.
The KP team, led by Diane Aluko, includes Grace Gaitho, who oversees overall coordination, Dr. Elphas Okango, who manages the data team, and Hellen Christine Awuoche, who provides support for Dr. Okango.
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Diane Aluko's experience and passion for the local community are unmatched! | |
Amutenya, who joined the GP Namibia team in 2021, has over 10 years of experience in program/project monitoring and evaluation, research, epidemiology, and database management. | |
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Rosamunde Amutenya: Namibia
Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Advisor Rosamunde Amutenya supports the Ministry of Health and Social Services Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Tracker program, which identifies and tracks pregnant mothers and HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants to improve program retention rates. Amutenya provides technical assistance to 14 regions with the goal of helping eliminate mother-maternal-to-child transmission of HIV.
“I believe that PTracker is the future, and with increased emphasis and strengthened implementation, it can be used for point-of-care-testing and ease the burden on healthcare workers,” said Amutenya.
Major team achievements:
- Program implementation in 330 of 370 planned sites (almost 90 percent).
- Updating the PTracker system to OpenMRS 3.0 framework (a collaborative open-source patient care system).
- Conducting routine training and refresher courses for end users.
- Development of a dashboard that enables comprehensive data analysis.
- Creation of a manual that supplements PTracker tutorial videos.
- Clearing a system backlog for continuity and effective use by all stakeholders.
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David Mugume: Uganda
Based in the GP Uganda office, David Mugume is a key member of the IGHS Health Informatics Global Hub team. He collaborates with Health Information Systems leads to ensure teams have the assistance they need to complete their work. One recent project was the successful implementation of a health information system in Tanzania, and through Mugume's efforts, over 3,000 integrated health facilities were established.
The immense pride that Mugume feels for the Tanzania team's achievement is palpable. “I am so proud of the team; this success story for me is really the biggest,” he said.
Read more about his work in the IGHS 2022 Annual Report (page 6).
Photo credit Agandy Studios.
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Jacob Musee is the newly hired Human Resources Manager. With over a decade of experience with various international organizations, including Jhpiego, World Agroforestry Centre, and Horn Relief, Musee has expertise in recruitment, employee relations, policy development, and performance management. He holds a degree in human resource management and a diploma in counseling psychology. [email protected]. | |
Wanjiru Waruiru, who has been the Director of Epidemiology and Strategic Information for 12 years, has accepted a new role as the Director of the Global Portfolio for UCSF's Center for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (CPPR). She will refine CPPR’s vision and oversee programs, projects, and expansion opportunities as well as guide research proposals and funding prospects that will expand their global portfolio. | |
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Emaculate Lemunke was hired as a
HIS Developer after working as an intern
for six months.
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Mariastella Njau was hired as Project
Support Officer.
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Saida Nyasasi was hired as a HIS Developer after working as an intern for six months. Nyasasi quickly learned a new programming language to support the Monthly Portal application, which led to her being awarded as May's Team Member of the Month while still an intern. | |
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Asma Said was hired as Recency
Technical Lead.
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IRSO Visits GP Namibia
GP team members Jane Drake and Erich Schneider, along with IRSO’s Gladys Villacorta visited the Global Programs Namibia office in June 2023. Overall goals were to check in with operations and technical staff to identify needs and ways for IRSO to better support local activities. This included advanced training on finance and management systems, receiving input from team members to identify opportunities for efficiencies, and discussing future strategies to facilitate the growth of GP in Namibia.
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Front row left to right are Jane Drake, Erich Schneider, Carmen Tobias, Ifeoma Ndozi-Okia, and Justina Shakaalela. Back row left to right are Rosamunde Amuntenya, Imogene Naruses, Kornelia Penda, Cherizaan Willemse, Esme Kisting, Coilin Nehemia, Priscilla Kahovera, and Mirjam Kayavala. Picture taken by Gladys Villacorta. | |
Global Programs, IRSO, and OSR leaders presented alongside KEMRI and IDRC at the 2023 INORMS Congress | |
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In June, Dr. Koki Kinagwi, Winona Ward (Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research), Mae Moredo (Grants Director, Office of Sponsored Research), and Joe Novotny (IRSO Director), presented "An Institution’s Spectrum of Support for International Research: From Proposal Development to Implementation and Beyond," at the 2023 International Network of Research Management Societies in Durban, South Africa.
The presentation demonstrated UCSF’s holistic support of international research and collaborations. Additional panelists included UCSF partner organizations The Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (Uganda) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
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Front row left to right are Mae Moredo, Susan Mugumya (IDRC Senior Grants Manager), and Koki Kinagwi. Back row left to right are Winona Ward and Joe Novotny. | |
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Best wishes to Dr. Jaime Sepúlveda!
After 12 years of leading IGHS, Jaime Sepúlveda, MD, DSc, MPH, stepped down as Executive Director at the end of August 2023. UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood thanked him for his service in an email to the UCSF community, and UCSF News published an article about his legacy.
Sepúlveda is the former Chair of the Global Programs Board.
Photo credit Elisabeth Fall.
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TRAINING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES | |
Created by the IRSO Office at UCSF, the Global Programs e-newsletter is a quarterly publication sent to all GP staff and selected UCSF audiences. Submit feedback or content suggestions to [email protected]. | |
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