Principal, Diagnostics & Laboratory Services

• Jul 2022 - Present

Diagnostics Implementation Expert

• May 2021 - Jun 2022

Founder

• Feb 2021 - Present

IMC-Africa is a Pan African consulting company based in Botswana formed to offer high impact diversified business solutions in Botswana and Africa to contribute to the global Sustainable Development drive under Agenda 2030, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union Agenda 2063. Targeting the global market and rooted on local (Botswana) ,regional (African) and global contextual knowledge ,lived experiences and expertise, IMC-Africa is a “glocal” company that pursues business projects to completion, with a drive for results, and enlisting the contribution of other experts and stakeholders through building value adding relationships and leveraging on opportunities in the following value chains: consulting and training, project management, medical services, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, equipment and sundries, clinical research organizations (CRO), procurement , logistics and supply chain management. Show less

Senior Technical Advisor

• Oct 2020 - Jan 2021

Led the grant writing for the laboratory component of the CDC-RFA-GH20-2008. Served as the project start up Senior Technical Advisor- Laboratory for the Bummhi ABLE project providing strategic and technical leadership on the planning, administration and implementation of the laboratory systems strengthening activities being implemented nationally targeting 53 laboratories. Designed the ABLE laboratory program, its implementation approach, performance parameters and prepared work plans and budget inputs. Recruited and oriented a team of 10 laboratory technical officers (3 laboratory technical advisors and 7 regional laboratory specialists) and 30 Lay Health Workers. Completed the laboratory project start up activities and initiated site activation exercises using relevant tools. Show less

Sentinel Surveillance Laboratory Officer

• Jul 2020 - Sep 2020

Supported the in-country review, adaptation and validation of the third edition of the WHO-AFRO IDSR Technical Guidelines by the Botswana Ministry of Health & Wellness. Contributed to the development of both IDSR facilitator and participant training manuals and delivery of the training of the trainers-of-trainers (TOT) and health workers. Participated in the development of the MOHW SARS-Cov-2 surveillance protocol an implementation plan. Supported the drafting of the Influenza Illness like /SARI surveillance guidelines as preparatory work for the establishment of an in-country sentinel surveillance system and enrollment into the Global Influenza Surveillance & Response System Show less

Laboratory Specialist

• Aug 2015 - Jun 2020

I worked at #BUMMHI a Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC) entity that supports the research and clinical programs of the Institute of Human Virology's #CIHEB and affiliated to #UMB. #BUMMHI is focused on helping the Government of Botswana achieve HIV Epidemic Control and this is done through sustainable technical advisory services and direct service delivery. I provided overall laboratory technical support to the #BPACE project (CDC-RFA-GH15-1504) and provided the same to #FEDISA-HIV project up to 2019 (CDC-RFA-GH15-1764) I empowered healthcare workers through training and mentorship on clinic-laboratory interface, ART clinical quality standards, continuous quality improvement and data demand and information use, through conducting site assessments to identify improvement opportunities, developing facility or department led quality improvement projects to promote ownership and institutionalize activities. The highlights of my role and projects include: 1. Training and mentoring clinical and laboratory staff on ART clinical quality standards and the HIV cascade clinic-laboratory interface which resulted in over 30% increase in Viral Load coverage in the program supported districts. 2. Co-creating registers, SOPs, process maps, algorithms, checklists and flow charts adopted and rolled out by the ART program nationally 3. Co-developing a standardized viral load appointment and follow up system, clinic specimen and result management system and viremia management system adopted and rolled out nationally. 4. Co-developing and delivering the 1st curriculum on Biosafety for Healthcare workers in 8 supported districts together with MOHW, CDC-BW, CDC-Atlanta and AFENET. 5. Contributing to the successful grant re application processes for UMB's Projects BPACE in Botswana, REACH in Tanzania and successful new grant applications for the FEDISA-HIV project in Botswana and LAPSEC Laboratory Systems Strengthening project in Mozambique Show less

Consultant

• May 2015 - Jun 2015

I spent 3 weeks observing the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic & Health Survey for the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) project on behalf of Encompass LLC as part of the Encompass Global Consultant Network. The training targeting interviewers, supervisors ,biomarkers was facilitated by colleagues from ICF, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) and the Ministry of Health & Child Care (MoHCC). I reviewed the training curriculum,interviewed participants and trainers,wrote training instructions in preparation for transitioning from Pen and Paper Interviewing (PAPI) to Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). Show less

Laboratory Logistics Officer | Laboratory Logistics Specialist | Laboratory Logistics Advisor

• Nov 2010 - Apr 2015

I served in three roles (lastly as Laboratory Logistics Advisor) under the Supply Chain Management Systems project Botswana over a period of 4.5 years I contributed to the development of the 1st National Supply Chain Strategy in 2014, and the drafting of the National Public Health Policy and Health Sector Laboratory Strategic Plans 2009-2014 and 2015-2019. Under my leadership, we conducted the 1st comprehensive forecasting and supply planning (FASP) for 1500 laboratory commodities and developed a laboratory harmonization and standardization framework for the MoHw as intervention to optimize laboratory services. As part of program management and capacity building we developed and delivered managerial and technical curricula on: Integrated Health Commodity Management System (combining laboratory and medicines logistics systems); On the Job Training & Supportive Supervision for Supply Chain activities by District Health Managers; and a TOT manual based on adult learning principles as part of a sustainability plan and transitioning the supply chain management project to the host government. Communication & Knowledge sharing. In the roles mentioned above, I co-hosted workshops and events to advance best practice knowledge-sharing. Show less

Clinical Trials Research Laboratory Technologist

• Nov 2007 - Oct 2010

Between 2007 -2010 l worked for #CDC under the HIV Prevention Research as a Clinical Trials Research Laboratory Technologist. I worked on the Botswana arm of the multi country clinical trial research on Antiretroviral Preexposure Prophylaxis for Heterosexual HIV Transmission (TDF2 study) processing study specimens, maintaining long term storage and shipping to back up and referral laboratories. Between 2007 -2010 l worked for #CDC under the HIV Prevention Research as a Clinical Trials Research Laboratory Technologist. I worked on the Botswana arm of the multi country clinical trial research on Antiretroviral Preexposure Prophylaxis for Heterosexual HIV Transmission (TDF2 study) processing study specimens, maintaining long term storage and shipping to back up and referral laboratories.

Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Jun 2006 - May 2007

Worked for the largest private laboratory in the country, performing assays in clinical chemistry, hematology, serology and immunology. I set up and manned the sample reception work area for the new main laboratory, designed and utilized preventative maintenance and QC and calibration reporting formats for the Clinical Chemistry work area. I contributed articles to the Diagnostics Update newsletter published by the organization. Worked for the largest private laboratory in the country, performing assays in clinical chemistry, hematology, serology and immunology. I set up and manned the sample reception work area for the new main laboratory, designed and utilized preventative maintenance and QC and calibration reporting formats for the Clinical Chemistry work area. I contributed articles to the Diagnostics Update newsletter published by the organization.

Resident Scientist

• Feb 2006 - Apr 2006

I spent 3 months, coordinated all laboratory activities for Gamma City Laboratories that provided laboratory testing services to the Twin Palms Clinic. The clinic a specialist immunology clinic provided immune-phenotyping , serology and haematology services. I was responsible for quality assurance programmes, developed SOPs, flowcharts,log sheets, process maps. I also identified opportunities for expanded provision of laboratory services to other clinics and laboratories resulting in new work being brought to the practice. Show less

ZDHS+ 2005 Project Laboratory Scientist

• Jun 2005 - Feb 2006

I worked as the technical team for the Zimbabwe Health and Demography Survey ZDHS+ 2005 on secondment from the MoHCC. I was responsible for the laboratory testing for the survey. I liaised with other survey staff, technical experts and ministry officials on laboratory operational support and logistics. I was involved in laboratory data collection, coding, entry, cleaning and preliminary analysis I conducted validation exercises for the Vironostika Uniform 11 plus O and the Anilabsystems EIAs for use on dry blood spot (DBS) specimens in Zimbabwe for the ZDHS+ Show less

Acting Provincial Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Nov 2004 - May 2005

I managed and coordinated the provision of diagnostic and public health laboratory services in the province. I had supervisory oversight over 13 district ad mission hospital laboratories and led a team of 28 members. I was responsible for preparation,review and presentation of quarterly and annual work plans, budgets and equipment purchase plans for the provincial laboratory I reported monthly to the Provincial Medical Director with regard to medical laboratory activities in the province and led interdepartmental liaison, representing the department on the Provincial Health Team and Hospital Management Team committees I successfully implemented the National TB Program & IUTLD recommended TB EQA programme in the province in partnership with the Provincial TB Coordinator I developed and implemented key result areas, supervision and accountability standards and filling procedures for the department. Communication & Knowledge sharing, in this role, I co-hosted workshops and events to advance best practice knowledge-sharing and the highlight was hosting and presenting at the national launch of the T-cell profile testing (CD4/8) and opportunistic infections clinic roll-out Show less

District Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Oct 2002 - Oct 2004

I worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and as the District Medical Laboratory Scientist (after 8 months) and coordinated all district laboratory services and quality assurance programmes for the 19 health facilities. In 2004 during our 6 months blended training in Field Epidemiology & Health Information Management for District Health Managers facilitated by the Italian Health Cooperation and MoHCC we experienced a malaria outbreak. I participated in the malaria outbreak management and control exercise. I was part of the team that rolled out the implementation of the Technical Guidelines for the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) at all Rural Health Centres in the district. Technical writing: I was tasked with the responsibilities to collect data, compile reports and drafting of the project proposal, plan of action writing. I co-supervised the district malaria and TB control activities with District Environmental Officer. I represented the department on the following committees District Health Team, District Hospital Management Team, Hospital Infection Control Committee, District Epidemic Preparedness and Response Team, District Staff Advisory Committee, Hospital Housing Committee. Show less