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Photo of Mabel Namubuya Nangami

, PhD

Associate Professor, Health Policy and Health Systems Management

Moi University

Photo of Yvonne Opanga

, MSc, MGB Candidate

Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa; Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health

Amref International University

Photo of Kuol Maper Alier

Master Scholar

Moi University, University of Toronto

Photo of Harriet Tunu Baraka

Master Scholar

Amref International University, University of Toronto

Photo of Kennedy Owino Ojowi

Master Scholar

Moi University, University of Toronto

(Head, Health Systems Management)

Amref International University

Photo of Jackie Sitienei

, MPH, PhD Candidate

Lecturer, School of Public Health, Health Policy, Management and Human Nutrition Department; Consultant, Population Health, AMPATH Program

Moi University

Photo of Asmaa Habini Balagha

Master Scholar

Amref International University, University of Toronto

Photo of Caroline Mbindyo

CEO, Amref Health Innovation

Amref International University

Photo of Dancan Irungu

, PhD

Dean, Graduate School and Director of Enterprises

Amref International University

Profile

Mabel Namubuya Nangami, PhD

Associate Professor, Health Policy and Health Systems Management

Moi University

Mabel Namubuya Nangami is a distinguished researcher, trainer, and curriculum expert, with over 30 years of extensive experience in teaching and research work. She is currently an Associate Professor in health policy and health systems management and the Dean of the School of Public Health at Moi University. She has facilitated JAS 4 seminar under the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) doctoral program. As a trainer, she has consulted for the Ministry of Health-Kenya on the Leadership and Management support program under Management Sciences for Health to train in Health Systems Management; designed curriculum and manuals on Monitoring and Evaluation of Pillar 1 (HIV & AIDS); and middle-level managers and policymakers in health systems management under the Collaborative project between AMREF & MU. She consulted for the Institute of Health Policy Management and Research (IHPMR) on operations research under the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) for improving Service Delivery in Reproductive Health.

Mabel has been involved in undertaking situation analyses of Human Resources for Health training institutions and their networks in Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on Health Systems Management activities, and conducted the evaluation of community health programs for Amref Health Africa and the Kenya Red Cross, among others. She has been a Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI on several grants and published research on HIV & AIDS, maternal and child health in areas with a policy and health system focus, as well as curriculum development in various areas of public health. She served as deputy project lead and co-Investigator on the NACOSTI/IDRC funded 1st Health Systems Research Chair awarded to Prof. Fabian Esamai at Moi University in 2014-2020, titled: A System Approach to Improving Maternal and Child Health Care Delivery in Kenya: Innovations at the Community Level and Primary Care Facilities. She was also a Co-Principal Investigator for the Cross Border Health Access project (which focuses on HIV&AIDS, delivery, and immunization services) funded by MRC/WELCOME TRUST and awarded to Makerere University in 2018-2020. Currently, she is working as a Co-PI with Prof. Constance Tenge on building the capacity of select counties to prevent Sickle cell disease (SCD) towards building a national registry for SCD and collaborating with the University of Toronto to set up a center of Excellence in health systems strengthening through a primary health care approach towards achieving Universal Health Coverage for devolved health units in Kenya.

Email Address
mabel.nangami@mu.ac.ke
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Kenya
Profile

Yvonne Opanga, MSc, MGB Candidate

Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa; Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health

Amref International University

Ms. Yvonne Opanga is a Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa and also contributes to the training of healthcare workforce in her capacity as an Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health.

She is the secretary of the Amref Ethics and Scientific Review Committee, where she coordinates the activities of the IRB secretariat. She is a public health researcher with more than 12 years’ experience in implementation research, Impact evaluations, health systems research, and Bioethics.

Ms. Opanga has a keen interest in research that addresses emerging trends across the health system continuum in the context of Primary Healthcare. Her aim is to drive research that contributes to effective corrective measures addressing Contextual and systemic disparities, including operation bottlenecks affecting the functionality of Primary Health Care Systems in vulnerable contexts in Kenya.

Ms. Opanga has participated as a co-investigator in more than 20 studies and published 19+ publications in local and international peer-reviewed journals. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics, a Master of Science in Public Health, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics (Research, Public Health, and Clinical Ethics), and she is currently pursuing a Masters in Global Bioethics with Anahuac University Mexico (Universidad Anáhuac).

Email Address
yvonne.opanga@amref.org
Country
Kenya
Profile

Kuol Maper Alier

Master Scholar

Moi University

My name is Kuol Maper Alier from South Sudan. I am deeply honored to be a scholar of the Mastercard Scholarship program at the esteemed University of Toronto, currently pursuing Executive Master of Health Informatics program. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for this invaluable opportunity, enriching my education and connecting me with a community dedicated to global positive change. 

I am energized by the prospect of spearheading the development and implementation of a digital health system in South Sudan. This endeavor holds the potential to alleviate the burden of chronic diseases, elevating overall healthcare access and quality. My aspiration is to leverage my education and experiences, collaborating with healthcare stakeholders and technology experts to create a sustainable solution to advancing digital health systems in South Sudan.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Kenya
Programs
Master of Health informatics Executive (EMHI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Harriet Tunu Baraka

Master Scholar

Amref International University

My name is Harriet Tunu Baraka from Kenya, and I am a Mastercard Foundation scholar pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the esteemed University of Toronto. 

I got the award through my former school, Amref International University and this transformative journey has been incredible. The Mastercard Foundation team has been very supportive, and my transition to Canada has been seamless. This journey will not only equip me with the necessary leadership skills for the healthcare industry, but it will also make me expand my network and create lasting memories. I am very grateful.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Kenya
Programs
Master of Health Administration (MHSc)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Kennedy Owino Ojowi

Master Scholar

Moi University

I am grateful for the opportunity to study health informatics as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Toronto.

This life-changing experience has challenged me to reach my full potential and has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most inspiring, intelligent, and supportive people in the world. I am confident that the experiences and relationships that I am building as a Mastercard Scholar will help me make a positive impact on the health system.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Kenya
Programs
Master of Health informatics Executive (EMHI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Francis Namisi

(Head, Health Systems Management)

Amref International University

Email Address
francis.namisi@amref.ac.ke
Country
Kenya
Profile

Jackie Sitienei, MPH, PhD Candidate

Lecturer, School of Public Health, Health Policy, Management and Human Nutrition Department; Consultant, Population Health, AMPATH Program

Moi University

Jackline Sitienei is a Lecturer, from Moi University, School of Public Health, Health Policy, Management and Human Nutrition Department, and a Consultant, Population Health, in Academic Model Providing Access to Health Care (AMPATH) Program.

Her work entails teaching, research and Community service. Jackline is a PhD Candidate, University of the Witwatersrand, have an MPH (UNSW), MSc International Research Ethics (Moi U). Jackline had previously worked in the health sector as a nurse manager, then Clinical Administrator in AMPATH program before joining Moi. Her research interests include health systems research, population health, community engagement, governance primary health care, biomedical research ethics and TB/HIV. Jackline has several publications in these areas.

Email Address
jcsitienei@gmail.com
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Kenya
Governance
HECO Pillar Advisory Committee
Profile

Asmaa Habini Balagha

Master Scholar

Amref International University

As a Mastercard scholar at the University of Toronto, I value the opportunities given to me and the exposure that the institution is giving me, in order to grow in the profession of health administration, improve my expertise and develop networks that will help me in my professional career hence making me be a better health administrator in the health care industry.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Kenya
Programs
Master of Health Administration (MHSc)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Caroline Mbindyo

CEO, Amref Health Innovation

Amref International University

Ms. Mbindyo is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amref Health Innovations.

She is an experienced leader at the intersection of digital innovation, global health, and international development. She has extensive experience in driving complex program deployments in multiple countries, scaling innovations, and developing new business opportunities through innovative financing models in emerging markets. She has over fifteen (15) years of experience running and growing entrepreneurial ventures in the non-profit and commercial space, implementing access programs, and deploying innovative approaches for profit, purpose, and sustainability. Ms. Mbindyo is a Board Member of D-Tree and Qhala and is on the Advisory Board of Analytics for a Better World.

Email Address
caroline.mbindyo@amref.org
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Kenya
Governance
HEMP Pillar Advisory Commitee
Profile

Dancan Irungu, PhD

Dean, Graduate School and Director of Enterprises

Amref International University

Dr. Dancan Irungu is the Dean Graduate School and Director of Enterprises at Amref International University.

He holds a BED (Business & Mathematics) an MA in Project Management & Planning and a Doctorate in Business Administration and Management. He is a scholar and an expert in Entrepreneurship, Corporate strategy, Organizational Development (OD), and Project Management. He has been a member of think tank, technical advisor and lead consultant for projects funded by GOK, World Bank, Global Fund, UNDP, USAID and European Union.  Dancan has a passion for social economic empowerment and transformation of the youth of Africa through enterprises development. 

Email Address
Dancan.Irungu@amref.ac.ke
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Kenya
Governance
HEMP Pillar Advisory Commitee