EMILIA VALENCE KITAMBALA
Dar es Salaam
Summary
I am a medical doctor and a research scientist affiliated with the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). My interests lie in Health Systems and Climate change and areas on Non-communicable Diseases, Infectious diseases, Reproductive and child health and nutrition. My experience includes program implementation and research on HIV, NCDs, renal diseases, Vaccination, Sexual Reproductive Health, Malaria and Climate Change. I have worked with various government and non-governmental stakeholders in addressing various health disparities and advocating for health equity, especially to vulnerable populations.
My experience in research methods, epidemiology, biostatistics and public health have been instrumental throughout my engagements. I am proficient in both quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as data analysis software including STATA and SPSS. I have experience in conducting and coordinating research projects, health interventions, organizing scientific gatherings as well as health activities such as health screening camp and outreach programs.
My passion in helping people accompanied with communication, team work, leadership, innovation, perseverance and organization skills enable me to work and deliver task deligently and timely across disciplines and in varying work environment.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
RESEARCH FELLOW
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
01.2021 - Current
- Working and mentored at the directorate in various research and training activities
- Designed and conducted research projects: Demonstrated initiative by taking ownership of research design, including proposal writing, protocol development, and ethical clearance acquisition
- Coordinated research activities: Led and managed research teams, ensuring smooth execution and data collection
- Trained research assistants: Effectively transferred knowledge and skills to junior researchers, building capacity within the team
- Ensured data quality and consistency: Implemented robust data management practices, maintaining data integrity and accuracy
- Mastered data analysis tools: Proficiently used Stata and SPSS for data processing, analysis, and model development
- Contributed to data-driven solutions: Applied statistical expertise to interpret findings and inform policy decisions
- Prepared reports and manuscripts: Effectively communicated research results through written reports and presentations
- Disseminated findings to stakeholders: Presented at academic conferences, engaging with colleagues and sharing knowledge
- Bridged research and policy: Applied research findings to address existing gaps and influence policy changes, demonstrating the practical value of research.
- Research and Program Implementation Involved (Current Research Work)
- Assessing the impact of the expanded total facility approach (TFA) on HIV-related stigma and discrimination and HIV testing, treatment and prevention outcomes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2023-2026)- A three years consortium implementation science project aimed at addressing HIV related stigma in the health facilities. The project is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates foundation involving the following countries: Zambia, Ghana, and Tanzania. Role: Monitoring and Evaluation and Program Coordinator-MUHAS
- Implementation Research on Integrated Adolescent Services to Improve HPV Vaccine Coverage (2024-2025). A GAVI funded implementation research project to improve HPV vaccination through integrated adolescent services. The implementation research is in collaboration with John Hopkins University, Ministry of Health and Jhpiego Tanzania. Role: Investigator (Junior Researcher).
- Assessing the trend and outcome of Cardiac Arrest in ICU at Muhimbili National Hospital (2024) – A research consultancy to establish evidence of ICU cardiac arrest at Muhimbili National Hospital. Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Trainer of Trainees
Ministry of Health
02.2023 - 01.2026
- Organizing Committee for the 1st NCD regional Conference and 5th Tanzania National NCD Conference in 2023
- Awarded for outstanding contribution in the organizing the NCD scientific conferences
- Organizing Committee of the 4th and 3rd Non-Communicable Disease conferences
- Working on the sub conference committee, abstracts editorial and overview of the conference preparation activities
- Organizing Committee for the 3rd, 6th Kairuki Scientific Conferences June 2021
- Worked on partners and guests for the conference and moderated the 5th Conference oral presentation session
- Organizing Committee of the 4th Regional and District Medical Officer’s National Annual General Meeting held from 14th September, September 2021 in Dodoma Tanzania
- Worked on the department of secretariat and logistics for the committee
- Responsible with venue arrangement and record keeping of the meeting discussions
- Organized mass screening for world hepatitis day at The Aga Khan hospital in association with Tanzania Medical Student Association (TAMSA) 2018-2020
- Organized the book launch event for the book: Lost Compass of leadership by Yusuph Gesase, November 2019
- Regional medical screening for World Heart Day under Tanzania Cardiac Society, in Dar es Salaam, September 2018 and 2019
- Organizing committee member for the 3rdKairuki Annual Scientific Conference June 2018
- Worked as the team lead in publicity
- Organizing committee member for The Great African Caravan in Tanzania held in 2018 under YUNA Tanzania
- Worked on logistics preparation
- Organizing Committee member for World Tourism Day held in September 2018 in Tanga, region Tanzania under United Nations Chapters Tanzania
- Worked on logistics for the tourism trip
- Organized the leadership Training Outreach for Morogoro and Dar es Salaam secondary students, under YUNA Tanzania, 2017
- Worked on substantives and publicity., -NCD Training at the Southern Highland zone (30 January – 3, and Tanzania Diabetes Association
- Participated as trainer for NCDs and HIV in the ongoing NCD training program conducted nation-wide
- Mass data cleaning (July-October 2022) MDH
- Participated in data cleaning activity of the CTC-2 database at Care and Treatment Clinics (CTC) facilities in Dar es Salaam region
- Organizing National NCD conference (year 2021/2022/2023)- Ministry of Health and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Organizing committee for the National NCD conference for three years consecutively
- I have been part of the scientific committee of the organizing team responsible with collection, review and selection of abstracts, organizing conference program and itinerary
- Also, awardee for outstanding contribution in science and organizing of the NCD scientific conferences
- Field work
NCD INTEGRATION INTERN
Management and Development for Health
10.2022 - 12.2023
- Interned as focal person on the of Non-communicable Disease integration program (for hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Mental Health) among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) attending Care and Treatment Clinics in selected facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Roles and achievements:
- Strengthening NCD services at 3 pilot facilities: Led efforts in improvement of NCD screening, treatment, and care within the pilot facilities attending to more than 10000 clients, resulting in enhanced quality of care for PLHIV
- Involved in scale up NCD services to all MDH supported facilities: Facilitated the expansion of the program to all MDH supported facilities, increasing access to NCD services for PLHIV across Tanzania
- Developed initial drafts of Standard Operation of Procedures (SOPs), education guide and protocols for provision of NCD care: Created essential standard operating procedures and protocols for NCD integration and cascade of care, ensuring consistency and quality of service delivery
- Effective partnership with regional and district coordinators: Collaborated closely with NCD and AIDS coordinators on program implementation and day-to-day activities, ensuring smooth program execution
- Provided technical support to facilities: Equipped facilities with tools, equipment, and knowledge to effectively screen, treat, and manage NCDs among PLHIV
- Mentorship and training: Offered ongoing mentorship to facilities and organized training workshops for health personnel, fostering capacity building and improved NCD integration
- Managed NCD service provision and supervision: Effectively led the program at the regional level, overseeing service delivery and ensuring adherence to protocols
- Day-to-day service evaluation: Conducted regular assessments of NCD services at facilities, ensuring adherence to best practices and identifying areas for improvement
- Data analysis and reporting: Analyzed performance data and generated weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on program outcomes, including hypertension and nutritional status among PLHIV
- Evidence-based recommendations: Provided data-driven recommendations for program modifications, best practices, and lessons learned, contributing to continuous improvement.
Medical Doctor-Intern
Muhimbili National Hospital
11.2022 - 11.2023
- Interning as a front-line recipient of patients in Emergency, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and gynecology, Surgery, and Orthopedics
- Provided comprehensive medical care: Successfully managed a diverse range of patients across various departments, including OPD and inpatient settings
- Managed chronic conditions: Effectively managed HIV/AIDS patients, providing CTC, PITC, ART initiation/optimization, and PMTCT services to over 500 individuals
- Developed surgical skills: Attend, assisted and perform surgical procedures in various departments
- Performed over 10 successful caesarean sections and meticulously rendered proper pre-, intra-, and post-op care
- Also performed circumcision successful procedures to 5 pediatric male patients, Supra-Pubic Cystostomy Catheterization (SPC)
- Promoted public health: Participated in hospital outreach and medical camps, providing essential healthcare services to underserved communities
- Championed healthcare worker vaccination: Led the coordination and advocacy efforts for vaccination of all health workers, contributing to improved staff well-being and patient safety
HEALTH COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION INTERN
Management and Development for Health
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Worked as a communication intern assisting in communication and information activities of the organization
- Roles
- Produced impactful content: Developed programs’ success stories, best practices, and documentaries showcasing the organization's achievements and impact
- Boosted media presence: Secured publication of program achievements in newspapers, CDC, and BBC websites, amplifying the organization's reach and credibility
- Internal knowledge sharing: Engaged in development of communication manuals, guidelines, and tools, providing a comprehensive resource for effective communication within the organization
- Streamlined communication processes: Engaged in development of SOP handbooks for all programs and technical areas, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality control
- Enhanced brand identity: Reviewed and contributed to the development of the organization's branding and marketing tools, strengthening its visual presence and messaging
- Medical expertise integration: Provided medical/expert review of communication content, ensuring accuracy and credibility of information shared.
- My achievement included
- The production of program-specific success stories, best practice and documentaries
- Inclusion of program’s achievement published in newspapers, CDC and BBC websites and Uptake of communication manuals and guidelines by the organization
Education
M.D. - Medicine
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Dar Es Salaam12-2022
Advanced Certificate of Secondary Level of Educati - High School Level Learning
Canossa High School
Dar Es Salaam04-2017
Certificate of Secondary Level of Education (CSEE) -
Marian Girls’ Secondary School
Bagamoyo, Tanzania10-2014
Skills
- Data Analysis Management: IBM-SPSS/ STATA
- Modeling and analysis tools
- Research Electronic Data Capture: Open Data Kit (ODK)
- Covidence
- Project management
- Proposal writing
- Manuscript writing
- Event organization
- Public speaking
- Creative writing
- Voice-over art
- Script designs
Accomplishments
PUBLICATION
1. Ngowi, J.E., Munishi, C., Ndumwa, H.P., Njiro, B.J., Amani, D.E., Mboya, E.A., Mloka, D., Kikula, A.I., Balandya, E., Ruggajo, P., Kessy, A.T., Kitambala, E., Kapologwe, N., Kengia, J.T., Kiologwe, J., Ubuguyu, O., Salum, B., Kamuhabwa, A., Ramaiya, K. and Sunguya, B.F., 2023. Efforts to Address the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases Need Local Evidence and Shared Lessons from High-Burden Countries. Annals of Global Health, 89(1), p.78.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4118
2. Ndumwa, H.P., Amani, D.E., Ngowi, J.E., Njiro, B.J., Munishi, C., Mboya, E.A., Mloka, D., Kikula, A.I., Balandya, E., Ruggajo, P., Kessy, A.T., Kitambala, E., Kapologwe, N., Kengia, J.T., Kiologwe, J., Ubuguyu, O., Salum, B., Kamuhabwa, A., Ramaiya, K. and Sunguya, B.F., 2023. Mitigating the Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases through Locally Generated Evidence-Lessons from Tanzania. Annals of Global Health, 89(1), p.77.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4111
3. Amani DE, Ndumwa HP, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Munishi C, Mboya EA, Mloka D, Kikula AI, Balandya E, Ruggajo P, Kessy AT, Kitambala E, Kapologwe N, Kengia JT, Kiologwe J, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF. National Non-Communicable Diseases Conferences- A Platform to Inform Policies and Practices in Tanzania. Annals of Global Health. 2024; 90(1): 18, 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4112
4. Njiro BJ, Ngowi JE, Ndumwa HP, Amani D, Munishi C, Mloka D, Balandya E, Rugajo P, Kessy AT, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF, Mboya EA, Kikula AI, Kitambala E, Kiologwe J, Kengia JT, Kapologwe N. Non-communicable Diseases Week: Best Practices in Addressing the NCDs Burden from Tanzania. Ann Glob Health. 2023 Dec 15;89(1):89. doi: 10.5334/aogh.4116.
5. Emilia V. Kitambala, Davis Amani, Belinda J. Njiro, Jackline Ngowi, Doreen Mloka, Yohana Mashalla and Bruno F. Sunguya. Burden and Factors Associated with Renal Dysfunction among People Living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. June 24, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v16n6p37
Awards
- Outstanding contribution to science and organizing the NCD scientific Conferences, MOH and MUHAS, 11/2023
- Natural Leadership, Canossa High School, 2017
Training
- Impact Evaluation Training Workshop, Makerere University, 09/16/24 - 10/04/24
- Mental health Data Prize capacity building, African Population and Health Research Center, 02/01/24 - 06/30/24
- Leadership and Management in Health, University of Washington, 04/03/23 - 06/18/23
- Monitoring and Evaluation in Global Health, University of Washington, 01/23/23 - 04/02/23
- Policy brief writing and dissemination, MUHAS, 10/03/22 - 10/07/22, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Communication and information training workshop, MDH, 09/01/21
- Global Community Health System (CHS) workshop, Umea’ university, MUHAS, 05/02/22 - 05/07/22, Arusha, Tanzania
- Non-Communicable diseases National Research Agenda, MOH, NIMR, 08/01/21
- 74th World Health Assembly country resolutions, 08/01/21
- Research Manuscript and Paper Writing workshop, 08/23/21 - 09/01/21
Leadership Experience
- Chairperson of the Academic Committee, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University Student Government (HKMUSA), 2021/2022
- Secretary General, Tanzania Medical Student’s Association (TAMSA), 2020/2021
- Deputy Minister of Finance, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University Student Association (HKMUSA), 2018-2019
- Assistant Chairperson, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University Student Association (HKMUSA), 2019/2020
Hobbies and Interests
- Travelling
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Guitar
- Reading
- Movies
- Music
Timeline
Trainer of Trainees
Ministry of Health
02.2023 - 01.2026
Medical Doctor-Intern
Muhimbili National Hospital
11.2022 - 11.2023
NCD INTEGRATION INTERN
Management and Development for Health
10.2022 - 12.2023
HEALTH COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION INTERN
Management and Development for Health
09.2021 - 09.2023
RESEARCH FELLOW
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
01.2021 - Current
M.D. - Medicine
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Advanced Certificate of Secondary Level of Educati - High School Level Learning
Canossa High School
Certificate of Secondary Level of Education (CSEE) -
Marian Girls’ Secondary School
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