Laurian Katengesha

Routine responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and coordination for strategic information initiatives in Tanzania, focusing on health information systems, data quality, data use, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Enhance routine data analysis and utilization by providing technical assistance to improve informatics applications and systems, guiding the Health Information System (HIS) and data quality team in reviewing and analyzing key HIV program indicators across different data systems.
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategy to enhance the quality of PMTCT and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) data in Tanzania.
• Support the routine monitoring of the DREAMS initiative, including developing and maintaining the DREAMS Performance Dashboard (DAMES) used by implementing partners and US government agencies.
• Develop materials for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), data quality checks, and assessment activities, including quantitative and qualitative questionnaires, informed consent documents, and quality assurance checklists.
• Offer expertise in HIV and AIDS programming to guide impactful data analyses and develop informatics products that inform programming decisions.
• Provide expertise in indicator and dashboard development, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development, and visualizations, bringing programmatic context to Global Programs' work.
• Offer expert technical assistance and capacity building to national and local partners in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of HIV interventions and program monitoring

Projects

• PMTCT Cascade assessment in Tanzania 2023 : I led a mixed-method study assessing the PMTCT cascade in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, and Mbeya to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and lessons learned from PMTCT intervention implementation in Tanzania. My responsibilities encompassed protocol development, obtaining ethical clearance, recruiting research assistants, managing field activities and budget, as well as report writing and dissemination
• Early registration of HIV-exposed infants (HEI) :I led development and coordinated implementation of national strategies to identify and register HIV exposed infants,this included developing guideline,training guides and training of trainers
• LIFT UP Targeted and Enhanced Pediatric Identification (TEPI): Led development of TEPI dashboard and reporting system that automatically generate core indicator for TEPI initiative from existing electronic system
• DREAM Auxiliary Monitoring and Evaluation system (DAMES) :Led development of Screening,OVC and DATIM export module in DAMES dashboard

• Coordinated and supervised the implementation of the DREAMS (Adolescent Girls and Young Women's HIV prevention program) monitoring and evaluation framework. Evaluated program progress aligned with the HIV prevention needs of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
• Provided technical leadership to the Global Programs in-country team and a team of software developers in the rollout of DAMES (DREAM Auxiliary Monitoring and Evaluation system).
• Oversaw the aggregation and visualization of DREAMS data across PEPFAR Implementing Partners (IPs), ensuring data accuracy and completeness. Collaborated with technical teams to develop effective visualization methods, streamlining data management processes, and enhancing stakeholders' decision-making capabilities using the DAMES dashboard.
• Offered comprehensive technical leadership throughout the entire lifecycle of the DAMES mobile application. This included designing the application to meet program-specific requirements, supervising its development process, ensuring successful deployment, and maintaining functionality over time while addressing end-user needs.
• Tracked data issues or challenges associated with the DAMES system. This entailed closely monitoring system performance, identifying discrepancies or anomalies in the data, and promptly resolving them to uphold the integrity and accuracy of the collected and analyzed information.

Clinical Service Support

• Provided clinical and strategic leadership across various domains of public health, encompassing PMTCT services, HIV care and treatment, TB/HIV, Quality Improvement, Laboratory Support, Supply Chain Management, and HIV community services.
• Enhanced the capacity of district/Regional health teams in delivering HIV/AIDS services and conducting comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of implementation.
• Developed detailed work plans and closely monitored the execution of planned activities, budgets, and progress towards target achievements. This entailed tracking task completion, ensuring budget adherence, and regularly evaluating progress towards established objectives.
• Directed and facilitated supportive supervision and mentorship programs for healthcare facilities, organizing regular visits, providing guidance, technical assistance, and ensuring adherence to standards and protocols.
• Oversaw the implementation of quality improvement initiatives and facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions to boost the capacity and performance of healthcare teams.

Strategic Information Support

• Provided strategic leadership in overseeing the implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities across various sectors, including HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, TB, gender-based violence, and HIV prevention services. This involved developing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks, designing data collection tools, analyzing data, and utilizing findings to inform programmatic decisions and enhance service delivery.
• Offered technical assistance to improve both national and district Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems across diverse healthcare domains, such as care and treatment, TB/HIV, community-based care, and PMTCT. Collaborated with stakeholders to assess existing systems, identify areas for enhancement, and implement strategies to strengthen data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
• Led capacity-building initiatives for district health management teams and facility staff to establish responsive data systems for HIV/AIDS care and treatment. Provided training on data collection methodologies, ensured data accuracy and completeness, implemented management protocols, and promoted data-driven decision-making, resulting in a sustainable infrastructure for service delivery.
• Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across supported health facilities. Collaborated with facility teams to identify best practices, drafted tailored SOPs, conducted staff training, and ensured adherence through ongoing monitoring. Provided continuous support to enhance standardization and efficiency in healthcare practices.
• Enabled the utilization of reports at the site and district levels for program planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, facilitating informed decision-making and effective resource allocation.

• Developed Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, procedures, tools, and methodologies to monitor progress in HIV/AIDS care and treatment, malaria, gender-based violence (GBV), family planning, and TB interventions.
• Managed a team consisting of 5 M&E officers, 9 data officers, and 54 data clerks, ensuring effective oversight of M&E activities. Assigned tasks, conducted performance evaluations, and provided support. Conducted training sessions to enhance team skills, fostering excellence and accountability. Proactively managed tasks, ensuring timely completion and program success.
• Designed and implemented outcome and process indicators, including routine information to track progress towards targets, assess the quality of services provided, and evaluate resource utilization.
• Established infrastructure and fostered an enabling environment to facilitate the documentation and reporting of quality data from program implementation.
• Led the conversion of 31 paper-based facilities into electronic sites, deploying data clerks at nearby facilities to streamline electronic data management.
• Initiated and organized weekly regional data review meetings to facilitate in-depth analysis and discussion of data trends, programmatic challenges, and successes at the regional level. These meetings served as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, identify improvement areas, and make informed decisions to optimize program performance and outcomes.
• Supervised monthly and quarterly data collection, ensuring timely reporting. Oversaw activities, verified data accuracy, addressed discrepancies, and coordinated report submission. Proactive management ensured consistent meeting of reporting obligations, enhancing programmatic functioning and organizational goals.
• Supported the development and implementation of data quality improvement plans (DQI), collaborating with stakeholders to enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
• Established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for consistent and accurate data management, conducted audits to address errors, and maintained data quality standards, ensuring reliable information for programmatic decisions and overall program success.

• Conducted comprehensive patient assessments, including medical history reviews, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose medical conditions.
• Developed individualized treatment plans based on diagnosis, incorporating evidence-based practices, patient preferences, and clinical guidelines.
• Provided ongoing monitoring and follow-up care to patients to assess treatment effectiveness,manage symptoms, and address any complications or concerns.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to optimize patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care.
• Provided tailored preventive health education to patients and their relatives, explaining key concepts in clear language. addressed questions and concerns, offering additional support as necessary. Aimed to empower individuals to make informed decisions and adopt healthy behaviors for better health outcomes

• Assessment of the Modified Beyond Bias Model with Adolescent and Youth Engagement in Songwe and Mbeya Regions,Tanzania (October 2023-February 2024): Developed study protocols, questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) guides
• Final Evaluation of the “Eliminating Worst Forms of Child Labor and Other Forms of Violence Against Children in Geita Region Tanzania, phase III” project (April 2023-August 2023) :Developed data analysis plan,report writing and presentation of findings
• Co-lead of Work Group for ''Equitable Global Health partnership(April 2023-Sept 2023): lead a working group on to develop of an overarching module on decolonizing global health and cultural humility in the context of global health
• Participants in team revising the National guideline for Management of HIV/AIDS 2024 (March 2023) :Revision of PMTCT module
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection/analysis on Multi Country study on Quality of Adolescent Voluntary Male Medical circumcisions (VMMC)-Tanzania (June -October 2014) : Served as the team leader during data collection processes.
• Description of current clinical pattern of blood use,quantification of national blood demand and estimation of national blood need study in Tanzania (May-October 2013) :Research assistant
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the crude extracts of Carisaspinarum for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and diabetes type II patients in Tanzania following a single oral administration (March 2013):Research assistant
• Mwanzo Bora Nutrition survey: A baseline Nutritional survey of under five children and women in Tanzania conducted by AFRICARE (August-October 2012) :Served as the team leader during data collection processes