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The PATA Linking and Learning Hub is a powerful platform and interactive space for regional collaboration, capacity building and peer-to-peer exchange across the PATA network. It is a growing online PATA network of frontline health providers, facilities and communities as well as strategic partners working to improve paediatric and adolescent HIV service delivery in sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information on PATA’s Mission and Vison, Strategic Plan, PATA Programmes, Resources, Latest News, PATA Staff and Opportunities, please visit the PATA website.

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Stepwell Brochure

Foundation for Professional Development

Short Course in Mental Health Emergencies
Short Course in the Clinical Management of Mental Health
Mental Health: a Self-help for Healthcare Professionals
Advanced Certificate in Health Management
Advanced Certificate in Management
Advanced Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation

Contacts
Malusi Ngidi, Sales Associate:
malusin@foundation.co.za

Erenia Peter Sambua

Dr Erenia Peter Sambua is a Tanzanian public health specialist and medical doctor with over a decade of experience in health programme management, monitoring, evaluation, and capacity building. Based in Dodoma, she currently works with PATA on the KULEA initiative, focusing on empowering adolescent girls and young women to build resilience and health awareness. Dr Sambua has contributed to numerous health initiatives, partnering with organisations like USAID, AMREF, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health to provide technical support and strategic guidance. Her career spans key roles in HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and tuberculosis, including her work as Regional Program Manager for the USAID-funded TUNAJALI programme, where she led efforts to strengthen HIV services across Dodoma. She has a Master’s in Public Health from Maastricht University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Dar es Salaam. A skilled communicator in both Swahili and English, Dr Sambua is known for her proficiency in stakeholder engagement and her dedication to improving health outcomes in Tanzania through training, mentorship, and local capacity building.

Emiliana Kimario

Emiliana Kimario is a dedicated Community Adolescent Treatment Supporter based in Ilala District. With over two years of experience, she has been instrumental in providing support to adolescents and young people within health facilities and communities. Her work focuses on improving health outcomes, offering guidance, and fostering a supportive environment for young individuals living with HIV. Emiliana’s commitment and passion for her role have made a significant impact on the lives of many, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to thrive. She is also benefiting as a beneficiary and a young mother.

Phinehas Mussai

Phinehas Mussai is a dedicated Programs Officer at REPSSI Tanzania, actively involved in various projects that promote Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in the region over 8 years. Through the READY project, Phinehas supports Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS) and Young Mentor Mothers (YMMs), working closely with Healthcare Providers (HCPs) to achieve significant milestones. These include an impressive 97% average viral load suppression, zero mother-to-child transmission among young mothers, and increased attendance at READY Health facilities. His efforts in MHPSS training have also contributed to making these facilities more youth-friendly. Phinehas is passionate about supporting Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV (A&YPLHIV) and is committed to the global campaign to end AIDS by 2030.

Godpower Omoregie

Godpower Omoregie, is an International Public Health and Human Development Expert and has undergone several short courses in Management and Leadership Development (University of Westminster, London, UK.), Programme Performance Based Budgeting System (Washington DC, USA.), Diploma: Health System Strengthening (Israel), Training in Monitoring and Evaluation of Population, Health, and Nutrition Programmes (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA), Quantitative Analysis (Population Services International (PSI), Washington DC, USA).

Godpower was the Chair Technical and Scientific Committee of the 2024 Nigeria HIV prevention Conference. He is currently the Executive Lead of LAYAMEN Limited, a Leading Health and Human Development Consultancy outfit. He is currently an International Consultant working with various organizations including Civil Society Institute for Health, in West and Central Africa, working in Ghana, Sierra-Leone and the Human Capital Development Plus. In addition, he is the National Technical Consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, and other Local Non-Governmental Organizations including EVA, YouthRISE and NYNETHA. Over the past 27 years he has actively participated and contributed to the design, implementation, and evaluation of complex public health, human and social development programmes funded by major donors, including the Global Fund, USAID, FCDO, World Bank, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNITAID and ViiV-Healthcare. He has presented and published over 30 papers both locally and internationally on HIV, Sexually and Reproductive Health (SRH) and infectious diseases.

Henry Kop

Bio coming soon

Eleen Ekanem

Chinyere Eleen Ekanem is a qualified medical doctor with over a decade of experience in Nigeria’s public health sector. She specialises in designing and managing community health initiatives, focusing on vulnerable populations. Chinyere has worked on government and donor-funded projects, including those supported by the Global Fund, USAID, and the US CDC. Her expertise spans public health program management, clinical care, health system strengthening, and humanitarian aid. Currently, she serves as a DSD Technical Advisor, leading Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) initiatives within Nigeria’s National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCP).

Sbongile Nkosi

Sbongile Nkosi is the Co-Executive Director of The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), a leader passionate about innovation and creating impactful solutions that improve lives. With a background in journalism, advocacy, and management, she has played a pivotal role in movement building and has held strategic leadership positions within media and health-focused civil society organisations. Sbongile is dedicated to addressing issues in the Global South, bringing her expertise to health and social justice reporting in South Africa’s mainstream media. She also provides thought leadership, moderates panel discussions on health systems, organisational culture, and growth, and is known for her strengths in strategic development, operations management, and stakeholder engagement, particularly in civil society governance and development journalism.

Chengetai Dziwa

Chengetai has 15 years of experience working in the non-profit sector shaping and driving evidence, measurement and evaluation of programmes on adolescents, children and young people. Currently, he is a Senior Advisor: M&E with Frontline AIDS supporting a multi-country interventions in East, Southern and Northern Africa. Previously, Chengetai was a Senior Technical Officer – Monitoring and Evaluation for FHI360 supporting the implementation of the Zimbabwe HIV Care and Treatment Project.

Fanny Epie

Fanny Epie is a Program Manager for the Children Momentum Project funded by ViiV Healthcare. She has taken up several roles in the fight against HIV both at facility and community levels. She’s very passionate and particular about youth involvement and participation, especially vulnerable groups.

Dan Lolê

Dan Lolê is a Senior Programme Manager in Monitoring & Evaluation at PATA. He has 15 years of experience in programme management, Monitoring & Evaluation and he is an accomplished public health specialist. His specialties are; Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Building, Health Policy, and Research. Dan has strong analytical skills with experience using various analytics tools and systems. He has worked in Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa for various youth programmes and is committed to doing what’s right for kids!

Abigail Dreyer

Abigail Dreyer is the Head of Learning, Influence, and Networking at PATA, with over 14 years in medical education and a strong background in building strategic partnerships to drive social change. Her work connects diverse stakeholders—including non-profits, government agencies, and private sector organisations—to address pressing social issues by mobilising resources, advocating for policy changes, and implementing community-driven solutions, particularly in underserved communities. Previously, at the University of Witwatersrand’s Faculty of Health Sciences, she taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supporting interprofessional learning. Abigail holds an MPH from the University of the Western Cape, an Advanced Diploma in Adult Education, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education & Leadership, and is completing her PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand on decentralised training for medical students. She is also an honorary lecturer at the Universities of Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch and a fellow of the Sub-Saharan African FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) and the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

Wankumbu Simukonda

Wankumbu Simukonda is the Field Technical Advisor for PATA in Zambia, with over six years of experience in advocacy and health promotion, focusing on adolescent SRHR, HIV, and social behaviour change. Previously, he served as a Program Officer at Copper Rose Zambia, implementing projects on youth care and safe reproductive health. He also worked with the University of Zambia HIV response team, leveraging his public relations skills to strengthen stakeholder relationships and enhance youth-friendly health services. Wankumbu holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a certificate in diplomatic practice from the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and is pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies.

Teles Nhanombe

Dr Teles Nhanombe is the Country Representative for PATA in Mozambique. With over six years of experience in HIV and AIDS programmes, he focuses on advancing the 95-95-95 goals, reducing stigma, and eliminating HIV. His expertise spans HIV testing, linkage to care, ART monitoring, and STI and TB screening, as well as quality assurance and programme design. Dr Nhanombe is also a provincial ART Committee member, with interests in public health, sexual and reproductive health, and advocating for the rights of young people and key populations.

Prof Nadia A. Sam-Agudu

Prof Nadia A. Sam-Agudu is a paediatrician working for the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, where she is also Associate Professor of Paediatrics in Immunology and Infectious Diseases. She is stationed full-time in Nigeria, where she serves as the Senior Technical Advisor for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria in Abuja.

Prof Sam-Agudu graduated from Mayo Clinic Medical School in 2002, and completed her training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota, USA. Her research focuses on infectious diseases of public health importance among African children, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and COVID-19.

Prof Sam-Agudu has research experience in Ghana, Uganda and particularly in Nigeria, where she has provided technical and policy-making support for HIV programs since 2010. Her research interest is in using implementation science methods to generate evidence for sustainable HIV prevention and control among children and adolescents. To this end, she has to date served as Principal Investigator, Project Director or Mentor for projects supported by the World Health Organization, the US National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the International AIDS Society.

Prof Sam-Agudu is a member of the NIH/Fogarty Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA) and leads the Central and West Africa Implementation Science Alliance (CAWISA).

Margaret Mbugua

Margaret Mbugua is the Technical Advisor for You(th) Care at PATA, bringing over 10 years of experience in policy advocacy, health programming, resource mobilisation, and gender mainstreaming within the non-governmental sector. She has previously worked with organisations such as Echo Network Africa, HERAF, KANCO, and the Alliance Regional Technical Support Hub for East & Southern Africa, providing technical support in HIV, SRHR, and youth programming, as well as organisational development. Margaret’s experience includes leading capacity assessments, offering technical assistance, and designing programmes across thematic areas such as Health Rights, HIV/AIDS, Gender, and Economic Empowerment. She has secured funding from key donors including USAID, DFID, and the Global Fund and has international experience supporting projects across East and Southern Africa.

Ange Fouakeng

Ange Fouakeng is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in project-based work focused on human rights and combating social and gender inequalities. She has collaborated with human rights funds, international NGOs, local initiatives, and public-private partnerships, bringing expertise in institutional strengthening, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and program management. Her multilingual skills and intercultural sensitivity have enabled her to work effectively in diverse settings. Ange’s consistent commitment to defending human rights and addressing inequalities highlights her ability to mobilise resources and drive impactful social change.

Dr Joseph Murungu

Dr Joseph Murungu is a medical doctor with postgraduate training in public health, serving as the Senior Technical Consultant for Ubuntu with Pangaea in Zimbabwe. He is an ex officio board member and sits on the technical advisory board, bringing extensive experience in the design, implementation, management, coordination, and monitoring of public health programmes that contribute to responsive health systems.

Yesaya Kasililika Mwasubila

Dr Yesaya Kasililika Mwasubila serves as the City Medical Officer of Health at the Ministry of Health in Tanzania. In this capacity, he oversees public health initiatives and medical services within the city, ensuring the implementation of health policies and programmes that promote the well-being of the urban population. His role involves coordinating healthcare services, managing disease prevention strategies, and addressing public health challenges to enhance the overall health standards of the community.

Puri González Díaz

Puri González Díaz is a medical doctor and an Internal Medicine Specialist with postgraduate studies in HIV&Viral Hepatitis. Dr González has over 10 years of experience in supporting HIV programs in several sub-Saharan countries with a focus on advanced HIV and related diseases, PMTCT and HIV paediatrics.

Vera Yensila Yilareng

Yensila Vera is a dedicated healthcare provider from Bamenda in the North West region of Cameroon, passionate about supporting children both as a mother and a healthcare provider. As the regional focal person for children and adolescents living with HIV, she works as a counsellor and nurse, helping them manage their treatment routines while maintaining a balanced life beyond medication. Yensila has served as a psychosocial agent, actively working to eradicate stigma through home visits and by facilitating community ART groups. Her primary focus is to improve the well-being of children living with HIV, overseeing regional support activities, ensuring support groups are conducted effectively, and closely monitoring those with opportunistic infections, especially malnutrition. Caring for children with HIV is her greatest priority and daily commitment.

Fileuka Ngakongwa

Dr Fileuka Ngakongwa has valuable experiences in Adolescent and Youth mental health through her clinical practice, research, teaching, and consultancy in improving the services in the country.
Fileuka has an interest in strengthening integrated mental health services in primary care facilities for adolescents and youth living with HIV.

Lesley Gittings

Dr Lesley Gittings is a community-engaged health equity researcher focused on social and structural factors shaping health across the life course. Her research addresses social determinants of HIV and sexual and reproductive health, alongside participatory and art-based approaches for youth empowerment and well-being, employing culturally grounded, strengths-based methods rooted in social justice. She is currently an investigator on studies in Southern and Eastern Africa and Canada, working with adolescents and youth populations who face social, structural, and environmental barriers to health equity, including adolescents living with HIV in South Africa, climate-affected youth in Kenya, refugee youth in Uganda, Indigenous and Northern youth in the Northwest Territories, and youth experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Dr. Gittings was also the lead researcher in the PATA Face of Care research over the last two years.

Lusungu Harawa

Lusungu Harawa is an enthusiastic advocate for HIV, SRHR, and meaningful youth participation, with experience working with youth, adolescents, and communities. She is an Advocacy for HIV Cure Fellow for 2024 and is passionate about empowerment, project management, and resilience. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a focus on Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation.

Dr Angela Mushavi

Dr Angela Mushavi is the National PMTCT and Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, providing technical leadership and guidance for the expansion of PMTCT and Pediatric HIV and AIDS care and treatment programs in Zimbabwe. She is involved in policy and guideline development at national and international levels, and is a member of the WHO ARV Guideline Development Group.

Since January of 2010, she has been leading the work on elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis in Zimbabwe. Dr Mushavi is currently chair of the WHO Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) that reviews applications by countries wishing to be recognized as having attained criteria for validation of dual elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Prior to joining the MOHCC in 2010, Dr Angela Mushavi worked as PMTCT Technical Advisor to the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services. She also managed a large paediatric ART clinic in Windhoek, providing care and treatment to HIV positive children and adolescents. A paediatrician and a strong advocate for the care of children affected by HIV and AIDS, Dr Mushavi is a steering committee member of the African Network for the Care of Children Affected by HIV (ANECCA).

Siphephile Nyathi

Siphephile Nyathi is a General Nurse from United Bulawayo Hospitals who later obtained a Midwifery Diploma in 2014 from Mpilo Central Hospital. She has been practicing as a nurse since January 2003 and currently serves as the Sister in Charge at the Opportunistic Infection Clinic at United Bulawayo Hospitals. She finds joy in working with people of all ages and values building personal connections. This approach has significantly contributed to her professional growth, allowing her to effectively assess and address the unique needs of those she serves.

Gugu Shabangu

Mrs Gugu Shabangu is a Chief Director for HIV and AIDS & STIs in the National Department of Health. Her portfolio includes providing strategic direction in the management of HIV and AIDS and STI’s amongst others.

Lusaka Declaration Images

HIV Impact Network for Vertical Transmission Elimination (HIVE)

The Face of Care: Illustrating the priorities and challenges of frontline healthcare providers in delivering HIV services to children, adolescents and youth in Africa

This art exhibit is a visual report of findings from research on the experiences and perspectives of 801 frontline providers in the paediatric-adolescent HIV response in Africa. At the PATA 2022 Summit participants shared priorities and challenges in delivering paediatric-adolescent HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SHR) services. Participants included nurses, doctors, peer supporters, community health workers, psychosocial support workers and community partners, ministry of health officials and programme implementers from 12 African countries, namely Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

This research addresses a critical knowledge gap on the challenges, priorities and needs of frontline providers, who are the face of paediatric-adolescent HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa. We aim to support frontline providers to feel seen and heard, and to offer key programmatic and policy insights into the factors that influence and inhibit conducive service provision environments for frontline providers and those they serve. Thank you to the frontline providers who so generously shared their time and expertise.

Read More

PATA REAL Poster
IMPAACT4HIV

The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiatives (REPSSI)

The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiatives (REPSSI) is a renowned pan African organisation that has been providing holistic psychosocial care and support to girls, boys and the youth in East and Southern Africa. The organisation was founded in 2002.

Our programmes are spread across 13 countries and aim to respond to the psychosocial, mental health and social protection needs of children and families affected by: HIV and AIDS, conflict, poverty and social strife. Programmes are delivered through partnerships with regional bodies, national governments and non-governmental organisations.

REPSSI is renowned for the development of high quality, evidence-informed psychosocial support tools and resources, which are used globally within programmes and services for children, youth, families and communities.

Through our programmes, children and youth who enjoy psychosocial and mental wellbeing are able to thrive, respond to life’s shocks and challenges and find opportunities in a complex and fast-changing world.

EmPowering Girls
The Journey of Life
A Psychosocial Support Toolkit for Social Workers
Tree of Life
Catalogue of REPSSI resources

Y+ Global

We have a clear mandate to continue to represent the voice of young people living with HIV across the globe. The world will not end the HIV epidemic without us.

Mission
To mobilise young people living with HIV around the world to promote our right to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Vision
All young people living with HIV enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.

Values

  1. We challenge inequality and prejudice.
  2. We collaborate to reach our goals.
  3. We are bold and brave.
  4. We are accountable to each other.
  5. We are diverse and inclusive.

Y+ Global | Who We Are

Meaningful Youth Engagement & Youth Leadership in the HIV Response
AIDS 2024 Youth Declaration
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
LGBTQ+ Rights

RIATT-ESA Exhibition

Pathways to Inclusion: Shaping Policies and Protection for Adolescents Living with HIV

This exhibition by RIATT-ESA highlights key studies addressing the stigma and discrimination faced by migrant adolescents living with HIV, social protection mechanisms, and policy reviews on age of consent in the ESA region. Through sharing materials such as fliers, pens, and lanyards, the exhibition promotes collaboration and advocacy for responsive policies, aiming to improve the lives of adolescents living with HIV. The display emphasizes the need for transformative change and strengthened partnerships across sectors.

www.riatt-esa.org

RIATT-ESA to Provide Vital Support to the Global Alliance’s Regional Hub for Eastern and Southern Africa
RIATT-ESA Forum Report 2024
Compendium of Promising Practices

Copper Rose Zambia

Copper Rose Zambia

Copper Rose Zambia is an organisation that works to deliver a world where Adolescent’s Sexual Reproductive Health is made a priority. The organisation first started as a mentorship program to pair 1st year students with senior students at The Copperbelt University. Later, the founders realised there was a huge gap in Sexual and Reproductive Health especially in adolescents. Menstrual hygiene was one of the avenues identified to be lacking and least explored by organisations. Eventually, the team did door-to-door fundraising at their respective university campuses and raised ZMK3000.00 (300.00USD), which was used for the first outreach program at Makeni Konga Basic School.

The organisation was established in order to give young people a platform to make a difference. Its founders believe that young people are NOT leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today. Menstrual hygiene, Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness and Service provision is considered imperative for the development of any nation because of its cross cutting impacts on economic growth and development.

Youth Engagement
Copper Rose Annual Report

Zoë-Life

Zoë-Life is focused on bringing wholeness to children, youth and families

Innovating Solutions since 2004
From its beginnings as a responder to the HIV crisis, Zoë-Life has grown into a vibrant social innovation consultancy, creating impactful solutions with a global reach.
Now, we are a centre of innovation, expanding our influence beyond South Africa. Our path is defined by collaboration, technological progress, and an unwavering dedication to empowering communities and future leaders.

Pioneers in Child-Centred HIV Care
We believe in nurturing resilience in children, paving the way for a future of strength and adaptability. As pioneers, we introduced child-centred care into HIV programmes for children and adolescents in South Africa.
Our efforts span innovative interventions in primary health facilities and communities, resource development, disclosure guidelines, and extensive training and mentoring for healthcare workers delivering HIV care to children.

Zoë-Life – Building Resilient Futures

Contacts
Nokuthula Heath: nokuthula@zoe-life.co.za

Banner Grassrootsoccer

Connecting Young People with Life-Saving Health Information & Services Through Sport

Grassroot Soccer is an adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to equip young people with the life-saving information, services, and mentorship they need to live healthier lives.

Adolescents are being left behind in the fight against disease and other critical health challenges. Unlike childhood mortality which has improved 80% in the past 50 years, adolescent mortality hasn’t budged. Preventable diseases like HIV, and complications from pregnancies continue to be the leading causes of death among adolescents. There is a tremendous opportunity to improve the world’s health by promoting healthy practices during adolescence, and taking steps to better protect young people from health risks.

www.grassrootsoccer.org

Partnerships
Mind SKILLZ Curriculum
More than a Game
Realizing the Dream of a Healthier Future for Adolescent Girls and Young Women
Building a Winning Team to Promote Art Adherence and Comprehensive Health and Well-being Among Youth Living with HIV

Contacts
Mbulelo Malotana: Managing Director: mmalotana@grassrootsoccer.org
Sibulele Mancayi: Snr Program Manager: smancayi@grassrootsoccer.org
Keaobaka Babuseng: Program Coordinator: kbabuseng@grassrootsoccer.org
Kwanele Dube: SKILLZ Coach: qbaloyi@grassrootsoccer.org
Queen Baloyi: SKILLZ Coach: kdube@grassrootsoccer.org

Anova exhibit

Anova Health Institute

Anova Health Institute is an NGO that empowers people and changes lives. Good health and quality of life motivate us to provide healthcare solutions and support for those who need it most. Supporting the South African Department of Health to improve care for children and adolescents living with HIV is one of our key priorities. We strive to ensure delivery of quality care for this group through technical support and by bolstering service delivery at health facilities and communities.

Don’t Leave the Children Behind poster
Dreams poster
Lift Up Pull Up banner
Optimised Screening Tool
OVC referral job aid poster

Contacts
https://anovahealth.co.za
Facebook: AnovaHealthSA
LinkedIn: Anova Health Institute

Dr Jackie Dunlop: dunlop@anovahealth.co.za
Dr Carol Tait: tait@anovahealth.co.za

Immaculate Oliech

Immaculate is a Senior Programs Manager at Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa, where she is responsible for managing different programs within the organisation. She is motivated to be an advocate for the voiceless and vulnerable girls and boys in the community through working with policy makers to provide required services.  

Immaculate graduated with a master’s in social development and has vast experience in SRH policy and legal environment.

Sharifah Nalugo

Sharifah Nalugo is a peer supporter at The Joint Clinical Research Centre in Uganda. She also represents peer supporters in East Africa on the PATA board, as part of the Youth Advisory Panel. Sharifah is passionate about fighting HIV stigma & discrimination and supporting young people to adhere to their treatment. Sharifah has been implementing the ABCD programme for young mothers and uses every opportunity to educate, inspire, support, and motivate young mothers and YPLHIV. In 2014, her work as a role model was recognized by the Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV, which crowned her the winner of its annual beauty pageant.  

Thabang Masangane

Thabang is the PATA Country Representative in Eswatini and a double qualified nurse with additional studies in Development Studies and Total Quality Management. He is currently the Head of the Quality Management Programme at the Eswatini Government’s Ministry of Health. Thabang has extensive experience in nursing, supporting children, adolescents, and young people living with HIV to start and stay on treatment, and implementing quality management and improvement models. His expertise also includes health systems strengthening, integration of HIV/SRHR/PSS, education and training in quality care, community development, partnership building, and advocacy. He has contributed to the development of health standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including the Eswatini Adolescent Youth Friendly Health Service Package, and provides technical assistance to health providers in Quality Improvement planning. Thabang is driven by a passion for improving outcomes through innovation and data-driven performance enhancement.

Tabisa Silere Maqetseba

Tabisa Silere-Maqetseba joined PATA as the South African Country Representative on 1 June 2024. She is an experienced clinician, specialising in HIV services and quality improvement strategies. Tabisa has worked at all levels of government care, including local clinics, hospitals, and district, provincial, national, and global collaborations. She has served on multiple Technical Working Teams (TWGs) at provincial and national levels, often chairing these teams and stakeholder committees. Tabisa represents PATA on the National TWG for the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030. She has authored numerous publications, policies, guidelines, and SOPs related to paediatric and adolescent HIV care. With over 13 years of experience in administration, programme, and project management, she brings valuable expertise to PATA’s work.

Phumlile Gina

Phumlile Gina is a dedicated Head Nurse at Silele Clinic. She also implements a project that aims to support orphaned and vulnerable children affected or infected by HIV in Silele. Currently, she continues to lead initiatives that promote awareness and support for vulnerable populations.

Phakamani Moyo

Phakamani is the Communications Assistant and Youth Advisory Panel Coordinator at PATA. Phakamani is a Youth Ambassador for youth-friendly HIV service delivery for the International AIDS Society (IAS), he is also a PEPFAR award-winning hero for his contributions to the HIV response in Zimbabwe. With nine years of experience championing SRHR demand creation, Phakamani has been dedicated to improving access to SRHR services for AYPLHIV across Zimbabwe. He recently graduated with a diploma in psychosocial counselling and from the Advocacy for Cure Academy and is a co-author of the Young People’s Lusaka Declaration, calling for accelerated access to long-acting antiviral drugs.

Peggy Kuchocha

Peggy Kuchocha is a qualified, experienced medical professional with vast experience in sexual reproductive health programs and HIV management. Working at Zvandiri, an Organisation which connects children and young people living with HIV to ensure health, happiness and hope.

Monalisa Akintole

Monalisa Akintole is a human rights activist. She has worked extensively on issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender identity, and sexual orientation. She has been instrumental in amplifying voices of marginalized LGBTQI persons within the broader human rights utopia, and she is also part of the Vibrant Young Voices as a consortium advisor.

Lindiwe Letsoalo

Lindiwe Letsoalo is a VTP Technical Advisor at Anova Health Institute with over 11 years’ experience in the Maternal and Child Health program. She holds a qualification as a Clinical Nurse Practitioner. An individual dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV.

Khensani Eulenda

Khensani Honwana is a VTP TA from Anova Health Institute. She is a professional nurse who specialised in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatology, Education, Management and Behavioural Studies (HIV and AIDS).

Jaqueline Mushi

Jaqueline Mushi is the Technical Advisor for PATA in Tanzania, bringing over 11 years of experience in health programme design and delivery. She has extensive experience working with injecting drug users and individuals affected by HIV, with direct engagement in supporting children, women, adolescents, and young people. Recently, Jaqueline joined Team PATA as the Country Representative for Tanzania, leading the READY and Breakthrough Partnership programmes. Previously, she served as a Technical Advisor with GIZ BACKUP Health, aiding partners in effective use of Global Fund resources, and played a key role in Civil Society Organisation and key population engagement within the Country Coordination Mechanism. Her background also includes work with REPSSI and TACOSODE, and with Médecins du Monde on harm reduction. Jaqueline holds a BA in Sociology from St. Augustine University of Tanzania and is a trained counsellor passionate about community engagement.

Itumeleng Komanyane

Itumeleng Komanyane is an accomplished International Gender & Development expert committed to advancing gender justice, human rights, and health. She is the Programmes Lead at Frontline AIDS.

Heleen Soeters

Heleen is a Senior Programmes Manager at PATA, focusing on the READY programme. She has worked in the field of paediatric and adolescent HIV/AIDS since 2012. She holds two MSc degrees: one in Neuroscience from the University of Amsterdam, and the other in Management, Policy Analysis, and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Science, specialising in International Public Health, from VU University in the Netherlands.

Grace Ngulube

Grace Ngulube is a community healthcare worker, founder of Youth Health Connect360, and serves as a member of the Global Fund Youth Council, PATA Youth Advisory Group, and as a Her Voice Fund Ambassador for Malawi. A dedicated advocate for SRHR, Grace is a peer supporter and trainer in SRHR and a social worker by profession. She is committed to empowering youth in health and rights, using her platform to promote impactful change in her community and beyond.

Friddah Mahlangu

Friddah is Senior Program Manager at WitsRHI supporting Tshwane District. She holds a master’s degree in public health with extensive experience in PMTCT, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health programs.

Edinah Masiyiwa

Edinah is the Executive Director for Women’s Action Group (WAG). Edinah has over the years designed, developed and managed complex programs on SGBV, SRHR, and has engaged traditional leadership and communities on harmful cultural practices.

Dr Vanessa Fozao

Dr Vanessa is the PATA Country Representative for Cameroon and a passionate health professional with over four years of experience in HIV/AIDS. She has been actively involved in healthcare outreach through community programmes, believing in bringing healthcare closer to the people. In her previous role with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, she served as the Regional Technical Supervisor for Continuity of Treatment and the Regional Focal Person for Paediatric Activities in the Northwest region, mentoring 37 health facilities and over 300 healthcare providers. Despite sociopolitical crises, Dr Vanessa reached hard-to-reach communities and helped establish support groups that improved retention rates to over 90%. She holds multiple certifications in clinical HIV management, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and epidemiology. Dr Vanessa is committed to ensuring children, adolescents, and young adults have equal access to healthcare and the necessary information to make informed health decisions. Beyond healthcare, she engages the community through creative writing and public speaking to inspire positive change.

Dr Shaffiq Essajee

Dr Shaffiq Essajee is the Deputy Chief of UNICEF’s global HIV/AIDS programmes. He is a clinician, scientist, and public health specialist with over 20 years of experience caring for children with HIV in New York and his native Kenya. He previously served as a Medical Officer for the World Health Organization in Geneva, specialising in the prevention and treatment of children with HIV, and as Senior Medical Advisor to the Clinton Health Access Initiative, where he led the paediatric treatment programme. Dr Essajee graduated from Oxford University Medical School, holds a Master of Arts in Oriental Studies from Cambridge University, and trained in Paediatrics at the University of California in San Francisco. He also has an honorary faculty appointment at New York University in the Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease.

Dr Priscilla Tsondai

Dr. Tsondai is the Technical Lead of the Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education & Research (CIPHER), the paediatric and adolescent programme of IAS – the International AIDS Society. A medical doctor by training, she holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Cape Town. Dr. Tsondai previously worked at Panagora Group as the Technical Support Services’ Deputy Chief of Party and at the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research as a Research Officer.

Dr Patrick Oyaro

Dr Patrick Oyaro is the Chief of Party for the USAID Stawisha Pwani project, led by LVCT Health. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Health Innovations Kenya and the Director of Family AIDS Care and Education Service (FACES) Kenya. Dr Oyaro is a medical doctor and public health specialist, advocating for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH). He drives these causes through programme implementation, translating evidence-based research, and using social media and music as educational platforms. Dr Oyaro also serves on the PATA Board of Directors and contributes to PATA’s theme song, highlighting his commitment to advancing healthcare and advocacy in HIV and SRH.

Dr Nelson Mahulo

Dr Nelson Mahulo is a public health specialist with 9 years of experience in programmatic, research and clinical management of HIV/TB in Uganda.

Dr Natasha Davies

Dr Natasha Davies is an HIV Clinician with over 20 years of experience within the South African ART programme. She sits on the National DoH ART, Vertical Transmission, PrEP and Third Line ART Guidelines Committees. Her clinical and public health focus is supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women living with, or at risk of acquiring, HIV, including those with non-suppression and/or AHD.

Dr Nandita Sugandhi

Dr Nandita Sugandhi is a dedicated paediatrician with a distinguished career in HIV care and treatment programmes. She has made significant contributions on the frontlines of the paediatric HIV epidemic in Eswatini, Botswana, Tanzania, and New York. Dr Sugandhi’s extensive experience also includes working with organisations such as the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and ICAP at Columbia University. She recently joined the WHO as a Medical Officer and Paediatric Lead in the Department of HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs in Geneva Switzerland but plans to maintain a strong partnership with PATA.

Dr Morkor Newman Owiredu

Dr. Morkor Newman Owiredu is a Medical officer, leading the work on elimination of mother to child transmission and women’s health in HIV within the Treatment and Care team of the Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI programs at the WHO in Geneva. Dr Owiredu is currently promoting Triple Elimination Initiative for EMTCT of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus.

Dr Mercia Elisa

Dr Mércia Matsinhe is a paediatrician and paediatric/Adolescent HIV Focal Point at Mozambique’s National STI, HIV/AIDS Control Program. She has extensive experience in pediatric tuberculosis, working on research projects and as a Pediatric Advisor for USAID Mozambique. Dr. Matsinhe is a member of key MoH technical working groups and a Pediatric Chest X-ray Trainer. Her main interests are infectious diseases and maternal and child health.

Dr Margret Elang

Dr Margret Elang, a medical doctor and public health specialist, stands as a passionate advocate for adolescents and young people, particularly those living with HIV and key affected populations. With a career spanning over a decade, she has dedicated herself to the advocacy and implementation of SRHR programs, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance management. Her expertise encompasses program design and delivery of integrated HIV and sexual reproductive health projects, coupled with capacity development for health promotion and service delivery. Currently, Dr Elang serves as the PATA Country Representative in Uganda, contributing her valuable insights and experience to the Breakthrough Partnership.

Dr Ehimen Etiobhio

Dr Etiobhio Ehimen is a passionate doctor, interested in children and adolescents living with HIV in Nigeria. He has contributed to the developments of various policy documents & guidelines.

Dr Egas Alberto Assane

Dr Egas Assane is an experienced general practitioner with over 10 years of providing medical care in Mozambique. He currently works with PATA as a Field Technical Advisor for the KULEA project in Nampula Province, Mozambique. Dr Assane’s career has been dedicated to curative and preventive medical assistance, including his work with Médecins Sans Frontières in Cabo Delgado Province, where he supported medical coordination in response to the effects of armed conflict. He has also worked within Mozambique’s public health system, serving as District Supervisor for HIV, TB, and Malaria programmes, while supporting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Family Planning programmes. Additionally, he has served as the Director of a healthcare facility. Dr Assane graduated from the Catholic University of Mozambique, where he was recognised as the top student in his region, and he excelled in the medical technician course at the Chimoio Health Science Institute in 2010. He is passionate about strengthening and monitoring health programmes in both healthcare facilities and communities, always striving to improve care for the population.

Dr Christina Laurenzi

Dr Christina Laurenzi is a senior researcher at the Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University and an early career researcher at the Accelerate Hub at the University of Cape Town. Her work focuses on building evidence for interventions in areas including adolescent mental health, resilience, and wellbeing for young people.

Dr Charmaine Khudzie

Dr Charmaine Khudzie Mlambo is PATA’s Senior Programme Manager, bringing 10 years of experience in developing, managing, and implementing multidisciplinary health projects. She earned her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, where her research was the first to identify genotypic characteristics of multi-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Johannesburg, also investigating treatment outcomes in Gauteng. Since returning to Eswatini in 2010, Khudzie has worked with organisations like ICAP, URC, and CHAI. She led the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS), the first population-based HIV incidence survey in Eswatini, and contributed to the MaxART programme, which supported the adoption of the Test & Start policy in 2016.

Dr Abilito Pintainho

Abilito Pintainho is a medical doctor and project manager at N’weti Mozambique, leading the Kusingata project. He has extensive experience in both clinical and community paediatric HIV. With over 10 years of experience in HIV, TB, and SRHR, Abilito now focuses on supporting communities to demand quality health services, including through community-led monitoring.

Dennis Adoa

Dennis Adoa is a dedicated public health specialist with over a decade of experience in adolescent programming, specialising in paediatric and adolescent HIV. He has recognised the critical importance of tailored research interventions aimed at adolescents to achieve the UNAIDS global target of eradicating HIV by 2030. Within the Ministry of Health, he leads the coordination of the YAPS programme, a cornerstone of peer-to-peer psychosocial support for adolescents and young people living with HIV in Uganda. Adoa serves as a co-principal investigator in the National YAPS Evaluation and previously held the position of principal investigator in the Adolescent Psychosocial Attrition Assessment Study (APARA), funded by ELMA philanthropists through the Clinton Health Access Initiative. APARA aims to develop a predictive tool for adolescent attrition from HIV care, with its findings set to influence national policies on adolescent care in Uganda. He has also collaborated on studies such as the ART Optimization study and has been a key participant in organising the Paediatric and Adolescent Learning Collaborative for Africa (PAHLCA) since 2021. Adoa is currently involved in the planning of PAHLCA 2025, set to be held in Windhoek, Namibia.

Casco Mubanga

Casco S. Mubanga is the Technical Advisor for You(th) Care at PATA, bringing over 10 years of experience in advocacy, community health, and SRHR, with a focus on adolescents and young people. A public health scientist with a Master’s in Project Management and in the final stage of completing an MBA, Casco is passionate about community health services and innovative approaches that promote SRHR and HIV prevention. Prior to joining PATA in 2022, he served as an advisor for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and ICAP at Columbia University and worked as Project Manager at Zambia Community Health Initiative (ZCHI). Casco’s expertise includes project management, quality improvement, proposal writing, capacity building, and strategic planning. He is dedicated to gender and social inclusion, empowering underprivileged communities to make informed health decisions.

Bahati Haule

Bahati Thomas Haule is an advocate and changemaker from Tanzania and is passionate about addressing pressing challenges and advancing the rights and well-being of people living with HIV, women, youth, and marginalised communities. She has served as a coordinator for Tanzania’s ICW country chapter (Dignity and Wellbeing for Women living with HIV in Tanzania), a CAB Country Representative at Afrocab Treatment Access Partnership and a community expert in different institutions, where she led and supervised multiple projects aimed at empowering communities. She is an AVAC fellow, a community champion for the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030 and a community representative at the Tanzania AIDS Commission, Medicines Patent Pool, and Unitaid Communities delegation.

Aveneni Mangombe

Aveneni is a social scientist with expertise as a social worker and demographer, specialising in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights policy, programming, advocacy, and research with a focus on adolescents and youth. He has worked with organisations such as Deseret International Foundation, The Bethany Project, and Africare in operational research and monitoring for child protection and health programmes. Aveneni joined the Ministry of Health and Child Care in 2006 through UNFPA and has been working with PATA since 2016 through the READY+ Initiative. He also manages the Adolescent Wellbeing Professional Development Programme and serves on several advisory and scientific committees related to adolescent health.

Anna Yakusik

Anna Yakusik works in the Data for Impact department of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). She holds MSc and MBA degrees and is a postgraduate student at Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine. Anna’s work focuses on maternal, newborn, and child health, and she is a member of the Reference Group on Paediatric Estimates, convened by UNAIDS. She also leads the monitoring and evaluation working group of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030. Anna has participated in various research projects on HIV epidemiology, monitoring and evaluation, health economics, and implementation research across sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Asia, as well as on global-level initiatives. She supported the development of the evidence-based 2025 AIDS Integration targets. Before joining UNAIDS in 2013, Anna worked with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNDP, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and GRM International/The Palladium Group. 

Luann Hatane

Luann Hatane is Executive Director at PATA and has a background in social work and a Master’s degree in development studies. She has extensive experience in leadership roles within national and regional organisations, serving as a program manager, capacity builder, rights defender, and civil society advocate. She is committed to improving access for all to comprehensive prevention, treatment, and care services. Luann is known for her efforts and passion in strengthening the voice of frontline healthcare providers, and supporting effective clinic-community collaboration for a more impactful HIV response in Africa.