Team PATA
Members of Team PATA contribute to delivering on the mission and vision of the organisation through a culture of transparency, accountability, trust, and mutual respect. They use their competence and skills in the consistent, orderly ownership of tasks through to the delivery thereof, and PATA invests in their growth as individuals and team members.
As a small team, they leverage success through collaboration with funders, partners and stakeholders, whose satisfaction and shared success is paramount.
The Team PATA structure includes a core executive, programming and operations team, primarily located in Cape Town, South Africa, who are supported by Country Representatives and Technical Advisors located throughout the region, facilitating in-country representation, technical support, training and local programme implementation.
Gayle Northrop
President, Northrop Nonprofit Consulting
Faculty, UCLA Anderson School of Management, USA
Dr Shaffiq Essajee
Senior Advisor, HIV Section, UNICEF Programme Division, USA
Dr Patrick Oyaro
Chief Executive Officer of Health
Innovations, Kenya
Lynn Davis
Finance Director, Brave Rock Girl, South Africa
Dr Nandita Sugandhi
Product Introduction Coordinator, OPTIMIZE at ICAP, Columbia University, USA
Mthobisi Mdluli
Eswatini
Technical Advisory Panel
Dr Elvin Geng
USA
Dr Mo Archary
South Africa
Dr Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha
Nigeria
Professor Lucie Cluver
South Africa/United Kingdom
Dr Nandita Sugandhi
USA
Youth Advisory Panel (YAP)
John Zachariah
Nigeria
Ange Fouakeng Mereille
Chantal Biya Foundation,
Cameroon
Mthobisi Mdluli
Eswatini
Grace Ngulube
Zalewa Clinic, Malawi
Frank Fien
Cameroon
Moses Rutatina
Baylor, Uganda
Wilson Elsa
Mozambique
Geoffry Chisamba
Malawi
Fabian Amondi
Kenya
Healthcare Provider Advisory Panel (HAP)
Dr Abdulrahman Fofie
Nigeria
Dr Jacqueline Balungi
Uganda
Fanny Ndoh Epie
Cameroon
Marta Guiliche
Mozambique
Nedah Musonda
Zambia
Bridget Mwape
Zambia
Luann Hatane
Executive Director
Luann Hatane
Executive Director
Thandi Moyo
Head of Finance and Operations
Thandi Moyo
Head of Finance and Operations
Thandi Moyo joined PATA as the Head of Finance and Operations in October 2020. After leaving the auditing and accounting world at EY, Thandi worked for several years for Save the Children UK as a Deputy Country Director. Save the Children is one of the largest relief organisations in the world and their work focuses on orphans and vulnerable people.
Thandi then joined Leap Science and Maths Schools initially as their Finance Manager but was soon promoted to their Business Manager, a role which saw her co-ordinating the finance, administration and operations of a network of six schools across the townships in South Africa.
Thandi is very actively involved at Bishops where her two sons are in Grade 10 and Grade 6. She has been a member of the Bishops School Council for the past 5 years and currently serving her second term in that capacity.
Thandi is a Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and holds a Master of Business Leadership (MBL).
Her hobbies and pastimes include reading and wogging (walk/jogging). These days you are likely to see her pounding the pavements as she aims to run her first Two Oceans half marathon next year (2021).
Abigail Dreyer
Head of Learning, Influence and Networking at PATA
Abigail PATA Professional Bio:
Abigail recently assumed the role of Head of Learning, Influence and Networking at PATA. She comes with over 14 years of dedicated educational experience in medical education and even more years of experience in networking and driving social change. With a robust background in building strategic partnerships and fostering collaborative environments. Throughout her career, Abigail has demonstrated a unique ability to connect diverse stakeholders, including non-profits, government agencies, and private sector organizations, to address pressing social issues. Abigail has a proven track record of leveraging these networks to mobilize resources, advocate for policy changes, and implement community-driven solutions. Abigail’s expertise in social change is complemented by her strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the socioeconomic factors that influence community development. She has been instrumental in designing and executing programs that promote education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, particularly in underserved communities.
In her previous role at the University of Witwaterand, Faculty of Health Sciences, she was responsible for teaching on an undergraduate and postgraduate level and supported interprofessional learning across disciplines. She has more than 25 years experience of working in rural and underserved communities in the Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, and Mpumalanga as well as Lesotho and Swaziland. As a “pracademic” who trives in bringing together community work and advocacy she plans to create spaces that incorporate creativity and engagement. She has authored and co-authored publications, on medical education practice, teaching methodologies and community research. Her research interests include curriculum design, and innovations in Health Professions Education, community-engaged teaching, collaborative practice, interprofessional teaching, and research that contributes to improving the quality of health care in rural and underserved areas. Abigail holds Honorary Lecturer positions at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Stellenbosch.
She holds a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape as well as an Advanced Diploma in Adult Education from the University of the Western Cape. She also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education & Leadership from the Foundation for Professional Development in Pretoria. She graduates in 2024 with an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, where her research explored the use of decentralised training platforms using in the undergraduate training of medical students across four institutions. She is joint faculty for the Sub-Saharan African FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) which supports medical education. Abigail holds a Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) fellowship and a fellowship with the sub-Saharan FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI).
Agnes Ronan
Head of Programmes and Knowledge
Agnes Ronan
Head of Programmes and Knowledge
Agnes Ronan brings more than 13 years of public health experience, specializing in maternal, child and adolescent health. Agnes has recently re-joined as Head of Programmes and Knowledge. Agnes was previously Technical Advisor for Adolescent Health at mothers2mothers, leading programme design and implementation for the Adolescent Health portfolio.
She also held project management positions at the University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health and Family Medicine; and Department of Adolescent Health where she managed clinical trials as well as observational studies in reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health.
Prior to that, she worked at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, focusing on various clinical trials as well as observational HIV prevention studies for adolescents. Agnes is a nurse by training and has worked in research at St Georges Hospital and Kings College, London. She also holds an MBA from the University of Reading, UK and an MPH from the University of Cape Town.
Agnes is passionate about programming for children and adolescent health that applies sustainable interventions, empowering communities by promoting home-grown solutions and ensuring that service delivery is embedded within the communities being served.
Glynis Gossman
Operations Manager
Glynis Gossman
Operations Manager
Glynis is a member of the PATA senior management team and has been an integral part of PATA since 2011. As Operations Manager, she oversees all logistics, office and human resource aspects of the organisation. Glynis has completed various courses whilst working at PATA which includes Human Resource Management and NPO leadership and strategy development.
With a background in tourism, Glynis started her professional career working in Europe in 1997. She continued working at various tour operators in South Africa and gained extensive experience within the travel industry before joining PATA.
Dan Lolê
Senior Programme Manager in Monitoring & Evaluation
Dan Lolê
Senior Programme Manager in Monitoring & Evaluation
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!
Angelita Silva
Marketing and Communications Manager
Angelita Silva
Marketing and Communications Manager
Angelita is a creative marketing coordinator with over nine years’ experience in the development sector, with skills in hosting digital events, brand management and content creation.
Angelita developed a passion for HIV work when working as an HIV counsellor at Witkoppen Clinic, Johannesburg. She later worked at Dieplsoot Combined Highschool developing and supporting HIV awareness programmes and counselling. Before joining PATA, she worked with various organisations including, The Adolescent HIV Treatment Coalition (ATC), International AIDS Society (IAS), and The Regional Inter-Agency Task Team on Children and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa(RIATT-ESA)/Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI).
Angelita prides herself in being an artist and humanitarian, she is an advocate for Universal Health Coverage, and the rights of vulnerable women, children and all people living with or affected by HIV.
Siboniso Latha
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at PATA
Siboniso Latha Profile:
With over 10 years of dedicated experience in monitoring and evaluation, Siboniso Latha is a distinguished professional specializing in data management and HIV/AIDS program oversight.
Currently serving as the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at PATA Health Institute in Cape Town.
Prior to this, Siboniso excelled at Anova Health Institute in Cape Town, he led district data management and reporting teams (M&E officers and Data Captures), ensuring the accuracy and quality of data across various health facilities. His role encompasses strategic contributions to the APACE project’s data collection, analysis, and reporting, alongside managing M&E activities to enhance HIV program outcomes. Other roles performed as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Anova Health Institute, where he ensured high-quality data management and provided insightful data analysis for program leads. His expertise extends back to roles such as Data Quality Officer at Khethimpilo and Information Officer in Bloemfontein, where he focused on improving data quality and system efficiency. Siboniso also worked as a research assistant with HEARD (is a division of University of KwaZulu-Natal) on Medical Male Circumcision (focusing on schoolboys), and Gender Based Violence research studies.
Siboniso holds a degree in Geography and Environmental Management, and Honors in Economic History from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, complemented by specialized training in Data Analysis from the University of Cape Town. His career reflects a deep commitment to data integrity, research and performance management in health systems.
Driven by a passion for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in public health especially in HIV/AIDS and TB programmes, Siboniso is dedicated to enhancing health outcomes through effective data management. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys reading, running, gardening, and exploring various music genres.
Phakamani Moyo
Comms Assistant and YAP Coordinator
Phakamani Moyo
PATA Comms Assistant and YAP Coordinator
Phakamani Moyo is a dedicated peer counselor currently based at United Bulawayo Hospitals in the O.I clinic, bringing a decade of active involvement in advocacy for young people living with HIV.
Over the past 10 years, Phakamani has tirelessly worked on various advocacy initiatives focused on enhancing access to services for young people, raising awareness, and campaigning for the inclusion of young people’s voices at facility, district, and national levels. His experience spans different health facilities where he has served as a peer counselor, and he has represented the interests of young people living with HIV in numerous national and international platforms.
Phakamani holds the role of the Acting Coordinator of Friendly Service Delivery for Adolescents And Youth, a positive youth-led community-based organization. In this capacity, he champions sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) demand creation, working towards improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for networks of adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYPLHIV).
Additionally, Phakamani serves as a Youth Ambassador for Youth Friendly HIV service delivery for the IAS (International AIDS Society) and holds the prestigious PEPFAR Award as a Hero. His commitment to advocacy and support for the well-being of young people is further exemplified by his role as a positive force in the field of HIV service delivery.
Yasteel Maharaj
Senior Regional Programme Manager
Prior to joining PATA, Yasteel held the position of Manager – Paediatric and Adolescent HIV at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, where he developed and implemented a minimum standard package of care for children and adolescents living with HIV. He also led the creation of investment cases for the South African National Department of Health to optimise resource allocation at national and provincial levels through 2030. Earlier in his career, Yasteel served as a Public Health Specialist at Deloitte and as a Technical Advisor on Health Financing to the National Treasury of South Africa. Yasteel is also a key member of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030 as part of the South Africa country team.
Yasteel holds a Master of Public Health (specialising in Health Economics) from the University of Cape Town, as well as a BSc Honours in Medical Bioscience (specialising in Immunology and Ecotoxicology) and a BSc in Medical Bioscience from the University of the Western Cape.
Heleen Soeters
Senior Programmes Manager
Heleen Soeters
Senior Programmes Manager
Heleen has been working in the field of paediatric and adolescent HIV/AIDS since 2012. She has two MSc degrees in Neuroscience, and Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Science, specialising in International Public Health, from the University of Amsterdam and VU University in the Netherlands respectively.
Since 2016 she been focusing on the youth space, working with national and regional A/YPLHIV networks in sub-Saharan Africa in Peers2Zero (P2Z).
Dr Charmaine Khudzie Mlambo
Senior Programme Manager
Dr Charmaine Khudzie Mlambo
Senior Programme Manager
Charmaine Khudzie Mlambo is PATA’s Senior Programme Manager and has 10 years’ experience in developing, managing, and successfully implementing multi-disciplinary health-related projects. Khudzie was awarded a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in 2010 where her research determined for the first time, the genotypic characteristics of multi- drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR) strains circulating in Johannesburg and investigated treatment outcomes of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients in Gauteng.
Since returning to Eswatini in 2010, Khudzie has worked for several non-governmental organizations including ICAP, URC and CHAI. Her passion for working in public health was realized when she joined as Program Manager on the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS), the first population-based HIV incidence measurement survey in Eswatini.
Since then, Khuzdie has proceeded to work in several health-related projects that contain both programmatic and research aspects. Notably to date has been the MaxART programme, which in 2016 contributed to adoption of the Test & Start policy change in Eswatini.
Khudzie is excited to join the team at PATA and to contribute to the important work being done to ensure effective positive change in the paediatric – adolescent HIV response.
Dr Barbara Engelsmann
Technical Advisor
Barbara Engelsmann
Technical Advisor
Dr Barbara Engelsmann is a highly experienced German medical doctor dedicated to global health and passionate about and finding homegrown solutions to address the service delivery gaps for the less visible faces and the less heard voices of need. Equipped with a MBBS (Munich University), MD (Ulm university), MRCGP (UK) and MSc in Public Health (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), she brings 20+ years of clinical and project implementation experience in HIV/MNCH/SRH in Nepal, Switzerland, Bangladesh, Singapore and Zimbabwe to the table.
In 2007, Barbara founded the Zimbabwean NGO OPHID (Organization of Public Health Interventions and Development), which focuses on implementing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs with a particular interest in operational research. Under her leadership, OPHID matured into the largest local HIV program implementer, a PEPFAR/USAID primary recipient, with more than 300 employees. Barbara’s strategic planning abilities were vital to the organizational growth of OPHID, as she worked closely with the board, government officials, donors, and partner representatives to shape national policy developments and position OPHID in the stakeholder environment.
In September 2022, Barbara joined PATA as a Technical Advisor, her extensive experience and skills in strategic planning, technical oversight, programme implementation, operational research, and compliance and risk management make her an asset to any organization in the field of global health.
Tabisa Silere-Maqetseba
Country Representative, South Africa
Tabisa has served in different Technical Working Teams (TWGs) at Provincial and National levels and has experience in chairing most of the TWGs and stakeholder committees. She is part of the National TWG for Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030 strategy, representing PATA. She has authored and co-authored publications, policies and guidelines and SOPs in alignment with the Paediatric and Adolescents HIV programme guidance and issues raised. She brings over 13 years of skills in local & national administration, programme management and project management.
Margail Joemat
Finance and Grant Support Officer
Margail Joemat
Senior Project Management Support Officer
Margail Joemat has been part of TeamPATA since 2013, where she started as an administrator supporting the Operations Manager. Over the years, she has gained valuable experience and qualification, and now serves as Grants and Finance Officer. Margail’s primary responsibility is to provide support to the Finance team in regular donor reporting and maintaining program Service Level Agreements and budgets. Before joining TeamPATA, Margail worked as a Project Administrator and PA to the Vice President of PetroSA. Margail holds a qualification in Financial Management and Bookkeeping from the South African College of Business and studied Business Administration at the College of Cape Town. In her free time, Margail enjoys spending quality time with her family outdoors, singing, and listening to live music.
Programme Staff – Technical Support
Dr Margret Elang
Country Representative-Uganda
Dr Margret Elang
PATA Country Representative – Uganda
Dr. Elang Margret is currently serving as the PATA Country Representative for Uganda. With over a decade of experience in the implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health projects at social health marketing organizations and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Elang possesses a wide range of skills, including quality improvement management of health programs, health program management, design and delivery, proposal writing, and capacity development for community-based organizations in health interventions. She brings a unique perspective to her work as a medical doctor by training.
Dr. Elang Margret has pursued further education to enhance her expertise. She holds a master’s in public health (MPH) from Makerere University School of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Edinburgh Business School | Heriot-Watt University.
Dr. Elang is deeply driven by her passion for promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Her unwavering commitment lies in the implementation of sustainable interventions that address their specific needs. She firmly believes in empowering communities by fostering the development of solutions that originate within their own context. Dr. Elang also emphasizes the importance of integrating service delivery directly into the communities she serves, ensuring accessibility and effectiveness.
Aveneni Mangombe
Country Representative-Zimbabwe
Aveneni Mangombe
Country Representative-Zimbabwe
Aveneni is a Social Scientist (Social Worker and Demographer) who has vast experience in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policy and strategies formulation, programming, advocacy, and research, with a special focus on adolescents & youths. He worked for Deseret International Foundation, The Bethany Project, Primson Management Services and Africare in the area of operational research, monitoring and evaluation for child protection, health and livelihoods programmes for children and young people between 2001 and 2007. He joined the Ministry of Health and Child Care in 2006, through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as the first ever National Programme Coordinator for the Adolescent and Youth SRH Programme. He has been working with PATA since 2016 through the READY+ Initiative.
Aveneni is motivated by his practical experience in designing, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of both local and regional programmes on adolescent and youth health, in various settings (e.g., community, public health facilities, schools and tertiary institutions). He also manages the Partnerships Management portfolio for the Adolescent Wellbeing Professional Development Programme being implemented through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Biomedical Research and Training Institute University of Zimbabwe and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is also a member of the Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent health (GAMA) Advisory Group and the Scientific Committee member for the International Workshop on HIV & Adolescence.
Aveneni is a self-starter, self-motivator and team player who is driven by passion for excellence.
Dr Vanessa Fozao
Country Representative – Cameroon
Dr Vanessa Fozao
PATA Country Representative – Cameroon
Dr. Vanessa is a health enthusiast with over four years of experience in the field with a keen interest on HIV/AIDS. While her professional journey has been for four years, she has always been a volunteer in healthcare with multiple community outreach programs as she firmly believes we must take healthcare closer to the masses if we want to meet them at their point of need.
Dr. Vanessa recently assumed the role of Cameroon country representative for PATA. In her previous role with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, in their HIV Free project, she served as Regional technical supervisor for continuity of treatment and regional focal person for pediatric activities in the Northwest region, a role in which she mentored 37 Health facilities and over 300 healthcare providers, ensuring the right quality of services are offered to the patients and, most especially the pediatric and adolescent population.
Vanessa braved the odds severally as she visited hard-to-reach communities in the heart of the sociopolitical crises plaguing the Northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon. Through her sacrifice and efforts, the program was able to establish support groups that equally served as dispensation points for patients, thereby boosting retention rates to over 90% .https://cbchealthservices.org/heroine-in-healthcare-provision/
Vanessa is a trained medical doctor with multiple certifications in clinical management of HIV, Project management in global health, monitoring, and evaluation in global health, and epidemiology in global health.
Her passion drives Dr. Vanessa to ensure that children, adolescents, and young adults have equal access to healthcare and have adequate information to make correct informed choices when it comes to their health. Beyond her professional prowess, she engages the population through creative writing and public speaking, which are her strong suit and her strategy to be the change she wants to see.
Thabang Masangane
Country Representative-Eswatini
Thabang Masangane
Country Representative-Eswatini
Thabang is currently the PATA Country Representative in Eswatini. He is a double qualified nurse by profession and has also studied Development Studies and Total Quality Management. He is currently employed by the Eswatini Government’s Ministry Of Health as the Head of Quality Management Programme. He has vast experience in nursing, supporting children adolescent and young people living with HIV to start and stay on the treatment, implementing quality management and improvement models as well as programming, community development, health systems strengthening, integration of HIV/SRHR/PSS, education and training in quality of care, multi-disciplinary partnership building, and advocacy. He has successfully participated in the development of different health standards and Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for the health sector including the Eswatini Adolescent Youth Friendly Health Service Package.
He provides technical assistance to health providers in development and implementation of Quality Improvement plans.
Thabang is driven by an instinctive need to improve outcomes, innovation and using data to determine and improve skills performance.
Wankumbu Simukonda
Field Technical Advisor – Zambia
Wankumbu Simukonda
Field Technical Advisor – Zambia
With over six years of advocacy and health promotion, Wankumbu Simukonda is a passionate advocate for adolescent SRHR, HIV, and social behavioral change.
Wankumbu recently assumed the role of PATA Field Technical Advisor. In his previous role at Copper Rose Zambia, he served as a program officer under the advocacy and health promotion department, implementing the youth care project and the safe reproductive health awareness project targeting adolescents and young people. He also worked with the University of Zambia (UNZA) clinic as a media officer for the UNZA HIV response team.
In his previous roles, Wankumbu has been able to use his learned diplomatic and public relations skills to build and manage stakeholder relationships and build capacities for health providers, community health workers, and peer educators to offer youth-friendly services and increase uptake of SRHR, HIV, and family planning services.
Wankumbu holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of Zambia, a certificate in diplomatic practice, protocol, and public relations from the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS), and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Development Studies.
Wankumbu is passionate about youth participation in health and national development, advocating for their involvement in health and community project implementation. He is a football enthusiast and a social runner who participates in the 16 Days of GBV Action 20-kilometer marathon.
Dr Puri González Díaz
Country Representative-Mozambique
Dr Puri González Díaz
PATA Country Representative-Mozambique
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.
She enjoys mentoring frontline health providers and community volunteers as well as creating educational tools for family and caregivers HIV and ART literacy sessions.
Dr Teles Nhanombe
Country Representative-Mozambique
Dr Teles Nhanombe
Country Representative-Mozambique
Dr Teles Nhanombe is a Medical doctor (MD), completing his Masters in Public Health at the Catholic University of Mozambique with a missing dissertation.
He is a dedicated, organized, focused and aligned professional, representing the goals of the organization. Teles is dedicated to achieving Goal 95-95-95, reducing stigma and discrimination and eliminating HIV in the coming years.
Teles, has over 6 years- experience working in programs related with HIV and AIDS in Mozambique, analyzing program indicators and defining strategies for improvement:
- HIV testing in the general population and high risk groups ( Key Population);
- Linkage of newly diagnosed HIV patients to care and treatment services and monitoring the offer of ART and prophylactic treatments;
- Screening for STI and Tuberculosis in HIV positive patients;
- Early and late retention;
- Participation in the discussion of cases of antiretroviral therapy failure as a permanent member of the provincial ART Committee.
Teles has skills in quality assurance management of health programs, Program design and delivery of integrated HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights projects, including community engagement within HIV program.
His interests are in Public Health Programs, implementation in the context of Sexual Health Reproductive Rights, Young People, and Key Population rights to access of quality HIV.
Dr Fileuka Ngakongwa
Country Representative-Tanzania
Fileuka Ngakongwa
PATA Country Representative-Tanzania
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.
Margaret Mbugua
Technical Advisor-You(th) Care
Margaret Mbugua
Technical Advisor-You(th) Care
Margaret Mbugua is a social scientist with over 10 years’ experience in the policy and advocacy, health programming, resource mobilization and gender mainstreaming with non-governmental organisations sectors. Having worked at various NGOs such as Echo Network Africa formerly Kenya Women Holding, Health Rights Advocacy Forum (HERAF), Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO), Kenya Network of Women with AIDS (KENWA), National Empowerment for People living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK), National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) and Alliance Regional Technical Support Hub for East & Southern Africa, she has gained vast experience in working with organisations in policy and advocacy for health, technical support provision in HIV work and SRHR as well as working with people living with HIV, implementing youth and workplace programs. Margaret is a trainer/facilitator and technical assistance provider. She has also spearheaded development of technical capacity assessment tools, provision of technical assistance to SBCC programs and organizational development.
Margaret gained considerable experience on different thematic areas such as Health Rights, HIV/AIDS, Gender, Democracy, Governance, Peace and Economic Empowerment which has enabled her gain knowledge, expertise and comparative advantage in addressing socio-economic problems facing the general population. She has been able to design programs and developed proposals for funding from key donors such as USAID, DFID, Global Fund, Ford Foundation, EU, PACF, Christian AID, Open Society Foundation, among many others. Margaret also gained exposure in working at international level as a Technical Support Officer at the Technical Support Hub for East & Southern Africa under the International HIV/AIDS Alliance where she managed a portfolio of countries such as South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.
Casco Mubanga
Technical Advisor-You(th) Care
Casco Mubanga
Technical Adivsor-You(th) Care
Casco S. Mubanga is a public health scientist (BPH), with a Master of Science in Project Management (MScPM) and is in the final stage of a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Casco is passionate about community health services, specifically in pursuing innovative ideas that promote SRHR, and the prevention of HIV in adolescents and young people. Prior to joining PATA in 2022, Casco worked as an advisor for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), ICAP at Columbia University, and as a Project Manager at Zambia Community Health Initiative (ZCHI).
Casco has over 10 years of experience in advocacy, community health, SRH and implementing community initiatives that improve access to quality health services and human rights. He promotes gender and social inclusion in underprivileged communities by building their capacity to make informed decisions/choices.
He has skills in project management, quality improvement, proposal writing, capacity building, and system strengthening for non-governmental organisations and private entities. Some of his other skills include strategic planning and partnership, community engagement, media engagement, and team building.
Jaqueline Mushi
Technical Advisor
Jaqueline Mushi
Technical Advisor
Jaqueline Mushi is a health professional with over 11 years of experience in designing and delivering health programs. She has extensive experience working with injecting drug users, as well as individuals living with and affected by HIV. Jaqueline’s fieldwork includes direct engagement with children, women, adolescents, and young people. In recent years, her focus has shifted to health systems strengthening, providing conceptual and technical support to partners and the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland. Her expertise in public health is demonstrated through her knowledge of health systems, policies, and programs.
Recently, she joined TEAMPATA as the Country Representative for Tanzania, leading the READY and Breakthrough Partnership programs. In the past two and a half years, Jaqueline has served as a Technical Advisor with GIZ BACKUP Health, a global program assisting partners in the country to access and use Global Fund resources effectively in the fight against the three diseases. She played a key role in supporting partners to operationalize meaningful Civil Society Organization and key population engagement in the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM).
Her previous roles include working with REPSSI and TACOSODE as the Project Coordinator for the READY Project in Tanzania. Additionally, she served as the National Partners Liaison Officer and Outreach Worker at Medecins du Monde (MdM) on the Harm Reduction Program.
Jaqueline holds a BA in Sociology from St. Augustine University of Tanzania and is a trained counselor. Passionate about working with the community, she also enjoys baking.
Isaías Mahale
Clinical Officer
Isaías Mahale
Clinical Officer
Isaías Mahale, a seasoned Clinical Officer with extensive experience in STI/HIV/TB programs, has recently joined Team PATA for the BP project in Inhambane, Mozambique. Previously, he served as the Clinical Focal Point for the BP project in Massinga District and as the District Supervisor of the STI-HIV program in Sofala province, both in Mozambique.
A graduate of the Chimoio Health Science Institute, Isaías holds a General Medicine Technician qualification. With over nine years of dedicated service in the field, his expertise has significantly contributed to the progress of STI/HIV/TB programs.
Isaías’s clinical background and project management experience make him a valuable asset to Team PATA, where he can continue making a positive impact for children, adolescents, and young people affected by HIV.
Dr Egas Alberto Assane
Field Technical Advisor – Mozambique
Dr. Egas Assane is an experienced general practitioner with over 10 years of providing medical care to populations and communities in Mozambique. He currently works with PATA as a Field Technical Advisor for the KULEA project, which is being implemented in Nampula Province, Mozambique.
Dr. Assane’s career has been dedicated to curative and preventive medical assistance. In his previous role with Médecins Sans Frontières, he supported medical coordination in a project implemented in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, which focused on mitigating the effects of violence on the population due to an ongoing armed conflict. He has also worked within Mozambique’s public health system as a frontline healthcare provider for several years, taking on various roles including District Supervisor of multiple health programs, such as HIV, TB, and Malaria, while providing crucial support and mentorship to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Family Planning programs. He also served as the Director of a healthcare facility.
Throughout his career, Dr. Assane has held significant roles, including providing key supervision and support to health programs and working in leadership positions. His expertise extends across several key areas of healthcare, from HIV and TB to Malaria and SRH, and he has a wealth of experience in empowering, training, and supervising medical teams on the ground.
Dr. Egas Assane graduated from the Catholic University of Mozambique, where he was recognized as the top student in his region. He also excelled in the medical technician course at the Chimoio Health Science Institute in 2010.
Dr. Assane is passionate and dedicated to evaluating gaps, strengthening, and monitoring health programs both within health facilities and in the community, always striving to provide the best care for the population.
Dr Erenia Sambua
Field Technical Advisor – Tanzania
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. Dr Sambua currently serves as a Field Technical Advisor for PATA in Tanzania, under where she focuses on building the capacities of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to be resilient and knowledgeable about their health.the KULEA initiative,
Her career includes significant contributions to Tanzania’s healthcare system, particularly in HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and tuberculosis. She previously served as Regional Programme Manager for the USAID-funded TUNAJALI programme, where she led teams to strengthen HIV clinical services across Dodoma. Dr Sambua has collaborated with numerous national and international organisations, including USAID, AMREF, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, providing technical support and strategic direction.
Dr Sambua has a proven track record in developing comprehensive tools for health initiatives, including adolescent training materials and national tools on HIV and TB care. Her expertise extends to working with NGOs, community-based organisations (CBOs), and faith-based organisations (FBOs) to strengthen local capacity and improve health outcomes at the community level. Dr Sambua holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Dar es Salaam. Dr Sambua is a versatile leader skilled in managing large teams, overseeing donor-funded projects, and facilitating training and mentorship programmes for healthcare workers.
Hatita Silvério Nanchuachua
Field Officer for KULEA – Mozambique
Hatita currently serves as a Field Officer for the KULEA project in Mozambique. Her journey into healthcare began during her high school years when she volunteered with the Geração Bizz initiative, inspired by her student association’s encouragement. This early experience sparked a lifelong interest in healthcare and community well-being. After earning her degree in Nutrition from Universidade Lúrio (UniLúrio) in Nampula, Hatita gained hands-on experience working in community settings. Her work has focused on addressing critical issues such as gender-based violence, early pregnancy, and the role of religion and culture in advancing women’s development.
Outside her professional work, Hatita maintains a love for reading and writing—interests that trace back to her childhood dreams of becoming a historian.
