News

Spotlight on the MPhil graduates of December 2024: Cultivating a new wave of healthcare leaders

Misscar Nakedi, Hlapase Tsele, Ratsie Kgobane, Makhala Nts’asa Moabi received their MPhil in HIV/Aids Management degree on 11 December. Pictured with them is Yolande Barendse, administrative officer at the Africa Centre. The other two MPhil graduates are Mekolle Enongene and Zinhle Ngubane, who could not attend the ceremony.

The MPhil in HIV/Aids Management programme at the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management is cultivating a new wave of healthcare leaders. With its focus on the social, economic and cultural factors driving the HIV epidemic, the programme equips graduates with the knowledge to create impactful solutions and improve public health outcomes.

The graduates of December 2024 include students from Lesotho, Cameroon and South Africa, who have conducted meaningful research in diverse fields such as maternal healthcare, HIV prevention and inclusive health systems, contributing to efforts that strengthen healthcare practices across the continent.

Shaping policy for HIV prevention

Hlapase Tsele, a gender and human rights officer from Lesotho, tackled the criminalisation of sex work, which she believes undermines HIV prevention efforts. Her research offers recommendations for policymakers to address this barrier, aiming to help Lesotho achieve UNAIDS HIV prevention targets by 2030.

Hlapase credits her collaboration with her supervisor, Dr Mzingaye Xaba, for the success of her research. She had to switch supervisors, which she describes as very challenging. Her and Xaba’s strong partnership laid the groundwork for potentially transformative public health policies in Lesotho. She plans to pursue a PhD to further develop health policy solutions.

Bridging gaps in men’s healthcare

Isaac Ratsie Kgobane, a senior programme manager from Gauteng, focused on addressing the underutilisation of HIV services among men. His research highlights the impact of this gap on new infections in women and children. “An increased HIV healthcare utilisation by men will benefit the entire country,” Ratsie says.

Some of his recommendations have been adopted, and Ratsie hopes for full implementation. He credits his late parents for inspiring his work and plans to further his studies to continue expanding his impact.

Optimising HIV care in KwaZulu-Natal

Zinhle Ngubane, a clinical associate from KwaZulu-Natal, seeks to improve individual health outcomes and enhance the effectiveness of HIV treatment programmes.

Despite challenges such as limited funding and time management, Zinhle has conducted research that has the potential to change lives. She credits her supervisor, Dr Chioma Ohajunwa, along with her family and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health with her success. She hopes to continue her work through a PhD, striving to drive long-lasting improvements in public health policy and healthcare systems.

Innovating healthcare in Cameroon

Mekolle Julius Enongene, a public health specialist, is enhancing HIV care delivery in Cameroon. His research focuses on transitioning stable HIV patients from public healthcare facilities to private pharmacy providers for medication refills. This model has proven to be transformative and sustainable, easing pressure on public healthcare systems while improving patient convenience. Mekolle plans to expand this approach nationwide.

He credits Dr Takiyah Whit Ndwanya, his supervisor, and the Cameroonian Ministry of Health for their collaboration, as well as his family for emotional support. “Balancing full-time work and study was undoubtedly challenging, but with the right support and a clear focus on setting priorities, I was able to navigate this demanding combination successfully, he says. Despite these challenges, Mekolle remains committed to advancing healthcare innovation and plans on translating his research into real-world outcomes.

Advancing maternal HIV care

Makhala Nts’asa Moabi, a nurse-midwife at Scott Hospital in Lesotho, is deeply committed to improving maternal HIV care through the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) programme. Her research aims to ensure that every mother and child has access to the care they need to thrive, focusing on continuous counselling, changing healthcare provider attitudes and ensuring reliable access to medications.

“Balancing work, studies and family life was a challenge,” Makhala says, but her determination, along with the support of her husband and her supervisor, Dr Munya Saruchera, helped her to persevere. Her work is driven by her love and hope for the families she serves. Makhala plans to pursue a PhD to develop an eMTCT model that can be widely implemented, creating lasting change in maternal HIV care.

Pioneering inclusive healthcare

Misscar Nakedi, health promotion manager from Gauteng, is striving to create inclusive healthcare systems. Her research focuses on empowering individuals to play key roles in care delivery. Her work aims to improve population health outcomes and drive systemic change.

“Research often requites balancing multiple responsibilities, such as coursework, family or personal life,” Misscar says. She credits her manager and study partner for their support and help in finding a work-life balance. She plans to pursue a PhD to contribute to transformative healthcare leadership and shape inclusive healthcare policies.

The future of HIV/Aids healthcare

As the world continues to confront HIV/Aids, the MPhil programme equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to advocate for marginalised populations, design innovative solutions and implement inclusive health practices. The graduates of December 2024 demonstrate the power of education and the potential for human ingenuity to overcome adversity.

More information about the Africa Centre’s December graduates’ MPhil study projects is available at https://www.aidscentre.sun.ac.za/mphil-study-projects/.

Tags