ELEANOR NAMUSOKE-MAGONGO, MMED, MBChB

Paediatrician | Child Health Specialist |Public Health| Implementation Science Researcher

CURRICULUM VITAE

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dedicated Paediatrician and Child Health Specialist with 15+ years of experience in leadership, program management and implementation, policy development, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization and research in paediatric and adolescent HIV care across sub-Saharan Africa. Proven expertise in implementation science, training, and mentorship. Member of the WHO HIV Drug Resistance and Adolescent HIV Service Delivery Technical Working Groups, Child Survival Working Group, PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board, and contributor to global policy discussions on paediatric and adolescent HIV. Successfully led initiatives impacting over 3,000 healthcare facilities and over 70,000 children and adolescent living with HIV, and shaped national policies. Committed to bridging the knowledge-practice gap through research and quality improvement initiatives.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leadership & Strategic Management
• Paediatric & Adolescent HIV Care
• Policy Development & Analysis
• Implementation Science Research
• Program Development & Oversight
• Training, Mentorship & coaching
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building
• Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement
• Resource Mobilization & Budgeting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Program Officer, Paediatric & Adolescent HIV Care and Treatment
Ministry of Health – AIDS Control Program | July 2017 – Present
• Provide leadership and coordination for the national paediatric and adolescent HIV program, directly impacting over 70,000 children and adolescents living with HIV.
• Convene quarterly stakeholder meetings, engaging 20+ implementing partners and development agencies.
• Lead the establishment of Uganda’s chapter of the UN family led Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030.
• Spearhead policy analysis, development, and evaluation for paediatric and adolescent HIV services.
• Successfully advocated for national HIV drug resistance testing for children and adolescents failing first-line ART, benefiting over 15,000 children annually.
• Developed a national third-line ART capacity-building model and decentralized program, training over 2,000 healthcare providers.
• Mobilized resources from Johnson and Johnson and led the development of the national HIV drug resistance curriculum. Over 3000 health care providers have been trained in this curriculum in a period of 7 years.
• Oversaw quality assurance efforts, conducting 100+ mentorship and supervision visits and leading quarterly performance reviews.
• Serve as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on 10+ paediatric and adolescent HIV research studies.
• Mobilized over $5 million in funding from PEPFAR, UNICEF, CHAI, DNDi, and Johnson & Johnson, ViiV Health Care, UN Family to support national paediatric HIV initiatives
• Founded Supporting the Translation of Research Findings and Evidence-based interventions into Policy and Practice (STREPP) for impactful and sustainable child and adolescent health programs. STREPP organizes two meetings for the African continent. The International Paediatric HIV/AIDS Symposium for Africa (IPHASA) is an abstract-driven scientific meeting which has integrated implementation science capacity building and grants for young African researchers into the meeting. The Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Learning Collaborative for Africa (PAHLCA) convenes over 600 Ministry of Health officials from over 30 African countries in a workshop format to share best practices on a particular topic related to children and adolescents living with HIV. We have held 7 meetings to-date. For more information, please check out our website at www.strepp.org
Program Officer, Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment
Ministry of Health – AIDS Control Program | January 2013 – June 2017
• Coordinated the national paediatric HIV response, ensuring effective policy implementation across 135 districts.
• Led capacity-building programs for healthcare providers on paediatric HIV care, training over 1,000 clinicians.
• Developed a program implementation plan, mentorship and supervision plans for 30+ underperforming districts and health facilities.
• Develop the clinical mentorship toolkit to support Ministry of Health teams and Implementing partners to conduct structured mentorship support
• Conducted operational research to address service delivery gaps for children living with HIV.

Paediatric HIV Technical Advisor

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) – STAR-E Project | July 2009 – December 2012
• Implemented USAID/PEPFAR-funded paediatric HIV programs across Eastern Uganda, impacting 250+ health facilities.
• Disseminated national policies, guidelines, and SOPs at regional levels, reaching over 3,000 healthcare providers.
• Designed and conducted training and mentorship programs, reducing paediatric HIV treatment dropout rates by 20%.
• Provided technical assistance to districts in developing HIV response work plans and budgets
• Mentored clinical mentors who daily supported the district and health facility teams teams
Paediatrics HIV Outreach Program Coordinator
Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) | March 2008 – June 2009
• Led outreach programs to expand paediatric HIV services including Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) to 7 JCRC Regional Centres of Excellence,
• Supervised and mentored clinicians in seven regional centres and 52 satellite sites.
• Designed interventions to improve retention in HIV care for children and adolescents.
Paediatrician
Baylor-Uganda | December 2007 – February 2008
• Provided specialized care to over 4000 children and adolescents living with HIV
• Conducted case conferences and mentored medical students and junior clinicians
• Conducted research
Post-graduate Student
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences Makerere University |October 2004- September 2007
• Provided medical (clinical) care to children and adolescents at the Acute Care Unit, in-patient wards and several out-patient clinics at Mulago National Referral Hospital
• Taught undergraduate students
• Organized and participated in Journal clubs, CME’s
• Conducted research as a requirement for the master’s program

Medical Officer

Rugazi Health Center IV| March 2004 – September 2004
• Head of Bunyaruguru Health Sub-district and Rugazi Health Centre IV. I provided oversight to 7 health centres in the sub-district
• Offered medical care for all patients at the out-patient and in-patient departments including conducting postmortems

• Handled administrative duties at both the health centre IV and health sub-district

• Represented the health sub-district at district health meetings

• Supervised and appraised over 20 health workers and support staff

• Responsible for the development of the sub-district budget and workplan, and managing the allocated funds

• Organized, conducted and supervised all the national health campaigns in the health sub-district

• Forecasted and procured the health facility medicine and supplies orders from the national medical stores and a private drug warehouse

• Served as secretary to the health unit management committee, attended all meetings to update the committee on the status of health services at the health centre as well as offer technical guidance on health-related matters

• Taught and supervised medical students who come for site placements at the health facility

Medical Officer

Kitagata Hospital |November 2003 – February 2004
• Offered medical care to patients at the out-patient and in-patient departments including performing surgical procedures

• In the absence of medical procedures, handled administrative issues as delegated

• Conducted support supervision visits to lower-level health facilities

• Participated in organizing and conducting national health campaigns

• Conducted postmortems at the facility in turn with other doctors

• Taught and supervised medical students who come for site placements at the health facility

• Forecasted and procured the health facility medicine and supplies orders from the national medical stores and a private drug warehouse

Medical Officer

Kiwoko Hospital|October 2002 – November 2003
• Offered medical care for all patients at the out-patient as well as in-patient departments including performing surgical procedures

• Conducted medical outreaches to communities distant to the hospital

• Taught and supervised medical students who came for site placements at the health facility

• Participated and presented during journal clubs
Intern Doctor
Mulago National Referral Hospital|October 2002 – November 2003
• Offered medical assessment care for all patients at the out-patient as well as in-patient departments including performing surgical procedures.

• Collected samples for medical investigations from patients admitted to the ward

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Led the development of Uganda’s national third-line ART program and capacity-building strategy, training over 2,000 providers.
• Established Uganda’s first paediatric and adolescent HIV cohort in partnership with University College London, enrolling over 2,000 children and adolescents.
• Presented Uganda’s paediatric ART optimization work at the 45th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) Meeting.
• Advocated for and secured policy approval for HIV drug resistance testing, benefiting over 15,000 children annually.
• Founder & Organizer of the International Paediatric HIV/AIDS Symposium for Africa (IPHASA) and Paediatric and Adolescent HIV/AIDS Learning Collaborative for Africa (PAHLCA).
• Co-established an NIH-funded national adolescent HIV Implementation Science Alliance for Uganda

EDUCATION

• Master of Medicine (MMed) in Paediatrics & Child Health – Makerere University Medical School, 2004 – 2009
• Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) – Makerere University Medical School, 1996 – 2001

AFFILIATIONS & LEADERSHIP ROLES

• Member, WHO Adolescent HIV Service Delivery Technical Working Group
• Member, WHO HIV Drug Resistance Technical Working Group (WHO HIVRESNET)
• Member, NIH-funded Global Adolescent HIV/AIDS Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA)
• Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) Member, SEARCH Trial

CONSULTANCY & VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

• Lead Consultant, UNICEF HQ (2023) – Developed a strategy to support adolescent wellbeing in high HIV burden settings.
• Consultant, UNICEF HQ (2022) – Consulted on HIV programs for pregnant and lactating young mothers, shaping global policy interventions.
• Consultant, World Bank & Ministry of Health Lesotho (2020) – Conducted quality and outcome analysis for 30+ regional and district hospitals.
• Mentor, Girls for Girls Mentorship Program (Harvard Initiative) – Coaching and mentoring 10 young women in health sciences.

PUBLICATIONS & RESEARCH

1. Oryokot B, Kazibwe A, Kagimu D, Oluka AI, Miya Y, Etukoit MB, et al. Improving Retention and HIV Viral Load Suppression among the Adolescents Living with HIV in TASO Soroti and TASO Mbale Centers of Excellence using Operation Triple Zero Model: A before and after study protocol [Internet]. In Review; 2023 [cited 2025 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2464089/v1
2. Boeke CE, Nabitaka V, Rowan A, Guerra K, Nawaggi P, Mulema V, et al. Results from a proactive follow-up intervention to improve linkage and retention among people living with HIV in Uganda: a pre-/post- study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018 Dec;18(1):949.
3. Dirlikov E, Kamoga J, Talisuna SA, Namusobya J, Kasozi DE, Akao J, et al. Scale-Up of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy and Estimation of Averted Infections and HIV-Related Deaths — Uganda, 2004–2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Jan 27;72(4):90–4.
4. Takhona G. HlatshwakoA , Ifeoma ObionuB, Yang ZhaoC, Kelechi ChimaD , Brian AhimbisibweE, Chisom Obiezu-UmehF, Eleanor Namusoke Magongo, Onyekachukwu AnikamaduH, Oliver EzechiI,J, Dorian HoK, Yusha TaoL, Susan VorkoperM, Rachel SturkeN, Juliet lwelunmorO, Damilola WalkerP,# and Joseph D. Tucke. #TheHealthYouthWant: a qualitative analysis of a global crowdsourcing open call for innovative ideas to promote adolescent health and well-being in countries with a high HIV burden. Phillips TR, editor. Sex Health [Internet]. 2025 Apr 22 [cited 2025 Oct 6];22(3). Available from: https://www.publish.csiro.au/SH/SH24175
5. Semitala FC, Wanyina S, Kalema N, Katwesigye R, Obong G, Gibbons K, Eleanor Namusoke-Magongo, Balidawa Carla Riet KU Leuven Nico Vandaele KU Leuven Cordelia Katurebe Catherine Decouttere KU Leuven et al. Differentiated Services Delivery Model Uptake and Outcomes in Uganda: Gaps, Facilitators, and Barriers – A Mixed Methods Study 2019–2021 [Internet]. In Review; 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6963111/v1 Lumley SF, Mokaya J, Maponga TG, Kramvis A, Dusheiko G, Irving W, et al. Hepatitis B virus resistance to nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy: WHO consultation on questions, challenges, and a roadmap for the field. The Lancet Microbe. 2025 Aug;6(8):101076.
6. Mbalinda SN, Bakeera-Kitaka S, Amooti DL, Magongo EN, Musoke P, Kaye DK. Ethical challenges of the healthcare transition to adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics for adolescents and young people with HIV in Uganda. BMC Med Ethics. 2021 Dec;22(1):35.
7. Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda1* , Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka2, Derrick Amooti Lusota1, Eleanor Namusoke Magongo, Philippa Musoke and Dan Kabonge Kaye. Barriers and facilitators to the implementation and scale up of differentiated service delivery models for HIV treatment in Africa: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Nov 28;22(1):1431.
8. Nosyk B, Namusoke EM, Trolard A, Geng EH. Implementation research for today’s HIV response: from theory to applied insights. J Int AIDS Soc. 2024 July;27(S1):e26305.
9. Oryokot B, Kazibwe A, Oluka AI, Kagimu D, Bakashaba B, Ssentongo S, et al. Abraham Ignatius Oluka1, David Kagimu2, Baker Bakashaba1, Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo1, Twaha Mafabi, Charles Odoi, Abubaker Kawuba, Yunus Miya, Bernard Michael Etukoit2, Kenneth Mugisha1 and Eleanor Namusoke‐Magongo “Swallowing these drugs every day, you get tired”: a mixed-methods study to identify Barriers and facilitators to retention and HIV Viral Load suppression among the Adolescents living with HIV in TASO Mbale and TASO Soroti centers of excellence [Internet]. In Review; 2024 [cited 2025 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3863602/v1
10.Ruel T, Penazzato M, Zech JM, Archary M, Cressey TR, Goga A, et al. Novel Approaches to Postnatal Prophylaxis to Eliminate Vertical Transmission of HIV. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2023 Apr 28;11(2):e2200401.
12.Subramanian S, Namusoke-Magongo E, Edwards P, Atujuna M, Chimulwa T, Dow D, et al. Integrated Health Care Delivery for Adolescents Living with and at Risk of HIV Infection: A Review of Models and Actions for Implementation. AIDS Behav. 2023 May;27(S1):50–63.
13.Tao Y, Byrne M, Ho D, Zhu Z, Conklin JL, Hlatshwako TG, Yuan Zhang, Ogechukwu Benedicta Aribodor, Malida Magista, Wenjie Shan,j Ujunwa F. Onyeama,k Onyekachukwu Anikamadu,l Linet M. Mutisya,m Kelechi Chima,n Ashiru Mustapha, Kathleen Agudelo Paipilla, Ijeoma Omenugha, Eleanor Namusoke Magongo, Juliet lwelunmor, Susan Vorkorper, Rachel Sturke, Weiming Tang, Damilola Walker, and Joseph D. Tuckera. HIV interventions across the care continuum for adolescents in high-burden countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2024 Dec;78:102989.
14. Evaluating the contribution of operation triple zero to HIV viral load suppression and retention among the adolescents in TASO Uganda using RE-AIM framework: a before and after implementation science study Bonniface Oryokot2,3*, Abraham Ignatius Oluka2, David Kagimu1, Yunus Miya1, Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo2, Catherine Achola1, Abubaker Kawuba1, Twaha Mafabi1, Charles Odoi1, Baker Bakashaba2, Kenneth Mugisha2, Michael Bernard Etukoit1 and Eleanor Namusoke-Magongo