SOUTH AFRICA— FIND, a global health non-profit to facilitate diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases, has identified Dr. Ntombenhle Mhlongo-Sigwebela to lead the organization’s operations in Southern Africa.
FIND recognized that Dr. Sigwebela held a wealth of expertise in operations management, resource mobilization, and health program management, working across the Southern Africa region and globally.
FIND has in the last 20 years functioned in product development partnership, engaging in active collaboration with over 150 partners to facilitate the development, evaluation, and implementation of diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases.
FIND opened a regional office in South Africa in 2014, to work with partners towards advancing diagnostic access and improving health outcomes in the region.
The organization states that it supports public health initiatives and systems strengthening across the Southern Africa region.
This is through working with a myriad of partners in the region that range from traditional academic institutions that undertake diagnostic evaluations to local non-governmental organizations, and diagnostic manufacturers.
Strategic priorities include reducing the country’s quadruple disease burden and strengthening health systems.
FIND continues to be committed to enhancing the quality of primary healthcare services across the region, in recognition of the importance of patient-centered testing and care in achieving UHC.
Their main office in Johannesburg, South Africa office has a strong focus on TB but is also working on projects related to COVID-19, non-communicable diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.
FIND is currently involved with 14 clinical trials, six implementation studies, and 13 other studies in South Africa.
Dr. Sanjay Sarin, FIND Vice President, Access, said, “Dr. Ntombi has a wealth of expertise in operations management, resource mobilization, and health program management, working across the Southern Africa region and globally.”
Dr. Sarin extended that FIND was excited to welcome her to our team to work together with countries and her leadership will help FIND tailor its approaches to their specific needs in diagnostic testing, to ensure that our programmatic activities can have a sustainable impact.
Dr. Sigwebela is a South African medical doctor with over 20 years of experience in the field of infectious diseases of public health importance, including tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.
Armed with her Medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand and diploma in Forensic Pathology from the College of Medicine of South Africa, she is amply prepared to take on FIND’s objectives for the region.
She began her career as a clinical investigator in multi-country clinical trials for HIV drugs and HIV service delivery demonstration projects that informed the rollout of antiretroviral drugs in South Africa.
She then moved into various leadership roles including Chief of Party at Right to Care, and Regional Director of Aquity Innovations, at University Research Company (URC).
Dr Sigwebela has also served on advisory committees for organizations including the World Health Organization and the South African National Department of Health.
She has contributed to the development of various TB-related guidelines in various Southern African countries, as well as the South Africa TB National Strategic Plan (2007–2011), and the South Africa HIV/TB National Strategic Plan (2012–2016).
Dr. Sigwebela is also a frequent speaker at conferences and events on topics related to TB, HIV, and other infectious diseases.
Dr. Sigwebela noted on her social media platforms, “I am honoured to join FIND at this moment in time. By leading FIND’s Southern Africa office, I will have the privilege of playing a significant role in the provision of accessible and impactful diagnostic solutions to people in my continent and across the world.”
She added that the region was now at a crucial juncture where multi-disease diagnostic platforms and decentralization towards the point of care are paramount in ensuring diagnostic access for all.
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