Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Lindiwe N. Nchimunya

Lusaka

Summary

Multi-skilled Medical Laboratory professional with 7 years of experience in diagnostic and research environments. Proven abilities in end-to-end project management, risk identification, and milestone achievement. Committed to delivering high-quality results and enhancing organizational efficiency. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail drive successful project execution.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Program Officer, Laboratory Systems (SARS COV2 AND PROJECT STELLAR)

CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE (CHAI)
Lusaka
04.2022 - 03.2025
  • Spearheaded COVID-19 operational research, ensuring compliance with grant objectives and national policies.
  • Trained research personnel on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and data protection protocols.
  • Collaborated with Ethics Review Board and compliance officers to uphold ethical standards in research.
  • Facilitated progress audits with donor and Ministry of Health to ensure quality data collection.
  • Oversaw budgeting for research activities, optimizing resource allocation throughout projects.
  • Coordinated retrospective study on AI and chest X-ray for evaluating COVID-19 suspects.
  • Published findings from SARs-CoV-2 rapid antigen test evaluation in London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Journal.
  • Presented research outcomes at Conference for Public Health in Africa, enhancing knowledge dissemination.
  • Oversaw daily operations including managing personnel issues such as hiring, training, scheduling and performance evaluations.
  • Reviewed reports from contractors, consultants or other service providers involved in the delivery of services associated with the program.
  • Planned and orchestrated special events and fundraising activities to raise awareness of foundation.
  • Collaborated with project leaders and stakeholders to accomplish objectives.
  • Assured grants met measurable benchmarks and complied with laws governing private foundations.
  • Conferred with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
  • Facilitated conflict resolution between parties involved in projects or initiatives associated with the organization's mission.

Associate, Laboratory Systems - FASTER

CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE (CHAI)
Lusaka
04.2020 - 03.2022
  • Lead efforts in scaling up of all laboratory systems related work streams under the CHAI - FASTER initiative.
  • Work with the Ministry of Health Laboratory services unit and other stakeholders to expand rational uptake of POC EID and Viral load testing for timely HIV diagnosis and monitoring of treatment.
  • Assessed, activated, and supported a total of 16 laboratories for POC EID testing.
  • Coordinated monthly reporting and presentation of Point of Care EID testing performance on behalf of MoH Laboratory services unit at national level.
  • Part of the subcommittee that developed of the Ministry of Health National Point of Care testing Guidelines.
  • In collaboration with MOH and partners, support HIV and POC EID/VL commodity quantification and supply chain management systems.
  • Support MoH and other implementing partners in identifying and addressing barriers to EID/VL data use.
  • Worked with the laboratory services unit and APHL to develop a web based National EID/VL dashboard that showcases the viral load and EID laboratory testing performance and improves national visibility on the HIVVL program including testing Turnaround time.
  • Lead efforts in designing and implementation of Health Care worker (HCW) mentorship, quality assurance SOPs, and commodity monitoring tools.
  • Conducted regular Technical supportive supervision to 50 CHAI- FASTER supported sites in laboratory HIV testing, Point of Care EID and viral load testing and adherence to Standard operating procedure.
  • Working with a team of stakeholders, I facilitated the development of the National verification guidelines for new testing technologies to standardize the laboratory verification procedures.
  • Support implementation and evaluation of novel HIV testing approaches aimed at improving paediatric and adolescent case-finding.
  • Spearheaded engagements with MoH stakeholders on the adoption of HIVST in children aged 2-11 years old during the covid 19 pandemic.
  • Assessed, trained, and implemented HIVST in children in 4 provinces across the country which led to the inclusion of the testing modality for children in the Zambia consolidated guidelines.
  • Support strategies to improve the integrated courier system for sample referral and results return in 50 FASTER supported sites.
  • Provide monthly implementation updates to global HQ teams.
  • Lead the efforts to streamline regulatory approval for diagnostic equipment and commodities.
  • Developed the guidelines for approval of laboratory equipment and commodities that streamlines the regulatory process.
  • Publications Participated
  • National Guidelines for approval of laboratory equipment and commodities.
  • National Guidelines for the verification of new testing technologies.
  • Guidelines for Multi disease testing in Zambia.
  • The National Viral load implementation plan.
  • National Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Manual.
  • New Hope foundation webinar - Presentation on the use of HIVST in children during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Knowledge sharing webinar (Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria) - Presentation on Regulatory approval for diagnostic equipment.

Provincial Laboratory coordinator

RIGHT TO CARE - EQUIP ZAMBIA
Luapula
08.2018 - 04.2020
  • Provide leadership and information on EQUIP support in providing laboratory services in all supported health facilities in Luapula Province.
  • Coordinate the operations of the molecular laboratory in Mansa district and 9 hub laboratories across Luapula Province by ensuring all laboratory equipment are always in perfect working condition and all testing are commodities well stocked.
  • Spearhead the development and enforcement of the use of standard operating procedures for all test procedures conducted in all 10 EQUIP supported laboratories.
  • Implementation of the Quality Management System according to ISO 15189 standards in Mansa Molecular laboratory for accreditation purposes.
  • Assessment, implementation, and coordinate operations of eLABS, in 7 districts on Luapula province covering a total of 64 facilities. eLABS is a laboratory information system that tracks the HIVVL value chain from sample collection to results return via a mobile application.
  • Continuous training of all health care workers in in the use of eLABS devices.
  • Root causes of inefficiencies in the viral load value chain are identified and resolved.
  • Develop and implement strategies for viral load and early infant diagnosis demand creation in 64 facilities to ensure the last 95 of the UNAIDS goals are met for recipients of care.
  • Provide weekly feedback on utilization of HIVVL results among clinicians and health facility staff to Provincial Director.
  • Provide mentorship on good laboratory practice and technical assistance to supported facilities on diagnosis and treatment of HIV and TB.
  • Coordinate the running of the integrated sample courier system across the luapula Province.
  • Collaborate with M&E on monthly HIVVL and EID data collection, analysis, and report submission.
  • Work with relevant technical support partners i.e. WITS University and National Health Laboratory Service of South Africa and stakeholders like Ministry of Health, ZAMMSA and other country implementing partners.
  • Preparations and submission of eLABS and molecular laboratory monthly budget projections to finance.
  • Publications participated
  • Molecular Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
  • African Society Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) LabCop EHCO session May 2019 session - Presentation on improving VL data management through LIMS for better program monitoring and results communication and results utilization.

Medical laboratory Technologist - Laboratory Safety Officer and Viral load Champion

MINISTRY OF HEALTH ZAMBIA
Kalomo District Hospital (Request Muntanga District Hospital)
01.2017 - 07.2018
  • Provision of diagnostic services in both inpatient and outpatient departments in serology, Microbiology, haematology, blood transfusion and parasitology.
  • Mobile viral load collection in rural areas of Kalomo conducted in conjunction with University of Maryland.
  • As district viral load champion, I was responsible for preparation and shipment of all viral load and EID samples from all 30 facilities in the district, including dispatch of results.
  • Orientation of enforcement of correct sample collection and handling in rural laboratories.
  • As laboratory safety officer, I was responsible for the implementation of the laboratory safety manual and ensure compliance.
  • Conducting of Performance Assessment for rural health facility laboratories.
  • Conduct routine Viral load, CD4 and Biochemistry sample collection and processing for ART department.
  • Conduct routine Quality Control on all laboratory equipment.
  • Smear preparation for TB and Malaria microscopy.
  • Laboratory reagent preparation.
  • Preparation of HIV and laboratory R&R reports.

Phylogenetic Laboratory Technologist

ZAMBART PROJECT - PopART study
Chimwemwe Clinic Kitwe
05.2016 - 12.2016
  • Explain the phylogenetic study to newly enrolled clients (New ART clients) and laboratory procedure to be undertaken on them.
  • Collect demographic information on the newly enrolled clients.
  • Collection and preparation of phylogenetic study blood samples for shipment to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom.
  • Perform CD4, renal and liver function tests on all enrolled phylogenetic study clients ensuring all tests are run with strict adherence to standards operating procedures and good laboratory practice.
  • Ensure all study commodities are in optimal supply, accurate stock count and consumption data is maintained.
  • Conduct daily Quality Control procedures on all machinery, ensure procedure is documented and filed.
  • Perform all other laboratory tasks assigned to me at the facility I was stationed.

Education

BSC - Biomedical Sciences

The Copperbelt University
School Of Medicine, Ndola Compus.
12-2025

Diploma - Biomedical sciences

Evelyn Hone College
01.2015

Skills

  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Self-directed work ethic
  • Adaptability and commitment
  • Quick learner and team player
  • Multitasking under pressure
  • Time management and prioritization

References

  • Ms Namwaka Mungandi Mulenga, Program Manager - Laboratory Systems, CHAI ZAMBIA, 0977158323
  • Mr. Mpasela Felton, Program Manager - Paediatric HIV, CHAI ZAMBIA, 0977521124
  • Mr. Saukani Kanyika, Laboratory Technical Advisor, RIGHT TO CARE - EQUIP ZAMBIA, 097949738
  • Ms. Ethel Chitalu, Laboratory Manager, ZAMBART PROJECT, 0963612453
  • Michael Mohka, Laboratory Supervisor, Ministry of Health, 097722991

Timeline

Senior Program Officer, Laboratory Systems (SARS COV2 AND PROJECT STELLAR)

CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE (CHAI)
04.2022 - 03.2025

Associate, Laboratory Systems - FASTER

CLINTON HEALTH ACCESS INITIATIVE (CHAI)
04.2020 - 03.2022

Provincial Laboratory coordinator

RIGHT TO CARE - EQUIP ZAMBIA
08.2018 - 04.2020

Medical laboratory Technologist - Laboratory Safety Officer and Viral load Champion

MINISTRY OF HEALTH ZAMBIA
01.2017 - 07.2018

Phylogenetic Laboratory Technologist

ZAMBART PROJECT - PopART study
05.2016 - 12.2016

BSC - Biomedical Sciences

The Copperbelt University

Diploma - Biomedical sciences

Evelyn Hone College

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Lindiwe N. Nchimunya