Health systems research focuses on how health care is organised, financed, and delivered to improve access, quality, and outcomes. Engaging communities and stakeholders is critical to ensuring this research is relevant, ethical, and responsive to local needs. In this webinar, researchers from Tanzania, Rwanda, and Argentina will share their experiences and insights on community and stakeholder engagement in health systems research. Through real-world examples, they will discuss challenges faced, strategies used, and lessons learned in building meaningful partnerships. Join us for an engaging discussion on how effective engagement can strengthen both research processes and health system improvements.
Chair/ Moderator: Luis Felipe Arias Soto - Mesh Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean
Luis Felipe Arias Soto is the Mesh Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean Region. He is a Clinical Psychologist based at Etikos in the Dominican Republic. He has experience in research and engagement in mental health and violence prevention in school settings, in the use of digital tools in the treatment of Tuberculosis and in research ethics review. He has practical experience of working with low-income psychiatric patients and their families, and in community engagement. He is currently a member of the Etikos training and research unit with an interest in Implementation Research, Research Ethics and professional development of new researchers.
Speaker 1: Javier Roberti Researcher at INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY
Javier Roberti has a doctor in Social Sciences, a degree in Psychology and also studied Modern Languages. He is a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), at the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIESP), where he works on the implementation of interventions to improve the quality of antibiotic use in health centers. . He researches clinical practice implementation processes.
Speaker 2: Jean Pierre Musabyimana
A biologist, global Health researcher and data scientist, with MSc in Global Health Delivery, MSc in Biotechnology (health and Environmental options), Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and in public Health. Currently pursuing a PhD fellowship in applied Infection Biology focusing on malaria epigenetics. A working experience of 3 years in clinical research and evidence based health care, 9 years in clinical laboratory systems. Earned skills in designing and conducting clinical trials, quantitative and qualitative approaches of research in different areas such as drug development, hygiene and sanitation, evidence-based medicine (systematic reviews and meta-analysis). Licensed laboratory practitioner with working experience in molecular biology, genetics, outbreak investigation.
Speaker 3: Dunstan Bishanga
Dr. Dunstan Bishanga, a thought leader, PMD Pro–certified public health systems management expert and implementation scientist, has over 10 years of specialized service delivery and management experience managing and implementing large-scale, integrated health projects, studies and operations. His experience includes providing technical leadership and operations management to programs addressing maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, malaria, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, youth, and gender issues. He has successfully led complex health projects at Jhpiego, EngenderHealth, Mariestopes and FHI360. He is a seasoned leader in the health discipline with training and experiential learning in various leadership and management skills. Dr. Bishanga has more than 10 years of experience in conducting human subjects research and he has contributed to over 13 scientific publications including as a lead author.