Faculty of Medicine

One women’s quest to eradicate HIV infections in Mozambique

25 September 2017

After completing her Master of Public Health at UQ, Dr Ana Charles returned home to Mozambique with the desire to help people in her country to live healthier and more productive lives.

Using the skills gained from her MPH, Ana is actively contributing to Mozambique’s public health development with much of her work focused on increasing and supporting the expansion of HIV programs.

“The MPH has helped me to effectively communicate with diverse groups and since graduating, my qualification has attracted the attention of many potential employers and organisations keen for me to join their team.”

As former Coordinator of the Elisabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation and the current Program Provincial Manager for the Centre of Collaboration for Health (CCS) in Mozambique’s capital Maputo, Ana is making significant contributions in the prevention and elimination of paediatric HIV and AIDS by providing education, care and treatment for people living with AIDS.

Ana has also served in the Ministry of Health, where she was responsible for the capacity building of health professionals in Mozambique’s 11 provinces and contributed to several key health-focused studies, including research related to HIV and AIDS, and the H1N1 influenza virus.

She has also been involved in the development of some of Mozambique’s national policies, including the National Health Regulations and the National Regulations for Bottled Water.

With a varied and successful career to date, Ana credits her studies as not only equipping her with the skills and expertise to create change but also with transforming her thought processes.

“Studying the MPH at UQ has made me a stronger and more experienced person. I have become a very result-oriented and strategic thinker in my approach to tackling the public health challenges faced by my country,” she said.

Leading her colleagues by example to think outside the box, Ana promotes innovative ideas and participative management, and enjoys mentoring other Mozambicans in her field of expertise.

“I help others to pursue their dreams regardless of age, gender or professional pathway. This is part of the skill I gained while studying the MPH at UQ: to think broadly yet act locally.”

Learn more about UQ's Master of Public Health

 

For more stories from across the Faculty of Medicine, visit MayneStream, our content hub.

Master of Public Health stories