Shahadu Shembla Sayibu

I have: a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty; Membership (or Specialist) from the Ghana College of Surgeons (MGCS) in Obstetrics and Gynecology; a Master of Science, Clinical Leadership and Management (MSc) degree from University of Ghana; an MPhil in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control (Advanced) degree from the University of Ghana plus United States CDC Competency Certification in Field Epidemiology; an Executive Certificate in Health Administration and Management (HAM) from GIMPA and Christian University; a Certificate of Training, Early Action Review: Planning and Implementation of the 7-1-7 Target for Early Detection, Notification and Response to Outbreaks; and a Certificate of training in INFODEMICS. I have applied these skills, competencies and knowledge to leadership positions such as Medical Superintendent (head of hospitals in Ghana in clinical care, public health and administration), and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Also, I was a member of the national committee in October 2022 that reviewed the draft document for Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) at Koforidua. I currently lead a team from the Northern Regional Hospital on supportive supervision to health facilities in the Tamale Metropolis on the Network of Practice where I provide technical training on what conditions to refer, and how to document all care and referral activities. Then I collect data and write reports for formal feedback. Furthermore, I am on the Regional Health Directorate team for supportive supervision on MPDRS where I lead in monitoring the implementation of mortality audit recommendations, while providing support for what to look for during audits. In public health I led some the hospitals (Walewale and Gushegu hospitals) to revive active case search and management for tuberculosis, HIV, AFP, leprosy; I intensified immunization activities for vaccine preventable diseases; and led school screening programs for senior high school (secondary schools) students. Also, I led contact tracing (usually being the lead counselor to contacts and seeking consent, or in some cases taking samples); and case management (reviewing, examining and appropriately managing cases) for TB, HIV, Covid-19, etc. I led a team tasked with planning, implementing and monitoring the spoke-and-hub strategy for Gene-Xpert diagnosis of TB, where I coordinated sample taking by facilities (spokes), presentation to Ghana Post and receipt at the destination laboratory (hub). Administratively, I led the Northern Region to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Medical and Dental Council and the Tamale Teaching Hospital to train Senior House Officers in the District Hospitals in Northern Region (and, later, other regions of Northern Ghana). This has been modified a few years ago so that selected District Hospitals now train doctors in residency (specialization). This has improved the number of doctors who train and agree to stay in these District Hospitals by up to 50% in Northern Region. I collaborated with UNICEF and established an ultra-modern neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Walewale Hospital; and with Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) to start a 150-bed capacity trauma center-inclusive hospital at Loagri on the Walewale-Tamale Road (almost complete). While clinically, I have led and achieved reduction in maternal mortality ratio (institutional and community) by up to 40% averaged over all hospitals, I multiplied OPD attendance and corrective or life-saving surgeries up to three-fold with corresponding revenue increase and infrastructural expansion in facilities where I took charge. I possess IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft office, Epi Info, STATA 16, Rayyan and RevMan (the last, I used for systematic review and meta-analysis). I possess knowledge and experience in Ghana Health Service policies and procedures governing the day-to-day running of the Service, quality assurance, clinical audits as acquired with the Ghana National Health Insurance Authority, and with CVS Pharmacies in USA. Lastly, I acquired many competencies from training with the Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (GFELTP).

Career Objectives: To improve health systems by implementing relevant policies while influencing change in existing or introduction of new policies to improve performance for the achievement of organizational and health sector goals. Furthermore, to manage any health care institution by providing strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals while also involving all relevant stakeholders with the aim of delivering quality, accessible and affordable health services to all, without discrimination (gender, religion, national origin, race, economic status). Lastly, to uphold the principles of the Concept of One-Health so as to solidify primary care as the bedrock of Universal Healthcare to catalyze the first two.

• In Walewale Hospital, as Medical Superintendent: I was part of Municipal’s Covid-19 contact tracing team: I counseled contacts before samples were taken (many times I took the sample myself), including prison in-mates with Covid-19. I was the lead clinician in case management, counseling, taking vitals, issuing medications. We created an electronic networking system in the Hospital and introduced electronic patient folder system that included accounts and administration. This improved record keeping, accountability, and contributed to optimum retrieval of revenue. We re-designed and renovated the old records outlet into Claims, Billing and IT Office, with modern electronic network. I Introduced daily morning clinical meetings to review maternal and child health care and mortalities, of the previous day, or earlier. We renovated the former Maternity Ward into a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from IGF, while lobbying UNICEF to equip it. This was a collaboration between us and UNICEF – hospital rebuilt a ward according UNICEF’s specification and UNICEF equipped. We renovated a two-bedroom quarters for Covid-19 treatment; renovated the former Male Ward into a new Maternity Ward; renovated the two theatres and equipped them. We created, equipped with electronic monitors and staffed a Recovery Ward at the theatre, and the Emergency ward. We created and operationalized a Specialist, and Wellness Clinics. I re-activated the various committees including Quality Improvement/Assurance, Drug and Therapeutic Committees, Staff Welfare Committee, and started management member-led night supervision over staff at the Hospital.
• While Medical a Superintendent at Gushegu District Hospital, March 2013 – September 2014: I am the first in the history of Northern Region to secure a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2014 between the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (MDC), Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) and Ghana Health Services (GHS) for the training of Senior House Officers (SHO) in the districts (outside the traditional teaching hospital setting), that is Gushegu District Hospital. I technically supported Acting Deputy Director Clinical Care, Northern Region, to introduce a Regional Policy on Motivation in 2016 to help attract critical staff such as Medical Officers, Midwives, Anesthetists and others to accept postings to deprived areas. I lobbied Turkish Embassy to donate a huge consignment of hospital equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars in 2014 and 2015 to the Gushegu District Hospital even while I was away on study leave at Ghana College of Physicians. We halved the institutional maternal mortality in Gushegu District Hospital by end of 2013 and maintained same while increasing ANC attendance, and institutional delivery. I led outreaches to actively search for and manage anemia. We set up a reward system for TBA who timely brought a laboring client to our hospital. I lobbied Regional Director, Upper East Region and Principal of Bolgatanga Midwifery School to get midwives posted to salvage the only midwife who was stationed at the Gushegu District Hospital. We started community outreach services in 2013 to educate all stakeholders about importance of nutrition in pregnancy and to actively screen for and manage anemia in pregnant women (as was done at Janga:- a case study of this was presented by UNICEF at Cape Town, RSA in 2015). I would give talks on anemia – how they can detect, prevent, or manage it; and the role of nutrition.
• While at Janga Hospital as Medical Superintendent, September 2011 – February 2013: I upgraded Janga Health Center to a Primary Hospital in 2011 within two months of posting. Zero maternal mortality in Janga Hospital. Started community outreach services to educate all stakeholders about importance of nutrition in pregnancy and to actively screen for and manage anemia in pregnant women. I would lead Community Health Nurses and give talks to at durbars to debunk some of the community-held myths on giving a child good nutrition. I lobbied stakeholders to obtain anesthetic machine, theater bed and blood banking fridge for Janga Hospital, then started surgical operations. I led in establishing ‘’reference and evidence-based’’ prescribing, and weekly clinical and quality assurance meetings.

• Clinical Care: Preconception and Antenatal care, Maternal and Newborn care
• Healthcare Management: Policy formulation and implementation; Leadership; and Quality Assurance in Healthcare
• Public Health: Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health; Malaria Elimination; Non-communicable diseases prevention
• Health Education: Teaching and supervising of health workers and students

• 12/20/23, Present, Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Northern Regional Hospital, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
• 06/2021, 12/15/23, MPhil Student and Resident, Ghana Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
• 02/2019, 05/2021, Medica Superintendent, Walewale Municipal Hospital, Walewale, Ghana
• 09/2017, 01/2019, Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tamale Central Hospital, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
• 09/2014, 09/2017, Resident Doctor, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
• 03/2013, 08/2014, Medical Superintendent, Gushegu District Hospital, Gushegu, Ghana
• 09/2011, 02/2013, Medical Superintendent, Janga Hospital, Janga, Ghana
• 07/2009, 01/2010, Prescription audit services/Pharm. Technologist, CVS Pharmacies, Texas, USA
• 07/2008, 06/2009, Resident Physician Family and Community Medicine, UT Southwestern at Dallas, Parkland Hospital, St. Paul Hospital, Texas, USA
• 01/2006, 12/2008, Volunteer, Hematology Laboratory and Pathology Services, Bronx, New York, USA
• 01/2005, 05/2008, Cardiologist’s assistant, University Medical Associates, Bronx, New York, USA

• 2017, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Pregnancy: A Case Study, Post-graduate Journal of Medicine, Ghana, Main author
• 2022, Food Hygiene Practices Among Food Vendors at University of Ghana Common Markets, 2022, Abstract presented at 5th GFELTP Scientific Conference and published, Main author
• 2022, Malaria Surveillance Data Analysis of Under-5 Malaria Cases Amidst Malaria Control Interventions in The Tamale Metropolis, 2017 – 2021, Abstract presented at AFENET 8th Scientific Conference, Main author
• 2023, Schistosomiasis Outbreak Investigation in Essuekyir Community, Cape Coast Metropolis, C/R, Ghana, 2023, Abstract presented at 8th AFENET Scientific Conference, Co-author
• 2023, Measles outbreak investigation in Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region, Ghana, 2023, Abstract presented at 6th GEFLTP Competency Graduation and International Conference
• 2023, Malaria Vector Resistance to Long-lasting insecticide-treated Bed Nets and its Impact on People Living in Sub-Saharan Africa – SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS, Abstract submitted for conference presentation

• Ghana Gynae Summit (Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Techniques)
• The Role of SGL2 in Management of Diabetes; Beyond HbA1C
• Management of VTE in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Infodemics training
• Emergency Public Health Funding (zoom from UHAS)
• Medical Negligence: when the tables turn
• Fifth Pre-eclampsia Symposium (at GCPS)
• Systematic Review Lectures (GCPS)
• Maternal Mortality Ratio (WHO Webinar)

Shembla

• Member, Ghana College of Surgeons
• Alumnus, Ghana Field Epidemiology Training Program (GFELTP)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• Member, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Alumni of Ghana (FELANG)
• Member, Ghana Medical Association (GMA)

• Place of Birth: Tamale
• Place of Birth: Northern Region
• Date of Birth: 04/25/76
• Marital Status: Married with four children
• Religion: Islam

• DR. KAREEM MUMUNI, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, +233 (0)244 671 595/0208 489 100, mumunikareem@yahoo.co.uk
• Dr. Basil B. Kaburi, Field Epidemiologist/Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, -, kbbenduri@gmail.com
• DR. PAUL H.A.K. ABIWU, Deputy Director Public Health, Ghana Health Service, Northern Region, Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, +233 (0)550531221, dr.paulabiwuhak@gmail.com
• DR. CHARLES LWANGA NOORA, Field Epidemiologist/Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, +233 (0)242209316, cnoora@afenet/nooralwanga@gmail.com

• Exercise: Walking, strolling, press-ups and jogging
• Reading: Novels; News
• Moving: Watching Nature Documentaries; Business and Entrepreneurship clips