Thelma Teley Aphour
Accra
Summary
Results-driven Principal Public Health Officer (Disease Control) and field epidemiologist with 20 years of experience in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and immunization programs. Led the design and implementation of effective disease prevention strategies and public health interventions. Developed and monitored health programs to enhance community wellness while ensuring regulatory compliance. Proven strengths in communication, team collaboration, and data analysis, contributing to improved health outcomes through targeted interventions.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Public Health Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
Accra
01.2021 - Current
- Lead the Disease Control Unit, overseeing surveillance, outbreak response, and immunization programs.
- Conduct outbreak investigations and recommend strategic interventions for disease control.
- Led tuberculosis control program, increasing case detection and achieving better treatment outcomes.
- Supervised and evaluated disease surveillance activities, enhancing local response to health threats.
- Provided technical guidance on disease prevention and control, strengthening capacity of health staff and municipal committees.
- Coordinate Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and ensure vaccine availability and cold chain management.
- Analyse epidemiological data to inform public health decisions.
- Lead research team of the Municipality to conduct implementation research to improve service delivery.
- Lead the development of tools and checklists to monitor health interventions.
Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
Accra
01.2009 - 01.2021
- Spearheaded disease control programs, enhancing surveillance systems for communicable diseases and enabling quicker interventions.
- Managed epidemic response, coordinating mass vaccinations and emergency logistics planning to mitigate disease spread.
- Led disease control and surveillance unit, ensuring timely response to outbreaks.
- Provided technical support and training for health staff on disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness.
- Supervised immunization campaigns and improved vaccine distribution efficiency.
- Coordinated malaria and TB programs, enhancing detection and treatment rates.
Technical Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
Accra
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Led TB control efforts, increasing case identification by X% and enhancing treatment adherence.
- Coordinated disease surveillance and immunization activities, ensuring timely responses to outbreaks.
- Managed vaccine forecasting and cold chain logistics, ensuring vaccine availability and integrity for immunization programs.
- Conducted data analysis and reporting, informing health interventions.
Education
Master of Philosophy - Applied Epidemiology & Disease Control
University of Ghana
Ghana01-2023
Advanced Level Competency - Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
University of Ghana
Ghana01-2023
Bachelor of Education - Health Science Education
University of Cape Coast
Ghana01-2016
Diploma - Community Health (Disease Control)
Rural Health Training School
Kintampo, Ghana01-2005
Skills
- Epidemiology
- Infectious disease control
- Disease surveillance
- Epidemiological investigation
- Surveillance management
- Outbreak investigation
- Emergency preparedness
- Emergency response
- Vaccine logistics
- Public health policy
- Program management
- Program Implementation
- Program evaluation
- Program support
- Data analysis
- Quantitative research
- Health informatics
- Surveillance systems
- GIS
- Epi Info
- Stata
- Excel
- DHIMS
- Analytical thinking
- Reporting analysis
- Data gathering
- Team Management
- Team oversight
- Leadership
- Training coordination
- Training
- Community engagement
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Behavioral interventions
- Population health assessment
- Effective communication
- Skills development
- Training coordination
Research And Conferences
- 8th AFENET Scientific Conference, Mombasa, Kenya—Surveillance Data Analysis of Uncomplicated Malaria in Pregnancy in Private Health Facilities, i-Poster Presentation, Accra, Ghana, Region, Ghana, Poster Presentation, Accra, Ghana.
- 6th GFELTP Scientific Conference, Accra, Ghana—Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Solid Waste Collectors, Poster Presentation, Accra, Ghana, Dec 2023,
- 8th AFENET Scientific Conference, Mombasa, Kenya- Surveillance Data Analysis of Uncomplicated Malaria in Pregnancy in Private Health Facilities, i-Poster Presentation, Accra, Ghana,
- 5th GFELTP Scientific Conference, Accra, Ghana- Evaluation of the Integrated Neglected Tropical Diseases Surveillance System, Ho, Ghana.
- Utilization of 18s ribosomal RNA LAMP for detecting Plasmodium falciparum in microscopy and rapid diagnostic test-negative patients, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275052.
- Diarrhea-Causing Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Resistance Patterns Among Diarrhea Patients from Ghana, Front.Microbiol.13:894319.doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.894319.
Languages And Digital Proficiency
English, DHIMS 2, Stata, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS, Data Visualization
Awards
Presidential Honour for Distinguished Service, Frontline and Allied Health role played during COVID-19 Outbreak
Certifications And Short Courses
- GHS Financial Management Protocols, GHS, 2023
- Management and Facilitation of After Action Review (AAR), WHO, 2022
- Leadership and Management in Health, University of Washington, 2020
- Monitoring and Evaluation in Global Health, University of Washington, 2020
- Implementation of IDSR vCOP to Support Disease Surveillance, WHO, ECHO, 2020
- Middle-Level Managers Training for Expanded programme on Immunization Managers, 2025
Fellowships And Scholarships
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) – Training of Epidemiologists in Disease Outbreaks and Epidemic Response in sub-Saharan Africa (TEDOER-SSA) Fellowship, 2022-2023
Timeline
Principal Public Health Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
01.2021 - Current
Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
01.2009 - 01.2021
Technical Officer (Disease Control)
Ghana Health Service
01.2006 - 01.2009
Master of Philosophy - Applied Epidemiology & Disease Control
University of Ghana
Advanced Level Competency - Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
University of Ghana
Bachelor of Education - Health Science Education
University of Cape Coast
Diploma - Community Health (Disease Control)
Rural Health Training School