THOMAS YAW AYENSU ESSEL
Accra
Summary
Results-driven Health Program and Digital Health Leader with over 3 years of experience implementing largescale health and non-communicable disease (NCD) programs across Ghana. Holds a Master's degree in Health Informatics with proven expertise in digital health systems deployment, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), data-driven decision-making, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Demonstrated success in leading nationwide program rollouts, strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving data quality, and supporting evidence-based scale-up of donor-funded initiatives. Passionate about leveraging technology and data to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Results-driven Deployment Lead with a proven track record of highly productive and efficient task completion. Specialize in software deployment, project management, and process optimization. Excel at communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to achieve project goals. Committed to delivering high-quality results on time and within budget.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Technology Coordination & Deployment Lead
Medtronic LABS
Accra
01.2024 - Current
- Coordinated deployment of SPICE digital health platform updates across 70+ facilities under AKOMAPA and Novo iCARE Programs.
- Provide routine/on-demand technical support i.e user account management and troubleshooting to all SPICE enabled facilities.
- Provide user account management support for program reporting dashboards access.
- Led training-of-trainers sessions for health workers and field teams on new updates and feature enhancements of SPICE suite.
- Developed and implemented standardized deployment SOPs.
- Coordinated successful archival of inactive AKOMAPA facilities, streamlining monitoring and improving reporting efficiency.
- Built capacity of over 500 health workers leading to increased user confidence and adoption of digital health platform.
Monitoring & Evaluation / Data Support Associate
Medtronic LABS
Accra
06.2023 - Current
- Lead capacity building and refresher training sessions on program reporting dashboards for stakeholders to improve data use for efficient monitoring and evidence based decision making.
- Conduct data quality audits, developed M&E SOPs, and aligned indicators across implementation and research teams.
- Support adaptive program management through timely analysis and reporting.
- Designed and led baseline assessments across 145+ GHS health facilities to guide site selection for the NOVO iCARE Diabetes Care Strengthening Program.
- Successfully designed and deployed Score Card Matrix which provided guidance to site selection for the NOVO iCARE Diabetes Care Strengthening Program.
- Key contributor in abstract/poster presentation submitted during the 5th National MCHN Conference 2025 which highlighted the impact of digital tool adoption on improved clinical outcomes of enrolled pregnant women.
- Improved accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of program reporting.
Regional Field Operations Lead
Medtronic LABS
Accra
03.2022 - Current
- Currently lead implementation of the NOVO iCARE Diabetes Care Strengthening Program across 14 GHS Health facilities (7 each from Kumasi and Tarkwa Nsueam Districts)
- Led implementation of a large-scale digital NCD program across 35+ health facilities in 8 regions, aligned with national health priorities under the AKOMAPA HPT/DM Project.
- Manage and supervise cross-functional field teams to support facility onboarding, clinic optimization, and digital health adoption.
- Coordinate engagement with Ghana Health Service (GHS), CHAG, Regional and District Health Directorates, and other key stakeholders.
- Develop work plans, budget, oversee distribution and restocking of clinical supplies, and ensure compliance with program requirements.
- Revitalized NCD clinic in 15+ health facilities under AKOMAPA HPT/DM Project, improving service delivery and continuity of care.
- Strengthened institutional partnerships, supporting long-term program sustainability.
- Improved operational efficiency through collaborative program planning and health system led supportive supervision.
- Successfully led data/ performance review meetings contributing to improved digital tool adoption rate (over 70 percent), patient follow up rate (more than 60 percent) in supervised facilities under the NOVO ICare DM Strenthening Program (April-Dec, 2025)
Programme Officer
PACKS Africa
Accra
06.2020 - 12.2020
- Supported the Supporting Pandemic Planning & Response project.
- Assisted in program design, stakeholder engagement, and qualitative data collection.
- Contributed to evidence informing national pandemic preparedness strategies.
Data Analyst
PACKS Africa
Accra
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Conducted quantitative and qualitative data analysis for health programs and research initiatives.
- Supported feasibility studies, proposal development, and evidence-based program design.
Research Assistant
University of Ghana
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Supported biomedical and health technology research projects.
- Conducted literature reviews, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
- Co-authored peer-reviewed journal publications.
Education
Master of Science (MSc) - Health Informatics
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Ghana01.2024
Professional Diploma - Database Technology
IPMC
Ghana01.2023
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Biomedical Engineering
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana01.2017
Skills
- DHIS2
- SPSS
- STATA
- Python
- PowerBI
- NVivo
- Kobo Collect
- Google Forms
- SQL Developer
- OriginPro
- SPICE
Accomplishments
- Program Impact: Spearheaded onboarding of Hubs and Spokes in Ashanti & Western Region (training, kitting, SPICE account setup), positioning facilities for service delivery under NOVO iCARE Program.
- Systems Strengthening: Coordinated successful archival of inactive AKOMAPA facilities, streamlining monitoring and improving reporting efficiency.
- Recognition: Led a winning team at the maiden Digital Health Africa Students Bootcamp - Community Innovation Challenge (2023).
- Scholarship Achievement: Beneficiary of Fondazione Edu Scholarship Scheme (2013-2017).
Timeline
Technology Coordination & Deployment Lead
Medtronic LABS
01.2024 - Current
Monitoring & Evaluation / Data Support Associate
Medtronic LABS
06.2023 - Current
Regional Field Operations Lead
Medtronic LABS
03.2022 - Current
Programme Officer
PACKS Africa
06.2020 - 12.2020
Data Analyst
PACKS Africa
08.2018 - 12.2019
Research Assistant
University of Ghana
07.2017 - 08.2018
Master of Science (MSc) - Health Informatics
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Professional Diploma - Database Technology
IPMC
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Biomedical Engineering
University of Ghana
References
- Kwabena Asante Offei, Country Lead- BD & Partnerships, Medtronic Labs Ghana
- David Ebo Anderson (PhD), Assistant Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering Department, Koforidua Technical University
- Akwasi Obeng Appiah, Manager, Technology and Innovation, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Research And Publications
- The Impact of Device Age on Phototherapeutic Efficacy in Neonatal Jaundice Management, Peer-reviewed publication, 2025
- Impact of Digitally Enabled Hypertension and Diabetes Care in Pregnancy: Evidence from the SPICE-Supported Diabetes and Hypertension Care Strengthening Programme in Ghana, Poster Presentation, 2025
- Analyzing the capacity of Healthcare Systems to manage the growing burden of NCDs: A case study in the Ejisu municipality, 2024
- Adherence to Anti-Hypertensive Medication amongst Women attending the Antenatal Clinic at the VRA Hospital, 2022
- Assessing the Association between Hand Hygiene and Incidence Of Neonatal Sepsis at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, 2021
- Healthcare Professional's knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Adverse Drug Reaction reporting in Pediatric settings: a cross-sectional survey, 2021
Leadership Experience
- Youth President, Fountain of Life, Assemblies of God-Ghana, Mobilized and empowered youth through mentorship, leadership training, and outreach programs.
- District Youth Secretary, Ablekuma-Gbawe Youth Ministry, Coordinated district-wide youth programs, strengthening participation and community impact.
- Assistant Class Representative, University of Ghana Biomedical Engineering Dept., Advocated for peers' academic and welfare needs.
- Organizing Secretary, Assemblies of God Campus Ministry, Coordinated large-scale campus events, improving engagement and fellowship among students.
Languages
- French
- English, Fluent
- French, Basic (Reading, Writing, Speaking)
References
- Kwabena Asante Offei, Country Lead- BD & Partnerships, Medtronic Labs Ghana
- David Ebo Anderson (PhD), Assistant Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering Department, Koforidua Technical University
- Akwasi Obeng Appiah, Manager, Technology and Innovation, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Research And Publications
- The Impact of Device Age on Phototherapeutic Efficacy in Neonatal Jaundice Management, Peer-reviewed publication, 2025
- Impact of Digitally Enabled Hypertension and Diabetes Care in Pregnancy: Evidence from the SPICE-Supported Diabetes and Hypertension Care Strengthening Programme in Ghana, Poster Presentation, 2025
- Analyzing the capacity of Healthcare Systems to manage the growing burden of NCDs: A case study in the Ejisu municipality, 2024
- Adherence to Anti-Hypertensive Medication amongst Women attending the Antenatal Clinic at the VRA Hospital, 2022
- Assessing the Association between Hand Hygiene and Incidence Of Neonatal Sepsis at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, 2021
- Healthcare Professional's knowledge, attitude, and practice towards Adverse Drug Reaction reporting in Pediatric settings: a cross-sectional survey, 2021
Leadership Experience
- Youth President, Fountain of Life, Assemblies of God-Ghana, Mobilized and empowered youth through mentorship, leadership training, and outreach programs.
- District Youth Secretary, Ablekuma-Gbawe Youth Ministry, Coordinated district-wide youth programs, strengthening participation and community impact.
- Assistant Class Representative, University of Ghana Biomedical Engineering Dept., Advocated for peers' academic and welfare needs.
- Organizing Secretary, Assemblies of God Campus Ministry, Coordinated large-scale campus events, improving engagement and fellowship among students.