
Dr. Isabel Kazanga Chiumia
Isabel Kazanga Chiumia is a health systems researcher and senior research fellow at the Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU). She also serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Health Systems and Policy at the School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu College of Health Sciences (KUHeS). Dr Chiumia holds a PhD in global health from Trinity College Dublin and a joint master’s degree in health systems from the University of Verona, University of Deusto, Corvinus University of Budapest, and Vilnius University. Her educational background also includes a BSc in Nursing and a certificate in Midwifery from the University of Malawi.
Dr. Chiumia has extensive experience in teaching, research, and consulting in health systems and policy, public health, health workforce, quality management, RMNCH and project management. She has contributed to health workforce strategic planning and policy changes in Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and the Africa Region. She has previously served as the deputy dean of students at KUHeS and was a board member of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi. Additionally, she is a member of national and global health workforce groups and serves on the editorial boards of Health Policy Open and Public Health Challenges of Wiley. Dr. Chiumia has completed numerous assignments for organizations such as WHO, World Bank, Global Fund, African Union, UNICEF, USAID, Euro Health Group, and others.
- Mwenebanda, , Machado, A., Patel, A.I., Nyondo-Mipando, L., Kazanga-Chiumia, I. Factors influencing antenatal care attendance in the eight contact era policy: a case of selected maternal health service facilities in Blantyre, Malawi. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 24, 704 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06895-0
- Nyawela Nyibil, Gideon Kikuvi, Isabel Kazanga Chiumia, Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors Associated with Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya (scirp.org). Open Journal of Epidemiology, 14, 221-237. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojepi.2024.142015
- Sakala, , Chawani, M.S., Kazanga-Chiumia, I. et al. Functionality of technical working groups in enabling evidence-informed decision-making within Malawi’s Ministry of Health: a cross-sectional qualitative study. Health Res Policy Sys 21, 44 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-023-00987-7
- Mauluka, , Stones, W., Chiumia, I.K. et al. Exploring a framework for demandable services from antenatal to postnatal care: a deep-dive dialogue with mothers, health workers and psychologists. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 390 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05722-2
- Mendulo, , Chiumia, I.K. The state of cervical cancer screening in imprisoned women in Malawi: a case of Maula Prison. BMC Women’s Health 23, 198 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02349-5
- Banda, , Nkungula, N., Chiumia, I.K. et al. Tools for measuring client experiences and satisfaction with healthcare in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of measurement properties. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 133 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09129-9
- Joseph Mfutso-Bengo, Nthanda Nkungula, Emmanuel Mnjowe, Wingston Ng’ambi, Faless Jeremiah, Florence Kasende- Chinguwo, Fanuel Meckson Bickton, Dominic Nkhoma, Jobiba Chinkhumba, Sebastian Mboma, Lucky Ngwira, Mercy Juma, Isabel Kazanga-Chiumia, Pakwanja Twea, Gerald Manthalu,Proposing the “Value- and Evidence-Based decision making and Practice” (VEDMAP) framework for Priority-Setting and knowledge translation in low and Middle-Income Countries: A novel framework for Decision-Making in Low-and middle income countries like Malawi,Health Policy OPEN, Volume 4, 2023, 100094,ISSN 2590-2296, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpopen.2023.100094.
- Joseph Mfutso-Bengo, Faless Jeremiah , Florence Kasende-Chinguwo , Wingston Ng’ambi, Nthanda Nkungula , Isabel Kazanga-Chiumia. et al. A qualitative study on the feasibility and acceptability of institutionalizing health technology assessment in BMC Health Serv Res, 353 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09276-z
- Kangwerema, A, Miggo, M, Harawa, G, Kazanga-Chiumia I et al. Tackling noncommunicable diseases in Africa through football: The case of Public Health Chall. 2023; 2:e64. https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.64
- Daniel Chiumia, Pilirani Chisembe, Chimango Mlowoka, Samson Mwalungila, Isabel Kazanga Chiumia, Francis Harold Kasangu, (2023) Farmers’ perception on the potential impact of Coronavirus disease on their livelihood in Malawi, Scientific African, Volume 20, 2023, ISSN 2468-2276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01686
- Chikaphupha R, O’Byrne., T, Nyondo-Mipando, L., Kazanga-Chiumia, I., Finn, M., and Vallières F. (2022), Systems Thinking in the Context of Decentralisation and Human Resources for Health: Lessons from Malawi (Book Chapter). Systems Thinking for Global Health – Frédérique Vallières; Hasheem Mannan; Naonori Kodate; Fiona Larkan – Oxford University Press (oup.com)
- Ahmat A, Okoroafor SC, Kazanga I, et al .(2022). The health workforce status in the WHO African Region: findings of a cross-sectional BMJ GlobalHealth 2022;7:e008317. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008317
- Kazanga Chiumia I, Mosiwa BA, Nkhonjera J, et Emerging public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi: A review. Public Health Chall. 2022;1:e40. https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.40
- Ramponi F, Twea P, Chilima B, Nkhoma D, Kazanga Chiumia I, Manthalu G, Mfutso-Bengo J, Revill P, Drummond M, Sculpher Assessing the potential of HTA to inform resource allocation decisions in low-income settings: The case of Malawi. Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 28;10:1010702. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1010702. PMID: 36388387; PMCID: PMC9650047.
- Kazanga-Chiumia, , S., Nayupe, Kazanga, B., Munharo, S., Patel, P., Jassi, P.B., Phuka, J., (2022). Malawi polio outbreak: What next? Public Health Chall https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.19
- Mauluka C, Chiumia IK, Maliwichi L, Stones W. Assessing the Impact of Client Knowledge and Demand on Service Provision from Antenatal to Postnatal Care – An Implementation Science Design. Research Square; 2022. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1724403/v1.
- Lucero-Prisno, DE, Kouwenhoven, MBN, Adebisi, YA, Miranda, AV, Dawa Gyeltshen, D, Suleman, MH, Kazanga Chiumia, I, et Top ten public health challenges to track in 2022. Public Health Chall. 2022; 1:e21. https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.21
- Mauluka, , Stones, W., Kazanga Chiumia, I., Maliwichi, L., & Damte, T. (2022). A Community Intervention Package of Demandable Services for Improving Care Practices in Antenatal, Labour and Post-Natal Care. The Journal of Development Communication, 33(1), 32-44 https://jdc.journals.unisel.edu.my/index.php/jdc/article/view/226
- Saheed Akinmayowa Lawal, Isaac Adedeji Medical, Ago-Iwoye, Isabel Kazanga Chiumia et al, (2022). Putting an end to this virus: Practical and ethical issues inAfrica, EJAIBVol. 32 (4) July 2022 www.eubios.info ISSN 1173-2571,ISSN 2350-3106 https://www.eubios.info/EJAIB72022.pdf
- Mphande-Namangale, , Kazanga-Chiumia, I. (2021). Informal payments in public hospitals in Malawi: the case of Kamuzu Central Hospital. glob health res policy 6, 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-021-00225-z
- Mzumara, , Chawani, M., Sakala,M., Mwandira, L., Phiri,E., Milanzi, E., Phiri, M., Kazanga, I., O’Byrne,T., Zulu, E., Mitambo, C., Divala, T., Squire, B., Tam, P., )2021), The health policy response to COVID-19 in Malawi. BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e006035. https://doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006035
- Ninsiima, R., Chiumia, I.K. & Ndejjo, R. (2021) Factors influencing access to and utilisation of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Reprod Health 18, 135. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01183-y
- Munthali, , Chiumia, I.K., Mandiwa, C. et al. (2021) Knowledge and perceptions of preconception care among health workers and women of reproductive age in Mzuzu City, Malawi: a cross-sectional study. Reprod Health 18, 229. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01282-w
- Ng’ambi1, , Kazanga Chiumia, I , Chagoma, N., Mfutso-Bengo, J (2020). Factors Associated with Uptake of HIV Testing in Malawi: A Trend Analysis of the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey Data from 2004 to 2016. J HIV AIDS Res 2020; 2(1): 101https://www.iomcworld.org/articles/factors-associated-with-uptake-of-hiv-testing-in-malawi-a-trend-analysis-of-the-malawi-demographic-and-health-survey-dat.pdf
- Kazanga, , Munthali, A. C., McVeigh, J., Mannan, H., & MacLachlan, M. (2019). Predictors of Utilisation of Skilled Maternal Healthcare in Lilongwe District, Malawi International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 8(12), 700-710 https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2019.67
- Kazanga I. Adolescent and youth health in Africa: highlights some of the key health issues affecting adolescents and youth in Africa and strategies to address Africa Health Journal. 2019; https://africa-health.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/AH-2019-April-21-chiumia.pdf
- Mfutso-Bengo J, Manda-Taylor L, Jumbe V, Kazanga I, Masiye In: ten Have H., Gordijn B. (eds). Handbook of Global Bioethics. 2014. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2512-6_37
- Chirwa M, Thomas S, Kazanga I, Faedo Promoting universal protection: contracting faith-based health facilities to expand access- Lessons learned from Malawi. Health Research Policy and Systems Journal. 2013;11(27) http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/11/1/27
- Kazanga I, Tameni S, Piccinotti A, Floris I, Zanchetti G, Polettini A. Prevalence of drug abuse among workers: Strengths and pitfalls of the recent Italian Workplace Drug Testing (WDT) legislation. Forensic Science International Journal. 2012 9;215(1-3):46-50 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.009
- Myness Kasanda Ndambo, Kristine Bærøe, Kamija Samuel Phiri, Isabel Kazanga Chiumia, Inger Lise Teig4, Bjarne Robberstad, Oddvar Martin Kaarbøe, Jobiba Chinkhumba, Thandile Nkosi- Gondwe, Tinashe Alinafe Tizifa, Elisabeth Mamani-Mategula, Lumbani Munthali, Lucinda Manda-Taylor, Conceptualising the Implementation of Post-discharge Malaria Chemoprevention in Malawi using a co-design approach, Malaria Journal (In press)
Dr Isabel Kazanga Chiumia is part of the evaluation team for the District Financing Facility (DFF) Evaluation in Malawi. DFF is an intervention designed to direct health funds to primary health providers, to enhance efficiency in the health sector. The Ministry of Health engaged the HEPU, KUHES to evaluate DFF effectiveness.
She is also currently a co-investigator for the Post-discharge Malaria Chemoprevention (PDMC) Implement Project which is being implemented collaboratively by the Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), University of Bergen, and Ministry of Health. PDMC is newly recommended by World Health Organisation for malaria prevention in children with severe anaemia and is currently being piloted in Malawi
She has been engaged by the World Health Organization (WHO) to support African countries (Malawi, Zambia, and Uganda) in conducting health labor market analyses (HLMA) and population needs-based health workforce modeling. This work aims to quantify the need and supply of the health workforce to inform planning and policy.
Dr Kazanga Chiumia was also recently engaged by Snow Inc. and the Ministry of Health to conduct research aimed at identifying gaps in the implementation of Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA-SC) for scaling up in Malawi. DMPA-SC is an innovative family planning method (self-injection contraceptive) available to women in several countries, including Malawi.
- Research Excellence Award by Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (2024)
- Grant Scholarship Award to participate in the Africa Science Leadership program at the University of Pretoria, South Africa (2018)
- Travel Grant Scholarship award to participate in the Emerging Voices for Global Health Training program and the Fourth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Vancouver, Canada (2016)
- ARCADE Fellowship in Health Systems and Services Research (HSSR) for training in development of postdoctoral proposals and grant funding applications (2014)
- Health Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative (HRCSI) PhD Bursary Award by the National Commission for Science and Technology (2013)
- International Doctorate in Global Health Bursary Award by Irish Aid (2010-2014)
- Women Deliver Global Conference full scholarship award held in Washington DC, USA (2010)
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship award by European Union Commission (2008- 2010)
- DCF Travel Grant Award to attend the annual TIAFT meeting in Bonn, a joint meeting of the German speaking Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry (2010)
- Infection Prevention Programme Coordinator- Mchinji District Hospital won the National award for Infection Free Hospital (2008).