Evelyn Chitsa Banda

Dr. Evelyn Chitsa Banda is a public health nurse specialist with vast experience in various portfolios, including public health in the Malawi Ministry of Health. A self-starter, as evidenced by her leadership in operationalizing the Ministry of Health's Zonal (Regional) health concept to its realization and taking a leading role in operationalizing the Public Health Institute of Malawi to its status. Evelyn has worked in various institutions, including District and Central hospitals, providing bedside nursing care. She also worked with the Directorate of Nursing in the Ministry of Health as a Public Health Nurse before joining the Central West Zone, which illustrated how Zones should operate. She was then transferred to the Public Health Institute of Malawi to assist in operationalizing it, where she works as a Deputy Team Leader. She is responsible for developing PHIM's strategic plans and coordinates with the Law Commission which is reviewing the Public Health Act that has established PHIM as a parastatal. She has also been pivotal in establishing the Public Health Emergency Operation Center, including leading in developing the PHEOC handbook. Her research interest is evidenced by her membership in the National Health Service Research Committee as a Deputy Chair and College of Medicine Research Committee member (July 2018- July 2022). She has also participated in various research activities, including being a Principal Investigator in some research projects, including the PROVE project.