My name is MVONG Vendeline Amaelle Goretti, a native and resident of Cameroon – Cameroonian nationality.
*From my academic background, I hold:*
– A Higher National Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences obtained at the Biaka University Institute of Buea-Cameroon;
– A Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences obtained at the Biaka University Institute of Buea-Cameroon;
– A Master’s degree in public health, option epidemiology, obtained at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde -Cameroon; and
– A Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology, option Public Health currently underway (subject to completion in June 2023) at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaounde -Cameroon.
*Regarding my professional experience:*
🔸Actively, I am a Research Assistant for the DTECT project since October 2022 in Doyala-Cameroon. This project is led by Elisabeth Glasier Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
🔸Previously:
-Firstly, I worked as a vitamin A supplementation intern associate for the GIVEWELL vitamin A supplementation project at
Helen Keller International, Ebolowa (Cameroon) from 10/05/2022- 09/07/20 ;
– Secondly, I participated in the quantitative and qualitative survey on COVID-19 SEROPREVALENCE ( during the 1st and 2nd rounds) as an investigator and medical laboratory technician. The survey was conducted by MINSANTE, Africa CDC, La Croix Rouge Camerounaise, Epicentre, Yaoundé (Cameroon) from 28/08/2022
and from 18/08/2021- 30/08/2022 ;
– Thirdly, from 23/12/2021- 05/02/2022,
I was part of the medical staff involved in infection prevention and control during the Total Energy CAN.
– I also participated in several surveys with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, MINSANTE and the World Health Organization where I acted as an investigator, data clerk and independent monitor during the national immunisation day,… to name a few;
– Finally, during my master 2 in public health, I was part of the rapid response and investigation teams against Covid-19 since the arrival of the first positive case on 4/04/2020 in the Eastern region until March 2021 and then deployed in the regional delegation of public health of the centre from April 2021 to April 2022 still in the same function. Also as a trainee in these structures, I was able to acquire through my curiosity and determination to enrich my knowledge in public health notions on Vaccine Preventable Diseases as well as infectious diseases at the level of the Health Information System located at the regional delegation of public health of the centre.
* Training related interest:*
In the WHO call to action of 30/01/2023 to overcome Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), these constitute a diverse group of diseases of bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal origin. Their epidemiology is complex and often linked to environmental conditions. Many of them are vector-borne, originate from animal reservoirs, are associated with complex life cycles and are neglected diseases because they affect only the poorest countries in the world: all these factors make the fight against NTDs difficult in terms of public health. WHO estimates that more than 1.7 billion people need interventions for at least one NTD each year (Tropical Medicine, 2022). Also, Neglected Tropical Diseases according to the 2017 annual report, represent a public health burden for developing countries and a priority for the Cameroonian Government. It is therefore in the wake of the above-mentioned elements that, from the outset; passionate about research and interventions in public health, in this case on infectious diseases linked to poverty in developing countries, particularly neglected tropical diseases, I wish to perfect my knowledge on these themes in which I have an undeniable interest and which is consistent with my professional objectives. Also, aware of the commitment that this training requires, I am ready and determined to be one of many researchers who will act quickly to work, hand in hand, towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 and to end the NTD epidemic by 2023.
I quote: “It is time to act now, to act together and to invest in NTDs,” said Dr Tedros.
