Institution
Amref Health Africa
Based in
Tanzania , Dar es Salaam
Languages
English
Short Bio
Dr. Ndekya Maria Oriyo is a public health expert with over 20 years of experience in global health, research, academia, and project management. She holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology from University College London (UCL) and currently serves as the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning at Amref Health Africa in Tanzania. In this role, she leads strategic M&E efforts, organizational learning, and research capacity building.
Previously, Dr. Oriyo held leadership roles at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), including Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affairs. She has extensive expertise in health research regulation, ethics, disease surveillance, and evidence dissemination. As an academic, she lectured Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College and contributed to research on respiratory pathogens.
A champion of the One Health approach, Dr. Oriyo contributed to Tanzania's One Health Strategic Plan (2021–2026) and serves as a One Health Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Office. She has led initiatives under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and International Health Regulations (IHR) and chaired the 1st Tanzania One Health Conference, promoting collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Dr. Oriyo has played a key role in developing national policies such as the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024–2029) and the National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (2023–2028). Her expertise spans biosafety, biosecurity, and antimicrobial resistance, complemented by her publications on infectious diseases, clinical trials, and health system strengthening.
Previously, Dr. Oriyo held leadership roles at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), including Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affairs. She has extensive expertise in health research regulation, ethics, disease surveillance, and evidence dissemination. As an academic, she lectured Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College and contributed to research on respiratory pathogens.
A champion of the One Health approach, Dr. Oriyo contributed to Tanzania's One Health Strategic Plan (2021–2026) and serves as a One Health Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Office. She has led initiatives under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and International Health Regulations (IHR) and chaired the 1st Tanzania One Health Conference, promoting collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Dr. Oriyo has played a key role in developing national policies such as the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024–2029) and the National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (2023–2028). Her expertise spans biosafety, biosecurity, and antimicrobial resistance, complemented by her publications on infectious diseases, clinical trials, and health system strengthening.