Zambia
Lusaka, Kabwe, Kitwe and Ndola
- Women’s and Newborn’s University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka / University of Zambia
- Professor Bellington Vwalika (PAPAGAIO Country Lead)
- Ndola Teaching Hospital
- Dr Sebastian Chinkoyo
- Kitwe Teaching Hospital
- Dr Victor Sichone
- Kabwe General Hospital
- Dr Alexande Kawimbe
- Dr Gabriel Mulimbi
Women’s and Newborn’s University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka / University of Zambia
Professor Bellington Vwalika
PAPAGAIO Country Lead | Obstetrician | Gynaecologist | Epidemiologist | Researcher | Health Leader
Professor Bellington Vwalika is a Zambian obstetrician, gynaecologist, and epidemiologist. He serves as a Consultant at the University Teaching Hospital, Professor at the University of Zambia, and Research Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Professor Vwalika is long-standing collaborator in the University of Zambia–King’s College London (UNZA-KCL) Maternal Health Collaboration and is a lead investigator on key maternal health studies including Cradle-4, Pineapple Zam, and the PAPAGAIO Trial in Zambia, which focus on improving the detection and management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality.
He has successfully led numerous clinical trials
Professor Vwalika has been instrumental in introducing and scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) across Zambia. An evidence-based intervention that enhances survival rates among preterm and low birth weight infants. Through his work in clinical research, national policy development, and regional training initiatives, Professor Vwalika continues to drive innovation and capacity building in reproductive, maternal, and newborn health across Africa.
Ndola Teaching Hospital
Dr Sebastian Chinkoyo
Kitwe Teaching Hospital
Dr Victor K.P. Sichone
Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Victor K.P. Sichone is a Zambian, currently serving as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Kitwe Teaching Hospital. He also serves as Honorary Lecturer at Lusaka Apex Medical University and the Copperbelt School of Medicine. He holds a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology (MMED) from the University of Zambia and is a Fellow of the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery (FZCMS).
He recently underwent a 3-month Merck Foundation Advanced ART Immersion Training Program at Oasis School for Human Embryology and Reproductive Medicine at Hyderabad, India.
Dr. Sichone’s career spans over clinical work, post graduate training, leadership and international research collaborations. He is deeply committed to reducing maternal and perinatal mortality through research and innovation. He led research on hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV coinfection in pregnant women, published in the Medical Journal of Zambia (2019), Co-authored studies on trends and socioeconomic determinants of unsafe abortion in Zambia, supported by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). He served as Co-Principal Investigator for the CRADLE-4 Trial (2021–2022), and PINEAPPLE-Zam project (2023–2024), Multicenter Trials focusing on pre-eclampsia management in low-resource settings.
He is currently Site principal investigator for the PAPAGAIO Study (Preterm Pre-eclampsia: Placental Growth Factor Testing for Reduction of Adverse Outcomes) overseeing ethical compliance, data collection, and stakeholder engagement at the Kitwe site.
Dr Sichone is also actively involved in shaping national health policy as a trainer for Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR). His involvement in Training of specialist under professional bodies like the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) underscore his regional influence.
Kabwe General Hospital
Dr Alexander Kawimbe
Dr Gabriel Mulimbi
Bios
Dr Mukape Mukape
I am a dedicated medical doctor with dual specialisations in Obstetrics-
Gynaecology and Human Anatomy. I hold four degrees (BSc.HB, MBChB, MSc, MMed) from the University of Zambia (UNZA). I am also a Specialist Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery. Furthermore, I am a PhD candidate and Research Fellow in Maternal Health,Department of Women and Children’s Health, Kings Colllege, London.
I am an early career researcher with a profound interest in maternal health and clinical human anatomy research, teaching, and capacity building. I am a lecturer and clinical researcher at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine.
I endeavour to substantially enhance global obstetric health outcomes via clinical research, evidence-based clinical practices, capacity building, and collaborations. Particularly, my focus is on reducing preeclampsia-related maternal and fetal complications in low-resource settings. Because of this interest,my PhD is focused on developing and validating a biobank for pre-eclampsia biomarkers in low and
middle-income countries (LMICs).
Sandra Mubiana
Certified Midwife and Maternal Health Researcher
Sandra Mubiana is a certified midwife whose professional profile is grounded in clinical excellence, research expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing maternal health outcomes. Her work reflects a strong dedication to evidence-based practice and a passion for driving innovation in midwifery care.
Sandra’s involvement in several high-impact research studies underscores her leadership in the field. In the Cradle 4 Trial, she contributed her expertise to a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving prenatal and postnatal care through innovative approaches. Her role in the Pineapple Study demonstrated her commitment to exploring novel interventions to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes. Meanwhile, her contributions to the PAPAGAIO Study have highlighted her skill in designing and implementing impactful research projects that contribute to meaningful advancements in maternal healthcare. Sandra’s work positions her as a thought leader in midwifery, with a clear focus on improving care through rigorous research and practical application.
Dr Andrew Shennan
Chief Investigator
Andrew Shennan is Professor of Maternal and Fetal Health and Head of Department, Women’s and Children’s, at King’s College London. He is based at St. Thomas’ Hospital and is Medical Director of South London Research Delivery Network. He sits on the NIHR Global health research board.
He specialises in clinical trials in antenatal and intrapartum care and is passionate about developing mid-career researchers. His research interests include interventions to predict and prevent preterm birth and pre-eclampsia and he specialises in innovations to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality, especially in low and middle-income settings.
He has recently advised the House of Lords, NHS England, FIGO and the WHO. He is chair of the WHO StepMag Trial Steering Committee. He has published over 700 peer reviewed research reports (H index 75). He currently leads two award-winning NIHR Global Health Research Groups, based in Africa, India and South America.
He has an active clinical role in managing high risk obstetric patients, including a regular hands-on labour ward commitment, and a multi-award-winning specialist preterm birth surveillance clinic that accepts national and international referrals. He was the inaugural recipient of the international Newton Prize for excellence in research and innovation in support of economic development and social welfare in low and middle-income countries. He was awarded an OBE for services to maternity care and is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Aaron Tembo
Research midwife
Aaron Tembo is a research midwife based at Kabwe Central Hospital under Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. He has vast experience with research, been on the incredible cradle 4 trail, pineapple zam study and now PAPAGAIO
Aaron is a trained EmOC provider, a trainer of trainers for preceptorship, a certified preeclampsia champion trained in helping mothers survive preeclampsia, eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and helping babies breath, trained and certified in advanced management of adult and neonatal resuscitation.
Tabita Mtonga
Research fellow
Tabita Mtonga is a graduate of The University of Zambia, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health. Tabita has been working as a research assistant and research fellow on the PAPAGAIO Project since March 2025. At the moment, she is primarily involved in the PAPAGAIO Project and contributes to various research-related activities.
Dr Mukupa Mwenya
Research fellow
Dr. Mukupa Mwenya is a graduate of the University of Zambia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology (BScHB) and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). She is committed to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes and currently serves as a Research Assistant on the PAPAGAIO Project, which focuses on advancing care for women and babies affected by pre-eclampsia.
Josephine Miti
Josephine Miti is Midwife with great passion for midwifery and vast experience in Midwifery practice and research. Josephine is currently working as a Research Midwife at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Before devoting her work to full time research midwife, Josephine worked as a Ward manger in Antenatal / Postnatal ward and labour Ward at University Teaching Hospital. Josephine is a trainer of trainers in Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal care (EmoNC) and has trained Doctors, Midwives and others support staff countrywide. She is a Champion of Abridged EmoNC which has helped reduce Maternal and Neonatal mortality and has since been adopted in Zambia. As a Mentor and team player she has worked with various Organizations and Community Health support groups in educating women/families in reproductive health.
Her greatest passion is prevention of maternal complications and bringing healing to mothers who are undergoing a stressful experience.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and is currently pursuing a Masters in Women and Child Health at University of Zambia.
Mercy Kopeka
Mercy Kopeka is a self-driven Peri-Operative Nurse with vast Operative/ Clinical Nursing experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She currently works as a Research Nurse at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Having worked as a professional nurse for 23 years, she has held various management positions both in Public and Private institutions. These working placements and positions have given her an opportunity not only to practice Nursing but also to teach and mentor others.
As a Public Health Specialist and Research Nurse her research interests are in Maternal and Child health, Ethical issues surrounding women and children and Health policy. With her great interest in Maternal and Child Health, she was part of the team Championing Abridged EmoNC at its inception. And as Research Nurse she has contributed to research work on KCL Research Projects in Zambia for the past 9 years.
Her desire is have inclusive Maternal Health Care provision, making the VOICE LOUD to the Health care providers that just that one simple thing can Help improve Women and their Children’s Health space.
She holds a Nursing Diploma, an Advanced Diploma in Theatre Nursing, Bachelor of Art Degree in Development Studies and a Master of Science in Public Health.