CISM, managed by The Manhiça Foundation, a private non-profit foundation, is a consolidated
research center, highly specialized and with a strong capacity for research on transmissible
diseases prevalent in Mozambique, with particular focus on the main causes of morbidity and
mortality in the country (malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and bacterial diseases). CISM has a
long-standing history of over 30 years of collaboration with local communities, fostering
connections between experts and stakeholders.
The support from the social science team has been essential in ensuring that all programs are
well-received and that communities are actively engaged throughout the project lifecycle. The
institution has a well-established community engagement team, including community liaison
officers and health workers, all with extensive field experience in community sensitization and
mobilization.
CISM, in line with the national program NTD, has advanced in the development of studies for
controlling and combating NTDs, specifically in the establishment of platforms for monitoring
anthelmintic resistance, new diagnostic tools, as well as new drugs, which include combinations
of promising drugs for eliminating NTDs (STOP Project, Global Health EDCTP3 JU).
Apart from community interventions, CISM have also reached school-aged children in the
school facilities, which aligns with the WHO Roadmap 2030. From the organizational
framework, CISM has a training guided by a training policy, with experience in providing
capacity building to southern African countries and has established partnership with other
organizations. CISM will lead WP5 and contribute greatly to WP3 to support the development
of the integrated control of T. solium, including the other NTDs (WP4), as well as coordination
of the short and long-term training in the project scope (WP5). Also, the visibility of the project
will be reflected internally through the advocacy, communication, and dissemination unit
(WP6). CISM will also in part contribute to WP7.
Our talented team
Meet the people behind the project
Valdemiro Novela
Valdemiro Novela is a Junior Researcher and Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Diseases sub-area at Manhiça Health Research Center, in Mozambique. He holds a BSc in Biology and is currently completing an MSc in Public Health at Eduardo Mondlane University. He has experience in the management and coordination of public health and NTD studies, intervention implementation, epidemiological surveillance and clinical trials, with a focus on soil-transmitted helminth infections and environmental health.
Sónia Mocumbi
Sónia Mocumbi is a Mozambican expert in international cooperation, policy advocacy, and institutional communication, with extensive experience at the interface of research, policy, and advocacy in Europe and Mozambique. She leads Inter-Institutional Relations, Advocacy, and Communication at the Manhiça Health Research Centre. She has expertise in governance coordination, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, institutional visibility, and sustainability.
Nércio Machele
Nércio Machele is a Mozambican professional with extensive experience at the interface of research, policy, and advocacy in Mozambique. He leads Inter-Institutional Relations, Advocacy, and Communication at the Manhiça Health Research Centre, with expertise in governance coordination, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, institutional visibility, and sustainability.
