IkeOluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi (nee Sosanya), MB;BS, M.Cl.Sc, MPH, Ph.D, MD, FMCGP, FWACP, FAAS is a Professor of Epidemiology and Consultant Family Physician at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI) and University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan respectively. She serves as the Research Coordinator, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan from 2010 till date and is currently the Director of the Institute. She is also the Chairman of the UI/UCH institutional Research Ethics Review Board. Prof Ajayi has worked as physician for over 30 years and as public health expert for over 25 years.

She has published chapters in books and has over 180 publications in high impact journals. She is one of three editors to the first local textbook on Palliative Care in Nigeria. Prof. IkeOluwapo Ajayi is a very energetic, dedicated and highly focused academician of both regional and international repute.

Bernard is a passionate Medico-Legal and Human Rights Consultant working in the field of HIV for many years and championing the fight against stigma and discrimination relating to HIV and other diseases. With a vast experience in medical practice in both the public and private sector in Ghana he was touched with the plight of persons with terminal and debilitating diseases and level of care accorded them, if at all. He is both a member of the Ghana Medical Association and the Ghana Bar Association and has had a mixture of the practice of medicine and law over the past 13 years.

He has worked with various Organizations and held various positons and is currently working with EQUIP Health Ghana, Accra, where he is a Consultant/Doctor Advisor/Technical Expert, with his main responsibilities being; Training, Advising, and Providing Technical Assistance, Capacity Building and Mentorship to Implementers and Partners on HIV Differentiated Service Delivery, ART/PMTCT, Sexual and Reproductive Health and PrEP to national, regional and facility implementation teams, and Humans Rights support for PLHIV, Key Populations and Healthcare practitioners.   
As a member of the Institute of Directors (Ghana) he inculcates proper governance and administrative structure and processes in all his professional and organizational dealings. Bernard is a member of the Ghana Palliative Care Association and has also served on several boards. His rare skills and expertise make him a sought-after consultant in the area of medico-legality for which he consults for medical and legal practitioners as well as for law firms, healthcare and corporate Institutions

Frederick Kibbedi is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience in the accountancy profession. He is married with four children. He is the Staff Partner for PKF Uganda – one of the largest Accounting and Audit firms in Eastern Africa. He is a seasoned Rotarian (past Assistant Governor District 9211) and has held senior finance and accounting positions in various entities that report under the International Financial Reporting Standards before retiring into private practice. Frederick is also a trainer with expertise in tutoring students preparing for professional accounting exams.

He has served before as the Audit and Assurance Partner at AA & L Associates, a large indigenous firm of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda which merged with PKF Uganda in 2014. Frederick is the 8th President of the Council of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). He Chaired Professional Standards Committee of the Institute. The Committee is responsible for adoption, interpretation and implementation of IFRS and IFRS for SME in Uganda

Liz Gwyther is an emeritus associate professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT) where she established the Division of Interdisciplinary Palliative Care and Medicine within the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. Prof. Liz Gwyther has postgraduate qualifications in Family Practice and Palliative Medicine. She is a senior research scholar at UCT and contributes to the Division’s research projects as well as supervising masters’ and PhD students. She recently completed a part-time consultancy contract with the World Health Organisation working on development of Primary Care Tools and tools to support the integration of palliative care into health systems.  

She is chair of ehospice; a former CEO of Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA); past-chair of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA); and past-director on the boards of the National Hospice Palliative Care organisation in the USA, the African Palliative Care Association and Pain Society of South Africa. In 2007, she was awarded the South African Medical Association’s Gender Award for Human Rights in Health and the SA Institute of Health Managers Leadership in Health Systems award. She is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Pain & Symptom Management published in the USA

Dr Zipporah Ali has recently retired from the position of Executive Director of Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), a position she held for 15 years. She is the current chair of the NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK) and the Vice President of Africa Organization for Research & Training in Cancer (AORTIC) East Africa. Dr. Ali has been and continues to be involved in advocacy and creating awareness on pain relief and palliative care in Kenya for children and adults. She is an advocate for prevention of NCDs, as well as Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In her leadership role as the Executive Director for KEHPCA, she was very instrumental in fostering strong relationships with the Ministry of Health to integrate palliative care into government hospitals. She was also instrumental in advocating for palliative care to be included in the undergraduate medical and nursing schools in Kenya. Dr. Ali has been involved in a number of activities at the World Health Assembly (Geneva) and the UN High Level Meetings on Non-communicable diseases. Dr. Ali holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Nairobi, and Degree of Master in Palliative Care from the University of Dundee. She has received a number of awards in recognition of her work nationally and globally.

Lidia is a nurse by profession and has a PhD in nursing  from the Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brasil: UNIFESP. She is currently the National Coordinator of MOPCA (Mozambican National Association of Palliative Care), where she works as a focal point connecting with all national and international organizations working towards the integration of palliative care in the country. She also leads the design of all projects of the Association, the programmatic area coordination and supervision of implementation, raising the partnerships with other similar associations. Lidia is the main interlocutor with the MOH for Palliative Care for Palliative Care integration in the Medical University and Nursing Curricula.  

Lidai has also served on several organisations in Maputo including, ANEMO, The Nurses’ association of Mozambique, Academic Dean of ISCISA ((High level of Health Training Institute), and Lecturer, on General Psychology and Didactics in in the Nursing Institute of Health Sciences of Maputo (ICSM) and at the higher Institute of Health Sciences (ISCISA.

Experienced leader in the field of health and human rights, with deep expertise on palliative care, drug policy, HIV/AIDS, TB, key and vulnerable populations, and mental health. Twenty years of experience as a researcher, analyst, writer, advocate, technical assistance provider and funder in the field of health and human rights, with a proven track record of innovation and impact. Deep commitment to amplifying the voices of communities and organizations affected by human rights violations. Experience teaching, leading teams of researchers and advocates, and building deep partnerships with global and national organizations. Strong track record translating research into policy change. Fluency in English, French, Russian Spanish and Dutch. Nothing more to insert under read more here

Dynamic and results-driven public health, health systems strengthening and organisational development expert with more than 20 years of experience leading strategic initiatives, designing and implementing training and development programs, public health programs, human capital management and development, change management, government relations, and partnership-building efforts in South Africa and other African Countries. Adept at public health, policy development, advocacy, and engagement with governmental and multilateral institutions to drive impactful health and development programs. Currently serving as a Senior Independent Consultant and Organisational Development Practitioner shaping public health program implementation, organisational governance and compliance, policies on community health and sustainability, and forging partnerships with key stakeholders. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams of up to 100 members across 9 provinces in South Africa and in Mozambique, securing high-impact program management, and influencing policy.  

Countries of organisational development work experience

Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Tanzania.
 

Education and Academic Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine, specialist in Medical Oncology
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• University Diploma in Clinical Research
• University Diploma in Supportive Cancer Care (Université Paris-Descartes)
• Certification in Palliative Medicine (Hospice Africa Uganda)

Institutional and Academic Roles

• Vice-President, Fédération Francophone Internationale de Soins Palliatifs (FFISP)
• President of the association Volunteers for Palliative Care, Cameroon (VOPACA)
• Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala
• Coordinator of the University Diploma in Pain Medicine and Palliative Medicine, University of Douala

Engagement and Achievements in Palliative Care

• 2012 -2025: Facilitator since 13 years in the palliative care initiators course for French speaking countries organized by Hospice Africa Uganda 
• -2017: Opened a Palliative Care Unit at the Bonassama District Hospital (Douala), with a home-visit model
• 2024: With the support of ADESPA, initiated the creation of the Palliative Care Unit at the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital
• Founder of the association VOPACA (Volunteers for Palliative Care)
• Initiator of the ESOP FOSAL project: training of health professionals in 24 health districts of the Littoral Region, in partnership with APCA
• Contributed, with ADESPA and FFISP, to the creation of the first University Diploma in Pain Medicine and Palliative Care in Central Africa (University of Douala)
• Initiated, advocated for, and obtained from the Ministry of Public Health the opening of a laboratory for the reconstitution of oral morphine solution at the Douala General Hospital, improving access to essential opioids, with the support of the American Cancer Society and ADESPA

Publications and Research

Scientific works in oncology, supportive care, and palliative care

Main research areas:

• Needs and strategies for palliative care in Africa, supportive care in oncology
• Breast cancer and gynecological cancers (epidemiology, molecular subtyping, therapeutic outcomes)
• Socio-environmental factors (including radon) and public health

Personal Life

Married to Dr Mbassi Ndocko, physician, ophthalmologist, mother of 3 Children

Lois is an accomplished development specialist with over 20 years of leadership experience in global health, HIV, gender, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). She has served in senior roles across Africa and internationally, including as Executive Director of SAfAIDS for 16 years and currently as Director of External Relations at Frontline AIDS. With a strong background in health and community development, she has successfully managed multimillion-dollar programs, built strategic partnerships with global institutions, and driven high-impact advocacy. Recognized as a thought leader, Lois has contributed to global taskforces, authored influential publications, and won multiple awards, including Director of the Year for her outstanding leadership. She is also passionate about nurturing young women leaders, having designed and scaled leadership development programs that continue to shape the next generation of change-makers worldwide.