Ms Otridah Kapona

Laboratory Scientist-Communicable Diseases / AMR National Focal Point & Coordinator, Zambia National Public Health Institute.

Otridah is a Public Health Expert specialized in Communicable Diseases, with vast experience in Public Health Laboratory Systems development and strengthening, and diagnosis of infectious diseases. She spent the first 5 years of her career working on WHO and CDC funded TB/HIV AIDS Projects as a Laboratory/Research Scientist specializing in HIV/TB laboratory diagnosis and management, before joining the Ministry of Health as Laboratory Scientist.

Since 2016, she has been working with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) focusing on setting up Zambia’s first National Public Health Laboratory, strengthening laboratory capacity for AMR surveillance, QMS, IPC and Biosafety & Biosecurity. Otridah is currently serving as Zambia’s National Focal Point and Coordinator for AMR and has overseen the successful formulation, completion and launch of Zambia’s first 10-year Multisectoral NAP on AMR. She coordinates NAP implementation and support with line Ministries, Regulatory Agencies, and Civil Society organisations. She has also led the development and finalisation of Zambia’s first National Integrated AMR Surveillance Strategy, Antimicrobial Stewardship Policy and formulation of related policy documents. Otridah played a leading role in the drafting and finalisation of the AMR and Biosafety & Biosecurity components of Zambia’s NAP for Health Security and drafting of the Infection Control and Waste Management Plan for construction of a BSL 3+ National Public Health Laboratory under the AFRICA CDC Southern RCC Word Bank funded project. Otridah brings to the panel a wealth of experience and technical expertise as evidenced by her proven track record in supporting AMR NAP implementation in the African region. Her service as AMR technical lead during Zambia’s Joint External Evaluation of IHR core capacities and as subject matter expert on AMR for; SADC, WHO AFRO, ReAct Africa, Africa CDC, CSE and FIND is testimony of her outstanding work ethic and academic acumen.