Meet Pamela Miloya Godia, a dynamic public health specialist and esteemed alumni of LSTM.
Pamela completed her PhD in Tropical Medicine at LSTM in 2012, following her successful master's Degree in Public Health at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She chose LSTM for its renowned faculty and the opportunity to work with her supervisor, Prof Nynke Van Den Brooke. Inspired by her desire for career progression, Pamela embarked on her PhD journey, determined to make a lasting impact in her field.
During her time at LSTM, Pamela's commitment and dedication were recognised and rewarded with a scholarship from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Ministry of Health, Kenya. This support alleviated financial burdens, allowing her to fully immerse herself in her studies. With stable funding for her fees and living expenses, Pamela could focus her energy on conducting in-depth research and expanding her knowledge.
At LSTM, Pamela thrived in an international training environment, forging friendships and connections with scholars from around the globe. These interactions not only broadened her perspective but also fostered a lifelong network of professional relationships. Her time at LSTM instilled in her the importance of collaboration and cross-cultural understanding in tackling global health challenges.
Upon graduating from LSTM, Pamela returned to the Ministry of Health in Kenya, where she took on various roles, including Manager for the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as the Gender and Reproductive Health and Rights Programmes. Eager to continue making a difference, she then joined Carno Emerging Markets as an Intervention Manager for the Private Sector Innovation Programme for Health (PSP4H). This project, funded by UKAid, aimed to leverage market systems to improve access to healthcare for the working poor. Pamela's focus on Maternal and New-born Health and Reproductive Health Service Delivery helped pioneer innovative approaches in pro-poor health interventions.
Driven by her passion for reducing maternal mortality, Pamela re-joined LSTM as a Senior Technical Officer to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in Kenya. Her expertise played a pivotal role in establishing a system for Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death (CEMD), resulting in the production of the first-ever CEMD report for Kenya. Her ground-breaking work not only shed light on the challenges but also paved the way for evidence-based solutions and policy recommendations.
Throughout her career journey, LSTM has played a transformative role in shaping Pamela's skills, confidence, and personal goals. The institution's comprehensive training program nurtured her independence and self-assurance, allowing her to excel in her endeavours with minimal supervision. LSTM's emphasis on practical learning and research equipped her with the necessary tools to navigate complex health systems and spearhead impactful initiatives.
When asked about her time at LSTM, Pamela fondly recalls the vibrant international community and the connections she made. She advises prospective students to stay focused on their studies, seize opportunities to network and collaborate, and explore the rich cultural offerings of Liverpool City and the United Kingdom.
Currently, Pamela serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Public and Global Health at the esteemed University of Nairobi. With over 15 years of experience leading and managing public health programs, her expertise encompasses Primary Health Care, Global Health, Health System Strengthening, and Social Science and Health. Pamela's profound understanding of operational and implementation research, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, has made her a sought-after consultant for baseline surveys and project evaluations in Kenya, across East Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa.