Director

Share this post

DR. JOHN ODERO ONG’ECH

Curriculum Vitae

OFFICE ADDRESS
Nairobi Reproductive Health Services:
Prof Nelson Awori Centre
Next to Nairobi Hospital
Ralph Bunch Road
3rd Floor Suite A2
PO BOX 26617-00504
Nairobi.
Office: 0706 069 808
Cell: 0722282449
Email: jongech@yahoo.com
Website: www.nairobireproductiveheallth.org

BACKGROUND EDUCATION
2005		Masters of Public Health(International Health
		Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana USA
2003		Master of Medicine in Obstetrics/Gynecology
		University of Nairobi, Kenya
1993		Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
		University of Nairobi, Kenya
OTHER TRAININGS
2008		Certificate, management and leadership
		University of California Los Angeles, USA
2008		Certificate, International Grants Management, CDC, Atlanta, USA
2009		Certificate, Principles of Research, University of Washington/NIH, USA
2011		Certificate, Responsible conduct of Research, University of Nairobi/University of Washington
2012		Certificate, Leadership Development Program(LDP), MSH
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
	2017- TO DATE	Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Chief Medical Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
	2016- TO 2019	Kenyatta National hospital (KNH) Deputy Director (Surgical Services)
	2012 – TO 2017	Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Senior Medical Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
	2011- TO DATE	Nairobi Reproductive Health Services, Chief Executive Officer
2010- 2015		Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya, Assistant Director and Head of Department for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	2003 – 2012	Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Medical Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

2003- TO DATE	University of Nairobi, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department, Kenya- Lecturer(Honorary)
2003 -2010	University of Nairobi, Senior HIV Technical Advisor.
2009- 2012	Elizabeth Glaser Paediatrics Aids Foundation (EGPAF), Kenya Country Research
	Point of Contact 2009 to 2012
2005- 2008	Senior HIV Advisor/Technical Director
2003- 2010	Head of HIV Research and Training, Kenyatta National Hospital
1995- 2003	Kenyatta National Hospital, Senior Medical Officer,
1993- 1995	Ministry of Health, Kisumu, Kenya, Medical officer

TECHNICAL SUPPORT/CONSULTANCIES

2004	University of Nairobi-CDC-Kenya; Designed PMTCT Training package for Intrapartum HIV testing, trained health care workers and implemented the first Intrapartum testing for PMTCT program in Africa
2004	Intrahealth international-Kenya(USAID funding); Designed PMTCT training
	package for private sector, trained health care workers and initiated the first PMTCT program in private sector in Kenya
2004	Intrahealth International –Ethiopia(USAID funding); Designed the PMTCT
	training package for National Master Trainers, trained the first PMTCT National
	Master Trainers for Ethiopia. Monitored the cascade of trainings in the region
2005	KCMC/EGPAF-Tanzania- Design PMTCT training package for Intrapartum HIV
	testing, trained staff, mentored them and initiated the first PMTCT Intrapartum HIV testing program in Tanzania at KCMC in Moshi
2008	HLSP(UNICEF Kenya funding); Evaluation of the safe motherhood project in Kenya
2009	USAID AIDS Population Health Integrated Assistance (APHIA) II E; Midterm project evaluation(HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, Reproductive health, TB, Malaria and MCH services project)
2009	International HIV alliance-Government of Sothern Sudan(GOSS)- PMTCT project- Adapting PMTCT training materials in the GOSS context using the first PMTCT national guidelines for Southern Sudan, training health workers in Juba (from several states) and Wau (from several states), providing technical support in implementation and supervision in several PMTCT sites in Southern Sudan.

2010	UNICEF Southern Sudan -Government of Southern Sudan- UNICEF Southern
	Sudan consultant;
	-Developed the country first PMTCT training package and the Country National
	PMTCT guidelines and strategic framework.
	-Lead consultant in adapting the WHO 2009 PMTCT and ART guidelines	in the
	Southern Sudan Context
	-Trained Master National PMTCT Trainers for all the states
2010	Somali- UNICEF Somali Consultant- Developed the country PMTCT policy ,
	clinical guidelines, Training package, implementation plan , Monitoring and
	Evaluation Tools
2010	UNAIDS-Kenya Government –UNAIDS Kenya Consultant for Universal Access
	Report development
2010	UNAIDS-Kenya Government- UNAIDS/TSF Consultant for developing	2010
	Kenya HIV/AIDS epidemic update
2010	FHI-Kenya Government- FHI Consultant for developing minimum package for HIV-
	Reproductive Health integration
2010	CDC-Government of Kenya, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation –
	Consultant for updating Kenya National PMTCT guidelines and Training curriculum
2010	CAFS-TSF-IGAD Inter Governmental Authority Development-CAFS- Consultant
	for capacity building on HIV-ART Protocol harmonization
2010	AB2000-NACCTOWA project- Capacity building for PMTCT Psychosocial support
	group, GIPA and quality assurance
2011	CAFS-NACC Kenya- Consultant for developing training Curriculum on GIPA and
	conducted Trainings targeting all key stakeholders nationally
2011	Tanzania- UNAIDS/UNICEF/TSF-Consultant for developing national guidelines for
	elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV
2011	Kenya Government-MSH consultant for developing devolved structure for
	reproductive Health.

HONORS & AWARDS
2015	Grand Leadership Award by Kenya Obstetrical & Gynecological Society of Kenya
	on Improving women health care in Kenya.
2013	Manager of the year (Company of the year awards-COYA-Kenya Institute of
	Management)
2009	US Embassy, Kenya, Alumni of the Month of Mach 2009, www.alumni.state.gov

2004	WHO Implementing Best Practice Initiative in Reproductive Health in Africa- Grand
	prize award for best PMTCT Program and Poster Presentation; June 19-24 2004,
	Entebbe Uganda.
2002	Hubert Humphrey Alumni Impact Award ,Institute of International Education (IIE),
	Washington DC,USA – HIV/AIDS Prevention and stigma reduction project.
2001	Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Award from the US Department of State
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2011 - 2019	Member of the Kenyatta national Hospital-University of Nairobi
	Ethics Research Committee
2008 -2010	Member of Data Safety Management Board(DSMB) for Valacyclovir in Pregnancy
	study
2004-2008	Member of Kenya Country Team, Implementing Reproductive Health, Best
	Practices in Africa, a WHO initiative
2003-2018	Member of Technical working Groups at the Ministry of Health’s NASCOP for
	PMTCT and HIV care and Treatment
2002-2008	Member of Hubert Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright Scholarship), Selection Panel
	at USA Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya
2001-2005	Member of America Public Health Association (APHA)
2003-2009	Member of Africa Centre for Clinical trials (ACCT)
1998- TO DATE	Member of Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society(KOGS)
1993 –TO DATE	Member of Kenya Medical Association (KMA)

RIGHTS OF ADMISSION:

Nairobi Hospital

Aga khan Hospital

Mater Hospital

MP Shah Hospital

Avenue Hospital

Nairobi Women Hospital

Coptic Hospital

KNH Private Wing

PANEL OF SERVICE PROVIDER FOR INSURANCES AND COMPANIES

I am in the panel ie:

GDC, KRA, NSSF

Heritage, KPLCo

AON MINET,SAHAM

CIC, FIRST ASSURANCE,

JUBILEE, BRITAM, KCB, PACIS

APA, NCCK, CO-OPERATIVE

MADISON, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,

RESOLUTION INSURANCE

AAR, UAP, PACIFIC

PARLIAMENT SERVICE COMMISSION

TRIDENT, KENGEN

PACIS, SANLAM, LIAISON

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS/PRESENTATIONS/POSTERS

Ong’ech J, Oyieke J, Gachoki A, Machoki J, Mbori-Ngacha D, Kiarie J. Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV; a multi-pronged testing approach to improve program effectiveness in Kenyatta National teaching and referral hospital. Abstract presented at XV International AIDS Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004.

Ferguson L, Kielmann K, Grant A, Watson-Jones D, Vusha S, Ong’ech J, Ross D. Reasons underlying client attrition between testing HIV positive in antenatal and delivery services and accessing HIV care and treatment services in Kenya. Abstract presented at 6th International AIDS Society Conference, Rome, Italy; July 2011.

Ferguson L, Grant A, Ong'ech J, Kielmann K, Watson-Jones D, Ross D. Linking women who test HIV positive in maternity services to HIV care and treatment services in Kenya: missed opportunities. Abstract No. WEPDE105 presented at 18th International AIDS Conference, Vienna, Austria, 18-23 July 2010.

John Odero Ong’ech; Maximizing reproductive possibilities and choices for women living with HIV – pre-conception care and the prevention of unintended pregnancies, Oral Presentation at XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., USA 25th July 2012.

BOOKS AND MANUALS DEVELOPMENT

2006	Community Facility linkages Manual(GIPA)-University of Nairobi Publication, Lead Author
2007	Essential Obstetric Manual; Ministry of health and Population council publication;
	Author of Chapter in HIV
2008	Kenya PMTCT National Guidelines ; NASCOP publication; Contributor
2009	Kenya PMTCT National Training curriculum; NASCOP publication; Contributor

COMPLETED RESEARCH SUPPORT

2013-2019 Concern Worldwide /Philips Foundation/UNICEF-Innovation for Maternal,Newborn and Child health-MAKER Project. Role: PI, John Ong’ech. USD 600,000

4/15/2011-4/15/2014 WHO-2011/141603-0/C6-TSA-024/FCH/CAH (PI, John Ong’ech)

Mobile phone technology for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV;

Acceptability,

Effectiveness and cost

Role: Principal investigator, USD 500,000

20/11/2011-20/12/2012 WHO-A65769 (PI John Ong’ech)

Enhancing the capacity of pharmacist and pharmacy workers to offer information and referral services on

Misoprostol for use in post abortion care in Nairobi, Kenya Role ; Principal investigator; USD 150,000

9/30/04 - 3/31/10 CDC –U62/CCU024526-01 (PI, James Kiarie), Capacity Building in the implementation of a comprehensive program to prevent mother to child HIV transmission at the University of Nairobi teaching hospitals. The overall goal of this program is to create a sustainable and quality PMTCT program in Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity Hospital that is be a national model for service provision and training.

Role: Senior Technical advisor in charge of program implementation, coordination, performance management and quality improvement, USD 1 678 700

9/30/04 - 3/31/10 CDC –U62/CCU024526-01 (PI, James Kiarie), Impact evaluation of the Kenya National PMTCT program. The study aims to determine the extent to which the PMTCT program in Kenya in Kenya is meeting its aims of preventing transmission from infected Mothers to their infants, preventing unwanted pregnancy among HIV positive women, preventing HIV infection among young women and linking HIV infected women, their infants and families to long term care and support

Role: Co-investigator in charge of study coordination and implementation; USD 1 500 000

2008-2010 EGPAF- (PI, John Ong’ech), Operations Research Grant award

USD 250,000

The study investigated the Provision of services and care for HIV exposed infants;
A comparison of the maternal and child health (MCH) clinic and the comprehensive
care clinic (CCC) models.

Role: Principal investigator

2008 IPAS-Private

Funding (PI, John Ong’ech).

USD 200,000 The study evaluated the status of Misoprostol drug in Kenya

Role: Principal investigator

9/30/07 - 3/31/09 CDC- U62/CCU024526-01 (PI, James Kiarie),

USD 500,000

Effectiveness of non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase–based antiretroviral therapy in women
previously exposed to a single dose of Nevirapine in pregnancy; a multi-country prospective
cohort study

Role: Co investigator

9/30/07 - 3/31/09 CDC –U62/CCU024526-01 (PI, James Kiarie)USD 250,000

How late is too late? Timeliness to scheduled visit as an anti-retroviral therapy adherence
measure in Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia.

Role: Co Investigator

9/1/02 – 09/30/08 CDC - program announcement 02074 (PI, Ruth Nduati), Impact of HAART on MTCT
and Mothers' Health
USD 2 000 000

This study aimed to determine whether providing women with anti-retroviral therapy during
breastfeeding protected their babies from HIV infection. Nested within it was a study to
describe the impact of HAART on quality and quantity of passive immunity conferred on
the infant.

Role: Co investigator

PUBLICATIONS

Moses M.Obimbo, Yan Zhou, Michael T. McMaster. Craig R. Cohen, Zahida Qureshi, John Ong’ech, Julius Ogengo and Susan J. Fisher. Placental Structure in preterm birth among HIV Positive versus HIV Negative women in Kenya, J Acquir Immune Defic. syndr. Volume 80 number 1, January 1, 2019.
L.P. Parmar, G.N Mwango, M.N. Wambugu, J.O. Ong'ech ;The umbilical artery Resistive index and the cerebro-placental Ratio as a predictor of adverse Foetal outcome in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy during third trimester; East Cent. Afri. Surg 2013 Vol 18
L. Jennings, J. Ong'ech, R. Simiyu, M.Sirengo, S. Kassaye;Exploring the use mobile phone technology for the enhancement of the prevention mother to child transmission of HIV program in nyanza Kenya; a qualitative study; BMC public Health 2013; 13; 1131
Laura FERGUSON, Alison D. GRANT, Deborah WATSON-JONES, Tanya KAHAWITA, John O. ONG’ECH, David A. ROSS ; Linking Women who Test HIV-Positive in Pregnancy-Related Services to Long-Term HIV Care and Treatment Services: A Systematic Review; Tropical Medicine & International Health;2012;17(5);564-580
Laura FERGUSON, Alison D. GRANT, John O. ONG’ECH, Sophie VUSHA, Deborah WATSON-JONES, David A. ROSS; Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV – Understanding Reported Coverage of Maternal Antiretroviral Prophylaxis and Vertical Transmission Rates ; British Medical Journal, Sex Trans Infect 2012;88;120-124
Laura Ferguson, James Lewis, Alison D Grant, Deborah Watson-Jones, Sophie Vusha, John O Ong’ech, David A Ross; Patient attrition between diagnosis with HIV in pregnancy-related services and long-term HIV care and treatment services in Kenya: A retrospective study; J Acquir Immune DeficSyndr 2012; 60: e90-97.
R.J.Kosgei, P.MNdavi, J.Ong’ech etal Symptom screen; diagnostic usefulness in detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV infected pregnant women in Kenya. Public Health action; 2011;http//dx.doi.org/10.5588/pha.11.004
Dao CN, Peters PJ, Kiarie JN, Zulu I, Muiruri P, Ong'echJ,Mutsotso W, Potter D, Njobvu L, Stringer JS, Borkowf CB, Bolu O, Weidle PJ. Hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypoalbuminemia predict an increased risk of mortality during the first year of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected Zambian and Kenyan women. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2011; 27:1-8.
Ong’ech J O, Hoffman HJ, Kose J, Audo M, Matu L, Savosnick P, Guay L. Provision of Services and Care for HIV-Exposed Infants: A Comparison of Maternal and Child Health Clinic and HIV Comprehensive Care Clinic Models. J Acquir Immune DeficSyndr. 2012 Sep 1; 61(1):83-9.
Blacher RJ, Muiruri P, Njobvu L, Mutsotso W, Potter D, Ong'ech J, Mwai P, Degroot A, Zulu I, Bolu O, Stringer J, Kiarie J, Weidle PJ. How late is too late? Timeliness to scheduled visits as an antiretroviral therapy adherence measure in Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia.AIDS Care 2010; 22(11):1323-31.
Stringer JS, McConnell MS, Kiarie J, Bolu O, Anekthananon T, Jariyasethpong T, Potter D, Mutsotso W, Borkowf CB, Mbori-Ngacha D, Muiruri P, Ong'ech JO, Zulu I, Njobvu L, Jetsawang B, Pathak S, Bulterys M, Shaffer N, Weidle PJ. Effectiveness of non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in women previously exposed to a single intrapartum dose of nevirapine: a multi-country, prospective cohort study. PLoS Med 2010; 7(2):e1000233.
Beard JH, Ndegwa S, Farquhar C, Ong’ech JO, Govedi F, Kiarie JN. Mode of delivery decisions among HIV infected mothers at an urban maternity hospital in Kenya. East Afr Med J 2010; 87(1):14-19
Judith Kose, John Ongech, Peter Savosnick ;2010; Using Laboratory Networks to increase access to Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment; HabanaHaba Technical bulletin 2010 March vol.1 issue 3;13/20
Ong’ech J, Omondi-Ogutu O, Machoki M, Khisa W, Kiare J. Knowledge, attitude and practice on perinatal HIV transmission and preventive measures among antenatal mothers at Kenyatta National hospital, Kenya. J ObsGynae East Central Afr 2005; 19:1-11.
Ong’ech J, Omondi-Ogutu O, Machoki M, Khisa W, Orero SO. Post abortion care services at Kenyatta National hospital, Kenya.J Obs/Gynae East Central Afr2005; 18:98-106

The Director