Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai | Health Informatics | Best Researcher Award
Programme Manager | Njala University | Sierra Leone
Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai is a Sierra Leonean medical doctor and public health professional with expertise in field epidemiology and disease control. He currently serves as the District Medical Officer for Kailahun District, where he leads health system strengthening, disease surveillance, outbreak response, and community health interventions. With over a decade of medical and public health experience, he has played pivotal roles in managing infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola and COVID. His leadership in health service delivery, medical research, and policy implementation highlights his dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes in Sierra Leone.
Publication Profile
Scopus
ORCID
Education Background
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai’s academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both medicine and public health. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Medical Sciences in Santa Clara, Cuba, after completing pre-medical studies at the University of Sierra Leone. He pursued advanced epidemiology and disease control training at the University of Ghana, gaining both MPhil and Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program certification. He further enhanced his skills with an MPH from Njala University and specialized courses across Africa, including infection prevention, health facility management, and HIV/AIDS epidemiology. This combination of medical and epidemiological training shapes his expertise in public health.
Professional Experience
Throughout his career, Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai has held critical leadership and clinical positions within Sierra Leone’s health system. He currently serves as District Medical Officer in Kailahun, overseeing district-wide health planning, surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and epidemic preparedness. He has also served as a medical superintendent, associate lecturer at Njala University, and project officer with the International Organization for Migration, where he supported border health system strengthening after the Ebola crisis. His earlier medical practice includes roles as a medical officer and house officer in surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics. His career demonstrates a blend of clinical service, academic mentorship, and public health leadership.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai has earned recognition for his commitment to public health service and research. He has presented at major international conferences, including the International Epidemiological Conference in Mozambique and the GFELTP Scientific Conference in Ghana, where his work on maternal health and surveillance was acknowledged. His role as a technical lead in Sierra Leone’s COVID response, as well as his leadership in vaccination campaigns and epidemic preparedness, has been widely recognized by health authorities and international partners. These achievements highlight his standing as a respected figure in Sierra Leone’s medical and epidemiological community.
Research Focus
Dr. Desmond Maada kangbai’s research focus centers on infectious disease epidemiology, immunization safety, maternal health systems, and surgical outcomes in resource-limited settings. He has contributed to peer-reviewed publications addressing adverse events following immunization with novel oral polio vaccines, outbreak responses, and orthopedic surgical outcomes. His work highlights the practical challenges and opportunities in health systems of low-income countries, particularly in Sierra Leone. By blending clinical practice with epidemiological research, he provides evidence-based insights that influence public health decision-making and international health policy, making his contributions vital to both local and global health improvement.
Publication Top Notes
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Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) Outbreak Response With Novel Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), Sierra Leone’s Experience
Published Year: 2025
Citation: 1
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Adverse Events Following Immunization with Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2, and the Experience and Challenges of Reporting in Sierra Leone [Response to Letter]
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 3
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Adverse Events Following Immunization with Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2, and the Experience and Challenges of Reporting in Sierra Leone
Published Year: 2024
Citation: 5
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Evaluation of the treatment outcome of tibia shaft fracture by close reduction and internal fixation with interlocking intramedullary nail, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Published Year: 2023
Citation: 2
Conclusion
Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai is a committed physician, epidemiologist, and academic whose professional journey reflects a balance of clinical expertise, public health leadership, and impactful research. From managing Ebola patients at the peak of the epidemic to leading district-wide COVID response efforts, his career demonstrates resilience, leadership, and dedication to healthcare improvement. His academic contributions, teaching roles, and publications further reinforce his influence as both a practitioner and scholar. As Sierra Leone continues to strengthen its health system, Dr. Kangbai’s experience and research will remain integral to advancing public health outcomes and shaping effective epidemic preparedness strategies.