Biography

Dr Thato Chidarikire is a seasoned Public Health Professional and Medical Scientist with over two decades experience in HIV, TB, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis programming. She currently serves as Technical Lead for these programmes at the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in South Africa, where she provides normative guidance, policy alignment, and strategic leadership to the National Department of Health.

Her career spans more than 20 years, including 16 years in the HIV and AIDS and STIs Cluster at the National Department of Health, where she held senior roles such as Acting Chief Director: HIV and AIDS and STIs Cluster, Acting Chief Director: Child Health Cluster, and Director: HIV Prevention Programmes including HIV and STIs diagnostics. Dr Chidarikire has extensive expertise in clinical trials, research, and rapid diagnostics. She has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies and guidelines on HIV testing, prevention interventions such as PrEP, PEP, condoms, VMMC and STIs.

Holding a PhD in Virology from University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, she has chaired and co‑chaired several technical working groups, including WHO HTS Guideline Development Group and National HIV Think Tank. Dr Chidarikire is recognized for her results‑driven leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to advancing equitable, evidence‑based public health interventions.