Biography

Dr. Michel Gasana, MD, MPH, is a public health physician and global tuberculosis (TB) specialist with over 25 years of experience in TB, TB/HIV, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) programme implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. He previously served as Regional Medical Officer for TB and MDR-TB at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, where he supported 47 countries in translating WHO policies into practice, with a strong focus on integrated TB/HIV service delivery, decentralized diagnostics, and patient-centred models of care.

During his 15-year tenure as Director and National TB Programme Manager in Rwanda, Dr. Gasana led the scale-up of collaborative TB/HIV activities, including routine HIV testing for TB patients, TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV, and the integration of TB screening into HIV care platforms. He also oversaw the expansion of MDR-TB services and laboratory networks, contributing to improved case detection and treatment outcomes.

At the regional level, he has coordinated programme reviews, strategic planning processes, and operational research to accelerate the uptake of shorter, all-oral DR-TB regimens and strengthen TB/HIV co-management, pharmacovigilance, and digital monitoring systems. He currently serves as a senior global health consultant and leads UZIMA Health Initiatives, focusing on implementation research and innovative partnerships to close gaps in TB and TB/HIV diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. He is an author of peer-reviewed publications and an active contributor to international TB and HIV scientific forums.