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Governance and leadership

Governance & Leadership

Scientific direction, public accountability and institutional continuity.

NHRTI institutional governance delegates and strategic leadership meeting

The National Health Research and Training Institute (NHRTI) is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister responsible for Health, pursuant to the National Health Research and Training Institute Act No. 13 of 2024. The Board sets strategic direction, exercises fiduciary oversight, and ensures institutional adherence to governance standards, statutory mandates, and national health priorities.

Group photograph supplied with NHRTI governance materials
Governance & Leadership

Overview

The National Health Research and Training Institute (NHRTI) is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister responsible for Health, pursuant to the National Health Research and Training Institute Act No. 13 of 2024. The Board sets strategic direction, exercises fiduciary oversight, and ensures institutional adherence to governance standards, statutory mandates, and national health priorities.

Meet the Board of Directors

Board Committees

To maintain rigorous oversight across specialized operations, the Board executes its statutory duties through dedicated standing committees:

Finance & Administration Committee (FAC)

Directs financial policy, budgetary controls, administrative operations, and resource allocation.

Audit & Risk Committee

Oversees internal control systems, enterprise risk frameworks, statutory audit compliance, and financial reporting.

Expert Advisory Committee (EAC)

Delivers technical and scientific counsel to the Board regarding strategic research agendas, training priorities, and scientific policy.

Executive Management · Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Gershom Chongwe

The Director-General serves as Chief Executive Officer, leading the day-to-day administration and strategic execution of NHRTI under the delegated authority of the Board of Directors.

Executive Management

Executive leadership comprises key operational and scientific directorates leading institutional administration and strategic execution:

Head of Administration

Leads corporate support services, operational logistics, and institutional governance; serves as Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Administration and support

Head of Public Health & Epidemiology

Directs population health interventions, epidemiological research, and broad public health programs.

Public Health and Epidemiology

Head of Biomedical Sciences

Oversees laboratory research initiatives, technical operations, and specialized biomedical investigations.

Biomedical Sciences

Head of Clinical Sciences

Guides clinical trials, clinical research, and patient-centered health studies.

Clinical Sciences
NHRTI executive leadership and Board members convening in governance council session
Leadership connected with practice

Supporting the institute’s scientific work

Scientific departments and administration bring complementary responsibilities to research, clinical and laboratory services, and training.

Explore how NHRTI’s departments connect laboratory findings, clinical studies and population evidence.

Explore our departments