Blessing Kanengoni

PeerJ Author

Summary

I have 9 years’ experience working in Public health developmental projects in International organizations, locally and abroad with my current interest being in migrant health. My career aspiration is to be a voice of the unheard through being an influential health policy decision maker. Consequently, this has led me to purse a Doctoral study in Health policy and Management with Auckland University of Technology. I hold a Master in Public Health (Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand), a Bsc in Health Education and Promotion (University of Zimbabwe) and a number of professional certificates, including a Certificate in Programme and Project Monitoring and Evaluation (University of Zimbabwe).

Prior to this Doctoral journey, my public health experience as was gained as a Health Promotion Officer for Harare City Health Council, Voluntary Service Overseas International (VSO), as a Program Assistant with a focus on orphans and vulnerable children, gender, stigma and inclusion; International Rescue Committee as a Hygiene Promotion Officer overseeing, health and hygiene activities with the mandate of fighting diarrheal diseases; Public Health Team Leader for Oxfam GB under the WASH Emergency Response Unit; Plan International as a Health Coordinator for a project that supported women and their children; Head of Migration and Health Unit for IOM In Zimbabwe and a Youth Programmes Educator for Rape Crises and Youth Health Worker For Center for Youth Health in Nz

Global Health Health Policy Infectious Diseases Public Health

Past or current institution affiliations

Auckland University of Technology

Work details

Doctoral Student

Auckland University of Technology

February 2012

Public Health

1. Why am I applying to study? The PhD in Health Policy and Management will train me to assume the highest level of professional responsibilities. As a public health specialist/researcher, the program will enable me to meet the ongoing need in the public health arena on cost, access and quality of the health care system by conducting research on policy issues affecting health organizations, financing, and delivery of health care and public health services. 2. What specific issues or questions am I interested in studying? Why do I think this topic requires further studying? The health of migrants is an important public health matter globally. It has however been observed that despite access to health being a human right, there are inequalities and inequities in the utilisation of health services amongst migrants especially the undocumented migrants. This has an impact on the host community. The study, therefore wishes to evaluate health services for the migrant population with the intent of assessing the risks posed to the host communities as a result of poor migrant health. Findings on the impact on the overall health of the host community will inform health policies.

Head of Migration and Health Unit

International Organisation for Migration

November 2014 - December 2017

Migration and Health

Provide leadership for all technical and managerial aspects of Migration and Health Projects in Zimbabwe; develop strategic plans and concept notes for expanding migration health programming; supervise and oversee the implementation of immigration medical examinations for refugees according to technical requirements of the governments of the donor countries before pre-departures to donor countries Coordinate the project planning, and assist in the preparation and analysis of project budget proposals; report on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations; focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition and resolve all issues related to health project implementation work with partners and key stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of relevant psychosocial services provided to vulnerable migrants, including crisis-affected populations in emergency and post-emergency settings; monitor projects and budgets and propose corrective measures in coordination with the relevant departments; identify opportunities for expanding migration health activities and programmes, health work, responding to announcements for call of proposals by drafting project concept notes and/or proposals and liaising with UN agencies and Ministry of Health to identify project development opportunities; serve as the mission’s Gender and HIV/AIDS technical focal point and provide guidance and training for GBV and HIV/AIDS related programs; conduct performance appraisal of both clinical and non-clinical migration health staff using the IOM Staff Evaluation System and actively identify and promote training needs of the staff; monitor and evaluate projects; carry out periodic status review; update, track and analyze data, identify deviations and initiate remedial actions; research, compare, analyze, and present information/data on project related topics.

PeerJ Contributions

Articles 1

August 23, 2018

Setting the stage: reviewing current knowledge on the health of New Zealand immigrants—an integrative review

Blessing Kanengoni, Sari Andajani-Sutjahjo, Eleanor Holroyd

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5184 PubMed 30155345