{"id":4477,"date":"2025-02-24T05:23:19","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T05:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/?p=4477"},"modified":"2026-10-08T15:17:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:17:37","slug":"from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

\u201cBeing where I am today means a lot to me. Programs funded by the United States Government (USG) were like a school and a bridge that helped me to get to where I am today.\u201d says Santos Mucelo, currently serving as the Laboratory Mentor for Corromana health facility at Molumbo district. Corromana health facility is one of the health facilities that graduated from receiving technical support from a USG-funded International NGO to the Provincial Health Authorities and local Association Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global (C-Sa\u00fade). Based at Molumbo district capital, Santos Mucelo is the District Laboratory Chief and his own career has followed a similar trajectory as the support provided to Corromana health facility.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Born in Mocuba, Zamb\u00e9zia province, Santos Mucelo joined to the Instituto de Ciencias de Sa\u00fade de Quelimane in 2015 and completed his Government of Mozambique (GoM)-funded mid-level academic in 2017 training graduating as Laboratory Technician. He passed the pre-employment GoM tests, but due to GoM budget limitations he couldn\u2019t start working. His case was and continues to be similar to hundreds of health professionals across Mozambique, who although they have the necessary skills they cannot provide their services at health facilities that face shortages of qualified health professionals. It was in this context that, at the end of 2018, the USG-funded International NGO Friends in Global Health (FGH) provided a sub-agreement to Zamb\u00e9zia Provincial Health Authorities for hiring mid-level health professionals throughout the province. Santos was one of these professionals and started working at rural Molumbo district as a Laboratory technician, focusing on HIV-related laboratory work.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy initial experience was very good. I didn\u2019t expect to have this opportunity.\u201d recalls Santos. USG enabled him to step into the professional environment, apply his academic knowledge, and begin a promising career journey. But the start wasn\u2019t without hurdles. Working in the field brought practical and emotional challenges, while also providing invaluable lessons. \u201c\u201cFoi o meu primeiro contacto com doentes na linha da frente e a vida no terreno n\u00e3o foi f\u00e1cil. No entanto, esta experi\u00eancia ensinou-me muito sobre trabalho de equipa e como lidar com a adversidade.\u201d<\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Santos participated in USG-funded technical trainings and received mentoring that significantly broadened his skills. \u201c. \u201cAprendi muito e ainda estou a aprender. Estas forma\u00e7\u00f5es e as orienta\u00e7\u00f5es regulares foram vitais para o meu crescimento e continuam a influenciar directamente o meu trabalho.\u201d<\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Em 2020, Santos atingiu um marco na sua carreira quando foi finalmente integrado na folha de pagamentos do GdM. Continuou a crescer e hoje, como Chefe do Laborat\u00f3rio Distrital em Molumbo, supervisiona equipas e garante a qualidade dos servi\u00e7os prestados em todas as unidades de sa\u00fade do distrito.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

In October 2024, with the USG funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C-Sa\u00fade initiated the implementation of the Avante Sa\u00fade program. C-Sa\u00fade assists provincial health authorities in various districts and Molumbo is one of them – Santos did not miss the opportunity:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u201cQuero continuar a melhorar o sistema de sa\u00fade p\u00fablica. Vou continuar a aplicar tudo o que aprendi\u201d.<\/em>diz Santos, que \u00e9 agora um dos mentores das unidades graduadas.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Santos\u2019s progression\u2014from unemployment, to being hired by GoM through the support of an international NGO, to joining the government\u2019s payroll, and ultimately becoming a mentor to other GoM providers\u2014demonstrates the transformative power of USG programs. Santos is not an exception, but rather one of the 91 health professionals at leadership positions in Zamb\u00e9zia province, who were once supported by USG-funded sub-agreements. C-Sa\u00fade works with these leaders, ensuring that they seize the opportunity to retribute the technical support they once received and that they continue to build capacity of the public health system in Zamb\u00e9zia province.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"\n
Santos Mucelo, during a mentoring session, discusses with technician Hilton Santana the basic principles of blood sample quality to guarantee accurate laboratory<\/span> test results.<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cBeing where I am today means a lot to me. Programs funded by the United States Government (USG) were like a school and a bridge that helped me to get to where I am today.\u201d says Santos Mucelo, currently serving as the Laboratory Mentor for Corromana health facility at Molumbo district. Corromana health facility is one of the health facilities that graduated from receiving technical support from a USG-funded International NGO to the Provincial Health Authorities and local Association Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global (C-Sa\u00fade). Based at Molumbo district capital, Santos Mucelo is the District Laboratory Chief and his own career has followed a similar trajectory as the support provided to Corromana health facility. Born in Mocuba, Zamb\u00e9zia province, Santos Mucelo joined to the Instituto de Ciencias de Sa\u00fade de Quelimane in 2015 and completed his Government of Mozambique (GoM)-funded mid-level academic in 2017 training graduating as Laboratory Technician. He passed the pre-employment GoM tests, but due to GoM budget limitations he couldn\u2019t start working. His case was and continues to be similar to hundreds of health professionals across Mozambique, who although they have the necessary skills they cannot provide their services at health facilities that face shortages of qualified health professionals. It was in this context that, at the end of 2018, the USG-funded International NGO Friends in Global Health (FGH) provided a sub-agreement to Zamb\u00e9zia Provincial Health Authorities for hiring mid-level health professionals throughout the province. Santos was one of these professionals and started working at rural Molumbo district as a Laboratory technician, focusing on HIV-related laboratory work. \u201cMy initial experience was very good. I didn\u2019t expect to have this opportunity.\u201d recalls Santos. USG enabled him to step into the professional environment, apply his academic knowledge, and begin a promising career journey. But the start wasn\u2019t without hurdles. Working in the field brought practical and emotional challenges, while also providing invaluable lessons. \u201cIt was my first contact with patients on the front lines, and life in the field wasn\u2019t easy. However, this experience taught me a great deal about teamwork and how to cope with adversity.\u201d Santos participated in USG-funded technical trainings and received mentoring that significantly broadened his skills. \u201cI learned a lot, and I\u2019m still learning. These trainings and regular mentoring were vital to my growth and continue to directly influence my work.\u201d In 2020, Santos reached a milestone in his career when he was finally absorbed into the GoM payroll. He continued growing and today, as a District Laboratory Chief in Molumbo, he oversees teams and ensures the quality of services provided across all health facilities in the district. In October 2024, with the USG funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C-Sa\u00fade initiated the implementation of the Avante Sa\u00fade program. C-Sa\u00fade assists provincial health authorities in various districts and Molumbo is one of them – Santos did not miss the opportunity: \u201cI want to continue improving the public health system. I will keep applying everything I\u2019ve learned.\u201d says Santos, who is now one of the mentors of the graduated sites. Santos\u2019s progression\u2014from unemployment, to being hired by GoM through the support of an international NGO, to joining the government\u2019s payroll, and ultimately becoming a mentor to other GoM providers\u2014demonstrates the transformative power of USG programs. Santos is not an exception, but rather one of the 91 health professionals at leadership positions in Zamb\u00e9zia province, who were once supported by USG-funded sub-agreements. C-Sa\u00fade works with these leaders, ensuring that they seize the opportunity to retribute the technical support they once received and that they continue to build capacity of the public health system in Zamb\u00e9zia province. \u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-historias-de-sucesso"],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"pt_PT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cBeing where I am today means a lot to me. Programs funded by the United States Government (USG) were like a school and a bridge that helped me to get to where I am today.\u201d says Santos Mucelo, currently serving as the Laboratory Mentor for Corromana health facility at Molumbo district. Corromana health facility is one of the health facilities that graduated from receiving technical support from a USG-funded International NGO to the Provincial Health Authorities and local Association Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global (C-Sa\u00fade). Based at Molumbo district capital, Santos Mucelo is the District Laboratory Chief and his own career has followed a similar trajectory as the support provided to Corromana health facility. Born in Mocuba, Zamb\u00e9zia province, Santos Mucelo joined to the Instituto de Ciencias de Sa\u00fade de Quelimane in 2015 and completed his Government of Mozambique (GoM)-funded mid-level academic in 2017 training graduating as Laboratory Technician. He passed the pre-employment GoM tests, but due to GoM budget limitations he couldn\u2019t start working. His case was and continues to be similar to hundreds of health professionals across Mozambique, who although they have the necessary skills they cannot provide their services at health facilities that face shortages of qualified health professionals. It was in this context that, at the end of 2018, the USG-funded International NGO Friends in Global Health (FGH) provided a sub-agreement to Zamb\u00e9zia Provincial Health Authorities for hiring mid-level health professionals throughout the province. Santos was one of these professionals and started working at rural Molumbo district as a Laboratory technician, focusing on HIV-related laboratory work. \u201cMy initial experience was very good. I didn\u2019t expect to have this opportunity.\u201d recalls Santos. USG enabled him to step into the professional environment, apply his academic knowledge, and begin a promising career journey. But the start wasn\u2019t without hurdles. Working in the field brought practical and emotional challenges, while also providing invaluable lessons. \u201cIt was my first contact with patients on the front lines, and life in the field wasn\u2019t easy. However, this experience taught me a great deal about teamwork and how to cope with adversity.\u201d Santos participated in USG-funded technical trainings and received mentoring that significantly broadened his skills. \u201cI learned a lot, and I\u2019m still learning. These trainings and regular mentoring were vital to my growth and continue to directly influence my work.\u201d In 2020, Santos reached a milestone in his career when he was finally absorbed into the GoM payroll. He continued growing and today, as a District Laboratory Chief in Molumbo, he oversees teams and ensures the quality of services provided across all health facilities in the district. In October 2024, with the USG funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C-Sa\u00fade initiated the implementation of the Avante Sa\u00fade program. C-Sa\u00fade assists provincial health authorities in various districts and Molumbo is one of them – Santos did not miss the opportunity: \u201cI want to continue improving the public health system. I will keep applying everything I\u2019ve learned.\u201d says Santos, who is now one of the mentors of the graduated sites. Santos\u2019s progression\u2014from unemployment, to being hired by GoM through the support of an international NGO, to joining the government\u2019s payroll, and ultimately becoming a mentor to other GoM providers\u2014demonstrates the transformative power of USG programs. Santos is not an exception, but rather one of the 91 health professionals at leadership positions in Zamb\u00e9zia province, who were once supported by USG-funded sub-agreements. C-Sa\u00fade works with these leaders, ensuring that they seize the opportunity to retribute the technical support they once received and that they continue to build capacity of the public health system in Zamb\u00e9zia province. \u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"C-Sa\u00fade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"875\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"644\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CSAUDE Mozambique\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Escrito por\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CSAUDE Mozambique\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Tempo estimado de leitura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutos\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"CSAUDE Mozambique\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/21f8c5706602baf376339aa34c5d4efa\"},\"headline\":\"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\"},\"wordCount\":656,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Success Stories\"],\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\",\"name\":\"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png\",\"width\":875,\"height\":644,\"caption\":\"For Santos Mucelo, discussing the quality of samples is essential to train trained professionals who understand the importance of precision and ethics in laboratory work. This ensures that the student develops critical skills to perform with excellence in the future\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/\",\"name\":\"C-Sa\u00fade\",\"description\":\"Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization\",\"name\":\"C-Sa\u00fade\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/c-saude_final-01.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/c-saude_final-01.jpg\",\"width\":857,\"height\":339,\"caption\":\"C-Sa\u00fade\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/centro-pela-sade-global-c-sade\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/21f8c5706602baf376339aa34c5d4efa\",\"name\":\"CSAUDE Mozambique\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"pt-PT\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a04a77b814906a41d4e62902b2c2bd1140b88758670c6358dd9ab18051f443c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a04a77b814906a41d4e62902b2c2bd1140b88758670c6358dd9ab18051f443c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"CSAUDE Mozambique\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/centro-pela-sa\u00fade-global-c-sa\u00fade\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/author\/csaude\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/","og_locale":"pt_PT","og_type":"article","og_title":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade","og_description":"\u201cBeing where I am today means a lot to me. Programs funded by the United States Government (USG) were like a school and a bridge that helped me to get to where I am today.\u201d says Santos Mucelo, currently serving as the Laboratory Mentor for Corromana health facility at Molumbo district. Corromana health facility is one of the health facilities that graduated from receiving technical support from a USG-funded International NGO to the Provincial Health Authorities and local Association Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global (C-Sa\u00fade). Based at Molumbo district capital, Santos Mucelo is the District Laboratory Chief and his own career has followed a similar trajectory as the support provided to Corromana health facility. Born in Mocuba, Zamb\u00e9zia province, Santos Mucelo joined to the Instituto de Ciencias de Sa\u00fade de Quelimane in 2015 and completed his Government of Mozambique (GoM)-funded mid-level academic in 2017 training graduating as Laboratory Technician. He passed the pre-employment GoM tests, but due to GoM budget limitations he couldn\u2019t start working. His case was and continues to be similar to hundreds of health professionals across Mozambique, who although they have the necessary skills they cannot provide their services at health facilities that face shortages of qualified health professionals. It was in this context that, at the end of 2018, the USG-funded International NGO Friends in Global Health (FGH) provided a sub-agreement to Zamb\u00e9zia Provincial Health Authorities for hiring mid-level health professionals throughout the province. Santos was one of these professionals and started working at rural Molumbo district as a Laboratory technician, focusing on HIV-related laboratory work. \u201cMy initial experience was very good. I didn\u2019t expect to have this opportunity.\u201d recalls Santos. USG enabled him to step into the professional environment, apply his academic knowledge, and begin a promising career journey. But the start wasn\u2019t without hurdles. Working in the field brought practical and emotional challenges, while also providing invaluable lessons. \u201cIt was my first contact with patients on the front lines, and life in the field wasn\u2019t easy. However, this experience taught me a great deal about teamwork and how to cope with adversity.\u201d Santos participated in USG-funded technical trainings and received mentoring that significantly broadened his skills. \u201cI learned a lot, and I\u2019m still learning. These trainings and regular mentoring were vital to my growth and continue to directly influence my work.\u201d In 2020, Santos reached a milestone in his career when he was finally absorbed into the GoM payroll. He continued growing and today, as a District Laboratory Chief in Molumbo, he oversees teams and ensures the quality of services provided across all health facilities in the district. In October 2024, with the USG funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), C-Sa\u00fade initiated the implementation of the Avante Sa\u00fade program. C-Sa\u00fade assists provincial health authorities in various districts and Molumbo is one of them – Santos did not miss the opportunity: \u201cI want to continue improving the public health system. I will keep applying everything I\u2019ve learned.\u201d says Santos, who is now one of the mentors of the graduated sites. Santos\u2019s progression\u2014from unemployment, to being hired by GoM through the support of an international NGO, to joining the government\u2019s payroll, and ultimately becoming a mentor to other GoM providers\u2014demonstrates the transformative power of USG programs. Santos is not an exception, but rather one of the 91 health professionals at leadership positions in Zamb\u00e9zia province, who were once supported by USG-funded sub-agreements. C-Sa\u00fade works with these leaders, ensuring that they seize the opportunity to retribute the technical support they once received and that they continue to build capacity of the public health system in Zamb\u00e9zia province. \u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/","og_site_name":"C-Sa\u00fade","article_published_time":"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":875,"height":644,"url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"CSAUDE Mozambique","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Escrito por":"CSAUDE Mozambique","Tempo estimado de leitura":"4 minutos"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/"},"author":{"name":"CSAUDE Mozambique","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/21f8c5706602baf376339aa34c5d4efa"},"headline":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs","datePublished":"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/"},"wordCount":656,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png","articleSection":["Success Stories"],"inLanguage":"pt-PT","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/","url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/","name":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs - C-Sa\u00fade","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png","datePublished":"2025-02-24T05:23:19+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-08T13:17:37+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"pt-PT","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"pt-PT","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-2.png","width":875,"height":644,"caption":"For Santos Mucelo, discussing the quality of samples is essential to train trained professionals who understand the importance of precision and ethics in laboratory work. This ensures that the student develops critical skills to perform with excellence in the future"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/2025\/02\/24\/from-mocuba-to-laboratory-leader-strengthening-health-with-the-support-of-pepfar-programs\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"From Mocuba to laboratory leader: Strengthening health with the support of USG programs"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#website","url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/","name":"C-Sa\u00fade","description":"Centro pela Sa\u00fade Global","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"pt-PT"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#organization","name":"C-Sa\u00fade","url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"pt-PT","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/c-saude_final-01.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/c-saude_final-01.jpg","width":857,"height":339,"caption":"C-Sa\u00fade"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/centro-pela-sade-global-c-sade"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/21f8c5706602baf376339aa34c5d4efa","name":"CSAUDE Mozambique","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"pt-PT","@id":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a04a77b814906a41d4e62902b2c2bd1140b88758670c6358dd9ab18051f443c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a04a77b814906a41d4e62902b2c2bd1140b88758670c6358dd9ab18051f443c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"CSAUDE Mozambique"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/centro-pela-sa\u00fade-global-c-sa\u00fade\/"],"url":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/author\/csaude\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csaude.org.mz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}