Dr. Rehema Simbauranga is a Senior Research Officer at the National Institute for Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, where she has been working since 2007. She earned her medical degree from the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences in Santiago de Cuba in 2006, and holds a master’s degree in Paediatrics and Child Health from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS-Bugando), awarded in 2013.

Dr. Simbauranga has over 10 years of experience in clinical research, focusing on infectious diseases, particularly TB/HIV and advanced HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) infections, as well as non-communicable diseases in people living with HIV. She has been instrumental in implementing an algorithm for integrating the diagnosis and management of HIV-associated CNS infections into routine healthcare at Amana and Mwananyamala hospitals.

In collaboration with the NASHCoP, Dr. Simbauranga has contributed to the implementation of triple therapy for the management of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Tanzanian hospitals. She has trained trainers in this therapy and serves as a clinical mentor, supporting the administration of triple therapy for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. Rehema’s interests lie in infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and maternal and child health. She has co-authored publications in areas such as anaemia, advanced HIV and associated central nervous system infections, as well as HIV and non-communicable diseases, in peer-reviewed journals, including the Lancet and BMC.