- Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B virus
- Seroprevalence
- Hepatitis B virus
- Syphilis
- Vulstan
1. Introduction
Vulstan James Shedura is a Field Epidemiologist holding a Master’sMaster’s degree in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management degree in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management at tt the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and a Medical Laboratory Scientist holding a Bachelor’s degree from International Medical and Technological University (IMTU). He studied a total of three online diplomas in Leadership and Management, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Project management at the Kenyan WATSAN training institute. He has studied more than 100 certified short courses (physical and Virtual), Mainly in Public health, Epidemiology, infectious diseases, Leadership and Management, Quality management systems, Project management, Health systems strengthening, Health economy, PHEOC, Business, Teaching Methodology for health care professionals, GLP, GCP, and Scientific writing. He has participated in presentations at national and international scientific conferences, mainly, at the 9th MUHAMUHAS S Scientific Conference, 10th MUHAS Scientific Conference, 8th Tanzania Health Summit, 9th Tanzania Health Summit, International Conference of AIDS and STI’s in Africa (ICASA 2021), the 5th International conference of African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM 2021), the 52nd World Union conference on Lung health -2021, the 26th AnnualAnnual Pradanya international conference Pradanya international conference -2022, the 10th European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum-2021, the 1st Africa Health Agenda international conference (AHAIC)-2021 and the 8th African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Scientific Conference-2023. Currently, he has mademade over 10 publications over 10 publications about influenzainfluenza, HIV, HIVsyphilis, syphilisAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and HBVHBV infection infection via the peer-review process. He has participated in the evaluationevaluation of the National influenza sentinel surveillance system in Tanzania of the National influenza sentinel surveillance system in Tanzania annd the analysis of influenza data. He has been working for strengthening COVID-19 surveillance in Tanzania, especially in Dodoma and Mtwara regions. He conducted an operational survey on people’s attitudes, knowledge, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. He has attended various workshops in preparation, and reviewing of National guidelines used in the health sector. He has worked on the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus, and Syphilis infections among the pregnant women population in the Mtwara region. He has been working in the Laboratory department and teaching medical students for more than 6 years under USAID Boresha Afya Southern Zone, Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and SouthernSouthern Zone referral hospital Zone referral hospital in Mtwara region respectively. He is currently the head of the Department of ClinicClinical Research, Training, and Consultancy al Research, Training, and Consultancy at t the Southern Zone Referral Hospital, in the Mtwara Region, Tanzania.
VulstanVulstan James Shedura James Shedura is an epidemiologist, medical laboratory scientist, medical researcher, and public health specialist. He is also a Catholic traditionalist, a member of the Sant'Egidio community, and Opus Dei. He was born on Thursday, 24th October 1991, at St. Luke's Hospital, located in Bwambo-RCBwambo-RC village village in the Eastern Same district of the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. The residents are mainly from the Pare tribe, though other tribes have also made their settlements in the same district. Father’s name is James Shedura Mnkeni, and Mother’s name is Anjela Maua Juma. Father was a primary school teacher and their mother a peasant. From parents, there are seven children, three boys and four girls. He is the fifth-born child and the last boy in the family. Other children include Salome James Shedura, Gabriel James Shedura, Joseph James Shedura, Mariam James Shedura, Crisencia James Shedura, and Thecla James Shedura.
2. Personal Life
Early School life (1996-1997)
The early school life of Vulstan James Shedura started at kindergarten, where he began in the year 1996 when he was five years old, until the end of 1997.
Primary School life (1998-2004)
His primary school life started in 1998 at Kwamshitu Primary School in Same District, Kilimanjaro region, at the age of seven years old, until 2004, when he completed his primary education.
Sacramental life
Vulstan James Shedura is a CatholicCatholic Christian Christian baptizedbaptized on Monday, 4th April 1994, at the Maria Immaculata (Bwambo)) Parish Parish in the KilimanjaroKilimanjaro region region by Fr. Vulstan Marisa (who gave him his name after baptism),); through then, the spiritual life of Vulstan was molded day after day due to great catechesis from catechists, priests, and nuns; some of them were Sister Thecla, Sister Florentinna, Fr. Fulgence Kivatiro, asnd well as Fr. Valence Mruma. All of these enabled him to receive the sacramesacrament of the Holy Communion ont of the Holy Communion on Sunday, 2nd June 2002, and the sacramentsacrament of Confirmation of Confirmation on Sunday, 16th January 2005. On Wednesday, 4th October 2023, he married Dr. Christine Hyasint Paul via receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony at the Maria Immaculata (Bwambo) Parish. The Mass is being led by Fr. Dr. Beda Bernard Kiure.
Early seminary life (2005)
As Vulstan’s brothers, his parents allowed him to go to Chanjale Seminary, the famous junior seminary junior seminary in n the CatholicCatholic diocese of Same diocese of Same in Tanzania.
His seminary life started by attending a preparatory year at the Dido-VocationDido-Vocation Training Centre Training Centre in 2005. In the seminary under the leadership of the rector, Fr. Clement Mtei. In VTC Dido, he was well trained in all aspects of formation, which are spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social interrelationships.
Seminary life (2006-2009)
In the year 2006, he started to attend Form One class at ChanjaleChanjale Seminary Seminary under the leadership of the rector, Fr. Lucas Mdee. At the seminary, he was so impressed with the prayers, hymns, psalter, English mass, and English songs. The motivational speeches of the rector (Fr. Lucas Mdee) gave him more strength to encounter seminary life with zeal and confidence.
He completed ordinary-levelordinary-level education education at t the seminary, and during graduation day on 24th October 2009, he was awarded a certificate for zeal and constancy in academics at the seminary.
Post-Seminary life (2009-2010)
After completing an ordinary level, he was selected by Fr. Christopher Mboya, who was the rector of Dido-Vocation T Dido-Vocation Training Centeraining Center at the time, to assist in the work of providing integrated formation.
Advanced secondary life (2010-2012)
He attended Tosamaganga High School in 2010 with advanced science studies in physics, chemistry, and biology.
Post-advance secondary life (2012)
After advanced school, he was selected by Fr. Br. Moses Mbwambo to assist in teaching activities at St. Stephen boys Secondary SchoolSt. Stephen Boys Secondary School, which is near Chanjale Seminary, prior to his university studies.
University life (2012-2015)
He attended the International Medical and Technological University (IMTU) for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology.
Post-university life (2016-2017)
After university, he went for an internship program internship program at KilimanjaroKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) for a full year from October 2015 to November 2016. hHe continued volunteering from November 2016 to July 2017.
Job life (2017-2021)
Worked with USAIDUSAID Boresha Afya southern zone Boresha Afya southern zone frorom July 2017 to March 2019 as a medmedical laboratory scientist ical laboratory scientist in the Mtwara region. He also worked with the BenjamBenjamin Mkapa Foundation in Mkapa Foundation in the same post from March 2019 to January 2021.
Further Specialization (2020-2022).
From September 2020 to September 2022, he attended further studies at the Muhimbili UniversityMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) for the MSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management. He graduated with his master's studies on December 3, 2022. He was awarded the MUHASMUHAS Prize as the best final-year student Prize as the best final-yearn studentMSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management (MSc. ELM) in MSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management (MSc. ELM) during the MUHAS MUHAS prize celebration ceremony conducted at MUHAS on December 2, 2022.
Job life (2022-Date)
In July 2022, he was employed by the government under the Ministry of HeMinistry of Health of Tanzanialth of Tanzania aat the Southern Zone ReferralSouthern Zone Referral Hospital Hospital in the Mtwara region. He worked as an field epidemiologist, epidemiologistmedical laboratory scientist, and medical laboratory scientistresearch scientist. He also works as the head of the DepartmentDepartment of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy at t the Southern Zone Referral Hospital, Mtwara Region, Tanzania.
Hobbies and Life Interests
Vulstan likes Saint quotes and is committed to becoming a saint.
His motto, in Latin: “Cum amore et misericordia elegit nos.” translated in English as “With Love and Compassion He has chosen us”