- Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B virus
- Seroprevalence
- Hepatitis B virus
- Syphilis
- Vulstan
1. Introduction
Vulstan James SHEDURAhedura is a fieldField Epidemiologist epidemiologist holding a mMaster’s degree in eEpidemiology and lLaboratory mManagement from at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and a medical laboratory scientist Medical Laboratory Scientist holding a bBachelor’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 Mmanagement at the Kenyan WATSAN training institute. He has studied more than 100 certified short courses (physical and vVirtual), mMainly in pPublic health, eEpidemiology, infectious diseases, lLeadership and mManagement, qQuality management systems, pProject management, hHealth systems strengthening, hHealth economy, PHEOC, bBusiness, tTeaching mMethodology for health care professionals, GLP, GCP, and sScientific writing. He has participated in presentations at national and international scientific conferences, mainly, at the 9th MUHAS Scientific Conference, 10th the MUHAS Scientific Conference, 8th Tanzania Health Summit, the9th Tanzania Health Summit, International International Conference of AIDS and STI’s in Africa, (ICASA 2021), the 5th International Cconference of the African African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM 2021), the 52nd World Union Cconference on Lung Health, health -2021, the 26th Annual Pradanya Iinternational Conference 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 made several publications about influenza, HIV, cholera, syphilis, antimicrobialAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR), resistance (AMR), and HBV infection via the peer-review process. He has participated in the evaluation of the National Iinfluenza Ssentinel Ssurveillance Ssystem in Tanzania and the analysis of influenza data. He has been working fonr strengthening COVID-19 surveillance in Tanzania, especially in the 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 reviewed the ning 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 lLaboratory department and teaching medical students for more than 6 years under USAID Boresha Afya Southern Zone, the Benjamin Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and the Ministry of Health at the Southern Southern Zone referral hospital in the Mtwara region, respectively. He is currently the head of the Department of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy at the Ministry of Health in the Southern Zone Referral Hospital in , in the Mtwara Region, Tanzania.
Vulstan James SHEDURAhedura 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 a member of Opus Dei. He was born on Thursday, 24th October 1991, at St. Luke's Hospital, located in Bwambo-RC 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. Their fFather was a primary school teacher and their mother a peasant. From the 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 SHEDURAhedura started at kindergarten, where he began in the year 1996 when he was five years old, and continued uuntil 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, and continued until 2004, when he completed his primary education.
Sacramental life
Vulstan James SHEDURAhedura is a Catholic Christian baptized on Monday, 4th April 1994, at the Maria Immaculata (Bwambo) Parish in the Kilimanjaro region by Fr. Vulstan Marisa (who gave him his name after baptism); fthrom then onugh 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, and Fr. Valence Mruma. All of these enabled him to receive the sacrament of the Holy Communion on Sunday, 2nd June 2002, and the sacrament 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 inn the Catholic diocese of Same in Tanzania.
His seminary life started by attending a preparatory year at the Dido-Vocation 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 Chanjale 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-level education at 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 Training 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 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 attwended a ot for ane-year internship program at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) for a full year from October 2015 to November 2016. He continued volunteering from November 2016 to July 2017.
Job life (2017-2021)
Worked with the USAIDUSAID prBogram atresha Afya southern thezone Southern Zone of Tanzania from July 2017 to March 2019 as a medical laboratory scientist in the Mtwara region. He also worked with the Benjamin 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 University 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 MUHAS Prize as the best final-year student in MSc in Epidemiology and Laboratory Management (MSc. ELM) during the 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 Health of Tanzania at the Southern Zone Referral Hospital in the Mtwara region. He worked as a field epidemiologist, medical laboratory scientist, and research scientist. He also works as the head of the Department of Clinical Research, Training, and Consultancy at the Southern Zone Referral Hospital, Mtwara Region, Tanzania.
Originality of the Name Vulstan
The name "Wulstan" (also known as "Vulstan") finds its origin in the Old English tongue, uniting the elements wulf ("wolf") and stan ("stone"). In its meaning—“wolf stone”—it bears a rich symbolism: the wolf, often seen as a creature of watchfulness and strength, and the stone, a biblical image of steadfastness, endurance, and faith’s firm foundation. Thus, Wulstan speaks of one who is both vigilant and immovable in the service of truth. This name has graced notable servants of God, most eminently Saint Wulfstan (1008–1095), a Benedictine friar and later Bishop of Worcester, renowned for his humility, tireless pastoral care, and courageous stand against the slave trade in Bristol. His life reflected the very essence of his name—strong in virtue, unyielding in justice, and rooted in the Rock that is Christ. In Catholic tradition, such a name carries a call to live with the fortitude of the wolf in defending the flock and the steadfastness of the stone in upholding the faith, echoing the words of Our Lord: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).
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”