NAFISA JIDDAWI

MS, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CNM
FOUNDER & CEO

An experienced social impact leader with over 16-years of expertise in family and women's health, maternal and child health, public health, patient advocacy, and community development in both Zanzibar and the U.S. As the visionary behind the WAJAMAMA Wellness Center and WAJAMAMA Foundation in Zanzibar, I have dedicated my life towards making holistic healthcare services accessible to all. My vision is to create a world where every woman is physically, mentally, and socially healthy, and every child has a healthy and beautiful beginning. My work revolves around the belief that in order to build a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive, we must prioritize the holistic well-being of infants during the first 1000 days after conception.

Aside from establishing WAJAMAMA, Zanzibar's first holistic healthcare center, I have also spearheaded the establishment of Zanzibar's inaugural high-fidelity simulation center. Together with my team at WAJAMAMA, we pioneered the Centering-Based Group Care Model for women and children in Zanzibar, with the aim of making it the standard of care throughout the entire archipelago. I have also played a key role in reviewing the BSN curriculum at the State University in Zanzibar and mobilized resources to promote sustainable improvements in girls & women's health, as well as maternal & child health outcomes in the archipelago. In addition to my clinical work, I am passionate about marketing, strategic planning, innovation, and branding. I also strongly believe that healthcare should always be provided in beautiful and dignified spaces.

MWANAKHEIR MAHMOUD

MD, MPH
MANAGING DIRECTOR 

  • Dr. Mwanakheir graduated as a Medical Doctor from the University of Dar Es Salaam in 1983. After working in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Zanzibar for two years, she pursued a Master in Public Health (MPH) with a focus on Maternal and Child Health at San Diego State University in the United States. Upon completion of her MPH, she moved back to Zanzibar to continue working at Mnazi Mmoja as the Head of Maternal and Child Health for two years. She then worked in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar es Salaam. In 1991, she started working as the Primary Care Doctor at the SOS Children’s Village in Zanzibar while simultaneously working in the pediatrics ward at Mnazi Mmoja hospital.

    In addition to these positions, she also worked part-time as a primary care provider at the Zanzibar Medical Group (ZMG) in Stone Town from 1995 until 2007. In 2007 she was appointed as the manager of the Blood Transfusion Service of Zanzibar. Under her leadership, the Blood Bank thrived and not only achieved international recognition and accreditation from the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion Service but also transitioned from being internationally supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to being domestically sustained. As the Director of Zanzibar’s Blood Transfusion Services, she oversaw an exchange program established between Zanzibar and Nepal for learning and sharing of evidence-based practices to help maintain the international standards at the Blood Bank.

    In collaboration with Haukeland Hospital in Norway, Dr. Mwanakheir also helped establish an emergency transfusion protocol for women during labor, birth, and the postpartum period, which has played a key role in the reduction of maternal mortality in Zanzibar. At WAJAMAMA, Dr. Mwanakheir is not only a clinician, but she is also responsible for managing WAJAMAMA’s daily operations, staff, and finances, delivering health and wellness workshops, budgeting, and is the chairman of the WAJAMAMA Foundation.

ANISA AWADH

DCR, DMU, ARDMS
DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHER

  • Anisa is qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer, Medical Sonographer, and specialized in prenatal ultrasound and gynecological scanning. She received her accreditations from Kingston Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, schools of Radiography in London, UK. Having worked in the Fetal Medicine Unit of St George’s hospital in London, Anisa received specialized clinical training in all aspects of prenatal ultrasound in fetal assessment.

    Anisa has been involved in extensive research programs and lectures and was responsible for training sonographers, midwives and doctors in obstetric scanning within the fetal medicine unit in the UK. Having worked closely with gynaecologists, she is able to provide a detailed gynaecological scanning service. Anisa provides specialized sonography services every other Saturday at our clinic.

YUSRA AMEIR HAJI

REGISTERED NURSE-MIDWIFE & PROJECT ASSISTANT

  • In 2021 we welcomed Yusra to the WAJAMAMA family. She is a registered nurse and midwife who completed her Health & Medical Science studies at The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) in 2020. After placements at Mnazi Moja Hospital and with UNFPA for a reproductive health program in Pwani Mchangani, Yusra was excited to join WAJAMAMA as a nurse and health workshop facilitator.

    She is passionate about providing the best care to patients of WAJAMAMA, and being part of raising the standards of nursing practices in Zanzibar. Her contagious smile and energy fills the room, and we are very happy to have her on the team.

JACQUELINE OWDEN

MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER

  • Jacqueline is a passionate psychologist who specializes in counseling and has a deep grasp of the complexities associated with depression, trauma, bereavement, relationships, anxiety, and rage. Many people have benefited from her compassionate and customized counseling techniques, which have helped them overcome obstacles and become stronger and more resilient.

    She firmly believes that self-awareness, self-compassion, and personal development are powerful tools, and commits herself to helping her clients reach their goals of leading well-rounded, purposeful lives

ALEYA REMTULLA

PAEDIATRICIAN

  • Dr. Aleya Remtulla is a pioneering developmental paediatrician in Tanzania, with over seven
    years of experience in the field of paediatrics and child health. She founded an autism support
    group in 2019 which now has over 230 parents/caregivers, demonstrating her passion and
    empathy for children with developmental disorders and their families. Driven by a desire to
    make a difference, she provides comprehensive care and advocates for inclusive healthcare
    practices, leaving a lasting impact on her patients and their families.

EDNAH JOSEPHAT

REGISTERED NURSE MIDWIFE

  • While growing up in rural Tanzania, it was clear to Ednah that ensuring community health and wellbeing is the answer to breaking the cycle of poverty and disease. That is why she pursued her diploma in nursing. She has always been passionate about giving back to communities in need and that is why she is excited to be a part of the team at WAJAMAMA.

AGNES KARINE ABDALLAH

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

  • Agnes was born and raised in Zanzibar. After completing her O level education, she enrolled at the Kilimanjaro Institute of Technology and Management to pursue a secretarial course. Once she graduated, Agnes gained experience working in the hospitality industry before joining the WAJAMAMA team. She has been a dedicated member of WAJAMAMA since its establishment and is thrilled to witness the ongoing positive influence that the organization has on communities.

ANNA GODREY MALIMBWI

Custodian

STEFANO AMANI FIANDE

Groundskeeper