Makaita (Maka) is a health economics and finance professional with fifteen years of strategy, research, data analytics, qualitative research, programme management, and policy analysis experience. Her analytical and programme strategy experience spans across the public, private and NGO sectors. Most of Maka’s work in the past decade has been in Global Health, where she has worked to improve HIV and TB prevention, case finding, and access to optimal in-vitro diagnostics, medicines and other health technology innovations across low- and middle-income countries. Her experience also includes strengthening the integrated diagnostic networks and community health systems in these countries. Prior to that, she worked in financial research.

Maka’s PhD aims to improve decision analysis and sustainability planning for the adoption of health technologies in low- and middle-income countries. She holds a Certificate in Value Based Healthcare Strategy from Harvard Business School, a Master of Commerce in Economics, a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Statistics and a Bachelor of Economics and Finance all from the University of Cape Town.