Nshimba Mwansa
Health Informatics & Data Analytics Professional
Transforming healthcare through data. I specialize in creating insightful dashboards, developing data tools, and mapping health landscapes to improve public health outcomes.
About Me
Laboratory Informatics Officer | Data & Business Intelligence Specialist
A results-oriented MEL and data professional with 9+ years’ experience across research, district-level M&E, and national laboratory informatics in Zambia’s public-health sector. Skilled in statistical analysis, business intelligence, system implementation, and scientific writing.
Expert user of Power BI, Tableau, Superset, KoboToolbox/ODK, Google Cloud, and Firebase, with hands-on work in HIV-related data management and national information systems such as DHIS2, SmartCare, DISA LIS, and eLMIS. Conversant with GRZ financial and procurement systems (Navision) and passionate about data-driven decision support, mentoring, and ethical leadership.
Core Competencies
Professional Experience
A detailed overview of my career journey and key accomplishments in the public health sector.
Aug 2022 – Sept 2025
Laboratory Informatics Officer
Ministry of Health of Zambia
Served as a national-level Laboratory Informatics Officer under the CDC Cooperative Agreement, leading digital health systems strengthening, laboratory data analytics, HIV program monitoring, and dashboard development for decision-making across Zambia.
- Led national analytics for HIV, TB, and Malaria programs, including Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) monitoring and dashboards used by senior leadership.
- Managed and supported the rollout, configuration, and maintenance of the DISA Laboratory Information System (LIS) across multiple facilities.
- Queried and analyzed logistics data from eLMIS to support supply chain planning for laboratory commodities.
- Designed and delivered interactive Power BI, Superset, and Tableau dashboards for national reporting and performance analysis.
- Coordinated the National Laboratory Mapping Exercise, collecting, validating, and analyzing data from 635 laboratories, and authored the final analytical report.
- Co-developed and analyzed the tool assessing the USG Stop Work Order impact on laboratory systems and service delivery.
- Provided national-level Technical Supportive Supervision (TSS) for districts and facilities on HIV/AHD program data management.
- Facilitated and served as a DISA Superuser Trainer, training and supporting laboratory staff across Zambia.
- Participated in HL7 FHIR data standards training and diagnostics networking analytics (FIND).
- Designed data collection tools in KoboToolbox/ODK/Ona for multidisease surveillance and LIS planning.
- Supported MoH HQ procurement processes including bid evaluations, requisition preparation, and resource forecasting through Microsoft Dynamics Navision.
- Worked with GRZ financial and procurement systems, ensuring compliance and proper documentation.
- Developed web/mobile apps for health (data collection), education (School Management Systems), and SMEs (lodge websites, blogs).
- Collaborated with partners (CIDRZ, APHL, CDC, FIND, WHO, CHAI, ASLM) in national laboratory data harmonization and digital transformation.
Feb 2017 – Apr 2022
Health Information Officer
Ministry of Health – Katete District Health Office
District M&E lead responsible for HIV, TB, Malaria, and Maternal & Child Health (MCH) program data management, digital systems implementation, and partner coordination.
- Led district-level monitoring and evaluation for priority programs including HIV, TB, MCH, Malaria, ICCM, and surveillance.
- Designed and deployed KoboToolbox/ODK/Ona digital tools for data collection and surveys.
- Coordinated data quality audits (DQAs), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
- Trained health workers in DHIS2, SmartCare, HMIS, and ICCM digital tools.
- Conducted maternal health data reviews and contributed to planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Produced weekly and monthly performance reports used by district leadership.
- Facilitated partner-supported review meetings and capacity-building activities.
- Served as ECD Supervisor, supporting community health structures in data reporting.
Oct 2015 – Dec 2016
Research Assistant
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats)
Participated in major national surveys including Resource Flow Survey and ZAMPHIA.
- Conducted field monitoring, supervision, and data validation.
- Supported training as an assistant facilitator for survey teams.
- Ensured high-quality, consistent data collection across multiple teams.
Mar 2015 – Oct 2015
Research Assistant
Ipsos Zambia
Conducted mobile and face-to-face data collection on national socio-economic studies.
- Recruited participants for interviews and managed field logistics.
- Ensured data accuracy and respondent understanding.
Dec 2014 – Feb 2015
Data Entry Clerk
Africa Indoor Residual Spray (AIRS)
Supported IRS operations through accurate and timely data entry.
- Ensured clean datasets for malaria vector-control programs.
Sep 2013 – Jan 2014
Research Assistant (Industrial Attachment)
Road Development Agency – Zambia (RDA)
Designed questionnaires and supported survey development.
- Conducted data entry, field data collection, and statistical analysis.
Projects & Portfolio
A selection of my work in data visualization, tool development, and analytics.
Publications & Reports
A selection of my published work and technical reports.
Latest Insights
Summaries and insights from my recent LinkedIn posts and professional experiences.
August 15, 2024
A deep dive into how standardized data formats like HL7 FHIR are revolutionizing data exchange in healthcare, based on my latest project findings.
July 28, 2024
An overview of the dashboard I developed to track vaccination progress, highlighting key metrics and challenges in data visualization for public health.
July 05, 2024
Sharing insights from the 635 lab mapping project, focusing on the technical and logistical hurdles of harmonizing data from disparate sources.
Testimonials
What my colleagues and collaborators say about my work.
"Nshimba's work was very transformative for our department. The dashboards he developed gave us unprecedented insight into our programs. Previously we had no visibility of our Laboratory data. But now that is all history thanks to Nshimba's work."
Powell Choonga
Chief of Party, CIDRZ TRAILS
"Nshimba is a standout leader in health informatics with proven impact at a continental level. He combines advanced skills in data visualization, systems interoperability, and strategic health information management to deliver integrated, actionable insights for decision-makers. His ability to harmonize complex systems across borders makes him an invaluable asset for any initiative driving digital health transformation."
Tapson Nyondo
M&E and GIS Specialist
Get In Touch
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