Sarah Kassim Gharib
Coventry,Tanzania
Summary
Senior Internal Medicine Specialist with experience as Head of Department in a referral hospital and active involvement in national public health emergency response. Provides strategic oversight of clinical services while delivering high-quality inpatient, outpatient, and critical care.
Demonstrated expertise in health systems strengthening, infection prevention and control, and management of outbreaks of public health importance. Combines clinical excellence with strong research capacity in epidemiology and biostatistics, with multiple peer-reviewed publications informing practice and policy.
Experienced in mentoring healthcare professionals and contributing to workforce development. Proven collaborator with government institutions and multidisciplinary stakeholders, supporting evidence-based decision-making and accountable service delivery. Committed to advancing equitable, resilient, and sustainable healthcare systems aligned with values of good governance, inclusion, and development.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Internal Medicine Department
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
Zanzibar, Tanzania
2025.04 - Current
- Led Internal Medicine services at a district referral hospital, overseeing inpatient wards, ICU care, and specialist outpatient clinics (cardiology, diabetes, hypertension) in resource limited settings.
- Managed complex medical and referral cases, improving continuity and quality of adult medical care.
- Supervised, mentored, and assessed medical officers, interns, and medical students on a continuous basis.
- Contributed to workforce capacity building through structured supervision and continuous medical education activities.
- Actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching, including ward rounds, case discussions, and bedside teaching.
- Delivered training sessions for healthcare workers during public health emergency responses, including infection prevention and control (IPC).
- Participated in clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient safety and outcomes.
- Promoted adherence to national and institutional clinical guidelines.
Worked closely with Ministry of Health structures, hospital leadership, and multidisciplinary teams. - Contributed to development of treatment guidelines and outbreak preparedness plans for diseases of public health concern.
- Supported integration of clinical care, surveillance, and prevention strategies to strengthen system resilience and equitable service delivery.
Internal Medicine Specialist
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
Zanzibar, Tanzania
2025.02 - Current
- Provide comprehensive diagnosis and management of adult medical conditions
- Evaluate and manage complex, chronic, and multi-system diseases
- Deliver inpatient, outpatient, and emergency medical care
- Interpret clinical findings, laboratory results, and imaging studies
- Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans
- Monitor patient progress and adjust management plans accordingly
- Promote disease prevention, health education, and patient counselling
- Ensure accurate medical documentation and continuity of care
- Adhere to clinical guidelines, ethical standards, and patient safety practices
- Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement, and research activities
- Teach and supervise interns, residents, and medical students
- Engage in continuous professional development and lifelong learning
Medical Doctor
Ministry of Health, Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, Tanzania
2017.04 - 2026.02
- Provided inpatient medical care through daily ward rounds and on-call duties at a national referral hospital
- Managed adult patients in medical outpatient clinics
- Supervised and trained medical students and interns during clinical rotations
- Organized and participated in community outreach and vaccination programs
- Actively engaged in Continuous Medical Education (CME) activities
- Participated in medical conferences, including presentations
- Involved in clinical research and evidence-based practice initiatives
Head of National Case Management Team
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
Zanzibar, Tanzania
2019.01 - 2020.09
- Led screening and surveillance activities at points of entry, including ports and airports
- Coordinated isolation, assessment, and clinical management of suspected and confirmed cases
- Oversaw implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures across treatment units and health facilities
- Contributed to development and adaptation of national and facility-level treatment guidelines and treatment centres
- Delivered training and mentorship to healthcare workers on case management, IPC, and outbreak response
- Acted as a frontline responder in the management of outbreaks and other diseases of public health concern
Assistant Veterinarian
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Natural resources and Fisheries, Zanzibar.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
2005.05 - 2017.04
- Assisting with animal care and treatment, surgical assistance, laboratory work, animal health inspections, emergency response, inventory management.
Education
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Warwick
Coventry 2025.09 - 2026.09
Master of Medicine - Internal Medicine
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) of Tumaini University Makumira
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 2020.10 - 2024.11
Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery - Medicine
Huazhong University of Science And Technology, Tongji Medical College
Wuhan, China 2009.09 - 2015.06
Skills
- Excellent communication skills with high proficiency in English (IELTS Band 85), Swahili, Mandarin (HSK Level 4) speaking, and Arabic literacy
- Resourceful team player who excels at building trusting relationships with clients, colleagues and peers, values professional and social networking
- Innovative leader and problem solver, exercising mindfulness, resilience, and stress management while maintaining accuracy
- Experience in performing research and understanding basics of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, R, SPSS
- Problem-solving
- Strategic planning
- Solid work ethic
- Budget management
- Team building
- Time management and adaptability
- Calm under pressure
- Quick learner with high general knowledge, diversity, adequate exposure, and awareness of global affairs
Publications
- 2025-01-22, Sage Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vitamin K Antagonist Use and Level of Anticoagulation Control Among Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania., 10.1177/10742484251315104
- 2025-04-07, Health Science Reports, Recurrent Intradialytic Hypotension, Associated Risk Factors, and Outcomes in Northern Tanzania: A Retrospective Cohort Study, 10.1002/hsr2.70661
- 2025-02-20, PLOS ONE, Seroprevalence and associated factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infection among patients with diabetes mellitus in Northern Tanzania., https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319198
- 2024-11-22, Sage Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors Among People Living with HIV on Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Northern Tanzania., 10.1177/23259582241306492
- 2024-07-22, PLOS ONE, Feco-prevalence, endoscopic pattern, and associated factors of Helicobacter Pylori infection among symptomatic adult patients in Northern Tanzania., https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307705
REFERENCES
- Kajiru, Kilonzo, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Consultant Physician and Nephrologist, kajiru.kilonzo@kcmuco.ac.tz, +255752337067, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
- Msafiri, Marijani, Director of Curative Services, dcs@mohz.co.tz, +255655693303, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar
- Juma, Malik Akil, Minister for Finance, juma.akil@gmail.com, +255777417929, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Zanzibar
Timeline
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Warwick
2025.09 - 2026.09
Head of Internal Medicine Department
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
2025.04 - Current
Internal Medicine Specialist
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
2025.02 - Current
Master of Medicine - Internal Medicine
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) of Tumaini University Makumira
2020.10 - 2024.11
Head of National Case Management Team
Ministry of Health Zanzibar
2019.01 - 2020.09
Medical Doctor
Ministry of Health, Zanzibar
2017.04 - 2026.02
Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery - Medicine
Huazhong University of Science And Technology, Tongji Medical College
2009.09 - 2015.06
Assistant Veterinarian
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Natural resources and Fisheries, Zanzibar.
2005.05 - 2017.04