You’ve recently joined LSHTM as a research assistant in health economics. Can you tell us a little about your background before joining?

I graduated with a BSc in statistics and economics at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin and an MSc in Economics and Statistics from the National School of Statistics and Economic in Senegal.

Before joining LSHTM, I was a research fellow for a civil society organisation, the West Africa Citizen Think Tank (WATHI), based in Senegal. There, I led various projects in economics, climate change, artificial intelligence and public health. During this time I also started my PhD in economics from the Gaston Berger University in Senegal, which I recently defended in May 2024.

I then started as a consultant at The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM in health economics and this is where I began the shift from global economics to health economics and started to focus my skills and interest in this field. This also led me to my current position here at LSHTM.

What will your work focus on here at LSHTM?

My work will focus on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health at both global and regional level, specifically in West Africa. I am analysing how health financing arrangements are equitable based on population needs and I am leading this analysis at the country level in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire and at the global level.

I’m also organising a workshop for health ministry officials and health economics researchers from francophone African countries in November 2024, in Senegal. The aim of this workshop is to build participants' capacity to analyse financial data on health systems. The workshop will address issues related to domestic health financing arrangements, equity and efficiency of health expenditure.

What motivated you to pursue a career in health economics?

I noticed there is a growing need for health economics research for low- and middle- income countries, especially in West Africa. For me, it is interesting and challenging to bring my expertise in data analysis and explore an area that is new for me.

The main challenge is the data availability, when you have small data sets, you have to find the best way to analyse this data with little information. In my role, I explore new methods or think of alternative options, that is very challenging but it is very interesting when you love analysing data.

LSHTM, alongside the research aspect, also offers me the space to work in advocacy. The opportunity to provide policy recommendation to help decision makers is one of the reasons I shifted to health economics and I am determined to continue in this field.

What impact do you hope your research will have in the future?

I’d like to contribute to giving practical recommendations to policy makers and bridging the capacity of health officials to conduct this kind of research in their country so they can use this to improve health systems, especially in Senegal, West Africa and also at the global level.

As mentioned before, I’d also like to fill the gap in the scientific literature in the health economics field.

How does being a GHECO member support your work?

There is a lot of expertise across the centre and it is a good forum for sharing knowledge. In the time I have spent with members of the centre since joining, I’ve noticed the amount of contributions made by others, when you ask a question there are people there to support and advise. I really like this type of partnership and I think it will help me grow in my career.

You recently had your research presented at the GHECO mini-HESG, can you tell us what you thought of that experience?

I really enjoyed participating in the mini-HESG, the format was excellent. To be able to share your research with a senior academic who can examine, analyse and discuss it was something I really appreciated. The open format to share knowledge and learn from each other was great, I collected comments to improve my research, it was a very good experience for me.

Outside of your professional life, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?

I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends. Recently, I've discovered the pleasure of doing exercise.