Ernesto Maximiano Mandlate is a Project Officer and our Star of the Month in May! He is responsible for the inventory of the material in the PRECISE warehouse and study sites as well as the management and distribution of stock. Ernesto holds a degree in Educational Management from the Pedagogical University in Maputo, he joined Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) in 2005 and has been involved in several projects since.

Ernesto’s role involves contact with health professionals on a daily basis, and he is well aware of the risks of working in the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My job is to deliver the material to the nurses and assistants who come from the hospital. Despite redoubling preventative measures, I was an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19. Both the Center and the PRECISE team have put in place safety procedures for the delivery of the materials. Now the access of hospital staff into the office is restricted and we have set-up an outdoor tent for the delivery of the material. These measures mitigate the risk of transmission and I feel safe in the performance of my duties.”

Regarding his professional fulfillment as part of PRECISE, Ernesto commented: “Before PRECISE, I was in charge of the material storage locker. When the PRECISE materials first arrived in 2018, I became responsible for managing the full study warehouse! I wasn’t sure if I was up to the challenge, but over time and with the support of my colleagues, I have gained experience managing the inventory. It was a unique professional opportunity that PRECISE provided me and I am happy for it.”