APOPO’s TB detection project in Mozambique has been honored with a merit certificate for excellence as an employer, awarded for its outstanding work atmosphere and culture, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities. The awards are organized by Tempus Global Group under the Elite Employer trademark, and recognize numerous companies and organizations for their excellence in work culture and policy.
A Night of Employer Recognition
The award was presented at a gala evening held at the Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo on May 10. Representing APOPO at the event were Administrator Cleide Mondlane and Logistics/Driver Jorge Mobana.
Cleide Mondlane played a pivotal role in securing this recognition for APOPO. She actively took part in several HR workshops organized by Tempus and contributed to the salaries benchmarking exercise, which involved sharing information on APOPO’s HR policies, salaries, and benefits. Cleide Mondlane’s dedication was further highlighted by her recent milestone of completing nine years of service with APOPO TB Mozambique, having joined on May 1, 2015.
“Cleide’s dedication and efforts were instrumental in us achieving this award,” said Robert Burny, TB Detection Mozambique Program Manager. “Her commitment is a testament to the supportive work environment at APOPO.”
Elite Employer Program
The Elite Employer award is part of the third edition of a program by Tempus Global Group, based on data from the National Benefits and Human Capital Management Survey. This year’s survey evaluated over 200 companies and organizations in Mozambique, focusing on five pillars of the Employee Value Proposition (EVP): Compensation and Benefits, Career, Work Environment, Culture, and Work-Life Balance. Among the 39 companies recognized were prominent names such as Aga Khan Academy, Heineken, and Standard Bank.
International instructor and development facilitator Hanna Meireles, known for her expertise in Strategic Planning and Management Development, as well as Leadership, Culture, and Diversity, provided valuable insights at the recognition ceremony. Meireles emphasized the importance of strong employee value propositions in organizational success.
APOPO’s Commitment to Excellence
APOPO TB Mozambique’s award demonstrates its dedication to fostering a positive work environment and supporting the professional growth and well-being of all its staff. “This recognition is a testament to APOPO’s efforts to maintain high standards in the workplace while continuing our mission to combat tuberculosis,” said Robert Burny.
The event organized by Tempus Global Group highlights APOPO TB Mozambique’s role as a leader in both its mission and its commitment to employee welfare.
About the APOPO TB Mozambique Project
The APOPO TB Mozambique Project has been a pioneer in the fight against tuberculosis in Mozambique since its inception in 2013. Established with the intention of using innovative methods to detect TB, the project employed trained African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) , known as HeroRATs, to identify the disease in patient samples.
APOPO’s unique approach significantly increased the detection rates of TB, particularly in high-burden areas where traditional methods often fall short. Over the years, APOPO TB Mozambique made a significant impact by not only improving TB detection rates but also by supporting public health initiatives and contributing to the global effort to eradicate tuberculosis.
However, in 2018, the Ministry of Health’s decision to roll out molecular testing led to a progressive decrease in sample flow to APOPO’s laboratory, resulting in the interruption of rat-based TB detection activities in mid-2020. Despite this shift, APOPO continued to provide Xpert® MTB/RIF testing services for partner clinics, and expanded its support to neighboring Maputo province in 2021.
By 2023, the number of partner clinics decreased to 30, prompting APOPO to refocus its support on Maputo City due to fewer needs expressed by provincial health authorities. In November 2023, APOPO engaged in the national effort to increase TB detection in children by starting to test stool samples.
In 2023 alone, APOPO tested 8,722 samples and diagnosed 833 new TB patients in Mozambique. In Maputo City, in 2018 APOPO not only notified clinics but also partnered with Kenguelekezé, a community-based organization, to provide patient tracking and treatment support.
This partnership later transitioned to Centro de Colaboração em Saúde (CCS) to mobilize community health workers in charge of implementing the community-based direct treatment observation strategy. This collaboration with Kenguelekezé and CCS resulted in increasing access to treatment, with 90% of newly diagnosed TB patients in Maputo successfully starting care and treatment. These results demonstrated the project’s commitment to fighting tuberculosis and improving public health outcomes in Mozambique.