Reproductive Health Team Leader Champions Health Equity
As AMPATH’s newest reproductive health team leader, Anca Matei, MD, FRCSC, provides obstetric and gynecologic clinical care and works with Kenyan colleagues to reduce the inequities in care that women face. Although the pandemic shortened the time she will be in Kenya, her aspirations remain robust.
Dr. Anca Matei serves as AMPATH’s reproductive health team leader.
“I believe that reducing gender inequities in health care, and in particular reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, is one of the most significant challenges of my generation because it impacts young women, communities and societies at large,” said Dr. Matei. “I wish to be part of this movement and to continue supporting these efforts throughout multiple levels of health care delivery and policy making.”
Dr. Matei has pursued a variety of experiences to grow her understanding of women’s health in the global context. In addition to working and volunteering in Canada and Ghana, she has participated in research with colleagues at the World Health Organization, taught postgraduate trainees in Bhutan remotely, and developed tools to address gender-based violence in Tanzania. She is also currently pursuing a master’s degree in Global Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she hopes to acquire a thorough understanding of policy planning and delivery of care within a historical, legal and cultural context.
“Since arriving here in March, I have been humbled and amazed by the dynamic, innovative, and dedicated group of clinicians and researchers advancing reproductive health locally and regionally, in addition to and in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Matei said. “I will spend my time here supporting their work and our academic collaboration through formal and informal teaching, laparoscopic skills training, evaluation tools for postgraduate trainees, maternal mortality reviews and other projects as the need arises.” Dr. Matei plans to remain in Eldoret until July.
The AMPATH reproductive health team leader is a member of the University of Toronto’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and Moi University School of Medicine (MUSOM) Department of Reproductive Health. Each year, there are more than 12,000 deliveries at MTRH, many of which are referred from outside institutions. There are over 500 gynecologic surgeries conducted annually and over 7,000 reproductive-health related outpatient visits. True to AMPATH mission of “leading with care,” the reproductive health collaboration has led the development of emergency obstetrical programming, a gynecologic oncology treatment program and clinical fellowships in gynecology oncology and maternal-fetal medicine (video below).
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute my passion for meaningful, sustainable, and inclusive health care in Eldoret, while learning more about reproductive health care delivery in the Kenyan context,” said Dr. Matei. “I have been aware of AMPATH’s presence in Western Kenya for many years, and have admired the sustainable, academic approach that it fosters, focusing on supporting local teams in advancing health care, advocating for improving the Kenyan health system and building local research capacity.”
Dr. Matei received her medical degree from the University of Toronto and completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Dalhousie University in 2017. She practiced general obstetrics and gynecology at a regional centre in Nova Scotia and became department head of surgery. In 2020, she relocated to her home province and worked in Indigenous Health in northern Ontario.
Applications are currently being accepted for the next AMPATH reproductive health team leader, as well as team leaders in internal medicine and hematology-oncology.