Acting Dean

Dr Fiona Makoni

Qualifications: MPH (Masters in Public Health) (Emory University, USA,1996); MuDr (Stomatology/Dentistry) (University of J P Safarik, Republic of Slovakia,1991); PGD (Post Grad in Research Ethics) (University of Cape Town, RSA, 2011); HEALZ (Cert Health Education and Leadership, 2015)

Dr Fiona Makoni is a Senior Lecturer and former Chairperson of the Department of Oral Health. She is Acting Dean in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences from August 2022. She studied for her first degree in Dentistry in Czechoslovakia, graduating with distinctions. She obtained her Master’s degree in Public Health at Emory University in the United States as a Fellow of the WK Kellogg Foundation, majoring in International Health and Epidemiology. She obtained a postgraduate diploma in Research Ethics from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In 2012, she was the inaugural recipient of the Tony Volpe Award by the Global Dental Child Network in the United Kingdom.

She is dedicated to professional excellence in clinical practice and professional service. She has worked as the Director of Government Dental Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. She is past President of the Zimbabwe Dental Association and first woman to hold that position in the association and has chaired Practice Management and the Peer Review committees.

She has served on the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe in the past and in the current council. She also served on the first council of the Women’s University in Africa.  She is a member of the Joint Research and Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. She also serves her community through various Boards and Committees as well as counselling.  She joined the University of Zimbabwe in 1999 and was involved in the establishment of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery training programme. Her main areas of research have been in caries epidemiology and she was involved in studies in the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment technique as a treatment modality for dental caries, leading to the adoption of the technique by WHO.  She also has keen interest and experience in clinical and research ethics as well as medical education that she is currently pursuing at master’s degree level.

Dean

Professor R. Masanganise

Qualifications: Masters in Medical Science (MMed Sc (Clinical Epi), University of New Castle, Australia, Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, United Kingdom, Diploma in Ophthalmology, University of Zimbabwe, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degrees, University of Zimbabwe.

Professor Masanganise is the founding Chairperson, Department of Ophthalmology, Chairman, Department of Anatomy, Deputy Dean of College of Health Sciences before he was appointed Dean of the College in January 2018. Professor Masanganise is a renowned and passionate Ophthalmologist with particular interest in Optometry and Ophthalmic Nursing as they ensure provision of comprehensive eye care for patients. He spearheaded the establishment of the department of Ophthalmology to give the discipline the due professional and academic recognition and development. He has been instrumental in restructuring and programming the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, transforming it from educaton 3.0 to education 5.0. Under his leadership, 5 new undergraduateprogrammes and 9 post graduate programmes were introduced. 

He is currently a member of the Radiation Authority of Zimbabwe Board of Directors, and was the founding member of the People’s Own Savings Bank, (POSB) Board of Directors. Professor Masanganise also spearheaded the establishment of BSc Optometry degree at the University of Zimbabwe and the Ophthalmic Nurse training at Pairirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. He initiated various strategic partnerships to mobilise resources for Ophthalmology and Optometry, in particular funding that led to the establishment of the College of Health Sciences Optometry Unit. He successfully negotiated a generous donation from CIMAS and also sourced ophthalmic equipment in the Main Theatres at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Through his drive for development of the Faculty, Prof R. Masanganise ensured donations for laser equipment in the UZCHS Laser unit and wet lab from the Royal Dutch Embassy and Later Day Saints Charities, USA.

Consistent with his passion for visual impairments, particularly for the disadvantaged members of society, Prof Masanganise initiated and participated in various Community Eye Care outreach programmes. Professor Masanganise is a recipient of the prestigious “Zimbabwe Medical Association Award” for his outstanding contribution to Ophthalmology in Zimbabwe. His research interests are in Ocular Diseases and Community Eye Health with peer reviewed publications to date