Dr Gloria Maimela
Director: Climate and Health
Dr Gloria Maimela is a Medical Doctor with vast experience in HIV treatment and prevention programming and recently climate change and health. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Diploma in HIV Management and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
Dr Maimela is currently the Director of Climate and Health at Wits RHI. Prior to this, she provided strategic oversight and technical direction in the implementation of PEPFAR funded HIV prevention, care and treatment programs. The objective of these programs is to support HIV epidemic control in South Africa by 2030, through provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment services to vulnerable and key populations. As Director of Climate and Health, Dr Maimela provides oversight on various climate change and health projects at Wits RHI. These projects aim to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations in Southern Africa and the development of early warning systems.
Dr Maimela has led over 1000 Wits RHI staff members across various programs. She is a published local and international speaker. She is also a Wits University PhD candidate and has led and contributed to several research projects.
Dr Maimela is currently a member of the Dira Sengwe Board. She hosted the 10th SAAIDS virtual conference in 2020. She has once more been nominated to chair the 11th SAAIDS conference in 2023. Dr Maimela is also a member of the Africa Telehealth Collaboration steering committee that seeks to address barriers to the expansion of telehealth in South Africa and the rest of the African region.