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Fortune Effiong

Fortune Effiong

Organization: Systematic Reviews Network (SRN)


Region: Africa

Nationality: Nigeria

Country: Nigeria

Interests & expertise: HIV prevention

Profession or occupation: Healthcare worker/social service provider


What inspires you to work in the HIV field?

Growing up and working in a resource-limited setting, I have seen how HIV is not just a virus – it is a challenge that exposes deep inequalities in healthcare access. As a medical laboratory scientist and researcher, I’m inspired by the power of data, evidence synthesis and policy to transform lives. My work on HIV prevention and cost effectiveness helps ensure that limited resources can still deliver maximum impact. Knowing that my research can influence decisions and bring life-saving innovations like long-acting PrEP closer to the communities that need them most – that is what keeps me going.

What are your goals as an IAS change maker?

As an IAS change maker, I want to bridge the gap between evidence and action, especially for young researchers and communities in low-resource settings. My goal is to amplify African voices in HIV research, promote cost-effective solutions and push for policy that reflects real-world needs. Whether through translating complex data into plain language or training others to conduct impactful systematic reviews, I hope to drive change that is both practical and equitable. I want to make science accessible, inclusive and truly global.

The IAS promotes the use of non-stigmatizing, people-first language. The translations are all automated in the interest of making our content as widely accessible as possible. Regretfully, they may not always adhere to the people-first language of the original version.