“Be firm, be nice, and make decisions that benefit the masses. Make mistakes, learn from them. Be bold and be real,” says Jane Matambo, a woman whose words mirror the strength and authenticity she brings to her work.

For over two decades, Jane has been a steadfast force at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), championing women’s health and community empowerment through advocacy, training, and compassionate care.

Her journey with CIDRZ began in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), a preparedness study for the Microbicides Trials, a Phase 2/2b double-blinded, multisite randomised clinical trial focused on HIV prevention among women.

From her early days as a Clinical Officer, Jane’s passion for science and public service drove her forward. She soon rose to become a Sub-Investigator within the same trials, showing her dedication and intelligence.

Before joining CIDRZ, Jane served as the clinician working with transactional sex workers and truck drivers under the Corridors of Hope, supporting HIV testing and treatment of Sexually transmitted diseases for this vulnerable population. Reflecting on her decision to move to CIDRZ, she says candidly:

“I felt a little underutilised where I was. I had heard about CIDRZ and the amazing work it was doing in research and public health, and I wanted to be part of that impact.”

Once at CIDRZ, Jane  found her true calling when she was employed as assistant manager in charge of training under the Cervical Cancer Programme at UTH-AIDC, where she spent  years strengthening healthcare systems and building capacity among frontline providers, fighting cervical cancer, and advocating for women’s health.

Rising to the position of Project Manager for the Cervical Cancer Programme, she oversaw the scaling up of screening centers across Zambia, a milestone she considers one of her proudest achievements.

“Directly supporting the Ministry of Health in cervical cancer scale-up and establishing screening centers across the country makes me a very proud and patriotic citizen,” she reflects. “The support I offer to the Ministry and other partners is humbling, and it is all possible because of the enabling environment CIDRZ provides. I was also mentored by some of the country’s top experts in cervical cancer prevention, including Professor Groesbeck Parham, Dr Sharon Kapambwe, and Professor Mwanahamuntu. I owe it to them.”

Jane’s advocacy goes beyond clinical work. She speaks passionately about dismantling stigma, especially in rural communities where misconceptions about cervical cancer remain widespread.

“Cervical cancer is not a death sentence if detected early and treated properly,” she often reminds women. “We must empower them to prioritise their health, even in environments where cultural pressures often silence them.”

Her empathy is rooted in the stories of women hiding their HIV or STI status out of fear, denial, and stigma.

“Sometimes, I cry when I think of what these women go through,” she admits softly. “It is not easy when they come to you with advanced cancer, and you know you cannot help at that stage. That is why I push hard for early screening.”

Academically accomplished, Jane holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Development Studies (Merit) from the University of Zambia. She has also undertaken specialised training in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Operations Research at the University of Washington (USA).

It was during her time at UW  that she discovered an inspiring online course on Leadership and Management in Health, which she later helped bring to CIDRZ, benefiting many colleagues organisation-wide. “The course remains one of our most popular professional development programmes.” Jane is currently pursuing her PhD in Public Health, focusing on the Critical Realism Paradigm of Late-Stage Cervical Cancer—guided by the belief that “where we live must not determine whether we live.”

Her philosophy is simple yet profound: “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. I want to be treated with a human face, and I must give that same treatment.”

Balancing her demanding schedule requires constant prioritisation and attention to detail. Her top focus remains on securing resources to ensure continuous screening services and maintaining the quality of care. Whether she’s planning field activities, drafting budgets, or mentoring younger health professionals, Jane leads with passion and purpose.

“I am a happy CIDRZ employee,” she says with a smile. “I love my work. It is where you enjoy what you do and still get paid for it.”

As she looks to the future, Jane envisions deepening her role in research, sharpening her analytical skills, and contributing to global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.

“There is a lot of evolution in this field,” she notes. “It is a world of research now, and I want to remain relevant, learning and growing as we push for lasting solutions.”