Afor Rene Aza'ah

Afor Rene Aza'ah is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives in hard-to-reach communities across Cameroon. Afor is the Founder and Executive Director of Local Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISUDEV), a registered non-profit organization in Cameroon launched in 2022. As a leader passionate about change, he strive to creating sustainable solutions that improve access to healthcare, clean Water and Sanitation, and education. Afor believes in empowering local leaders, fostering gender inclusivity, and building pathways for sustainable development. His work has impacted over 10,000+ lives in Cameroon by improving access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation, and education for underserved populations in rural Cameroon.

Afor is also a seasoned Research Scientist in NTDs (including Schistosomiasis, Filariasis, Leishmaniasis), and a Public Health Expert (Epidemiologist) with expertise in:
- Parasitic disease research,
- Infectious disease and vector control,
-Program design and implementation with two scientific publications:
• René Afor Aza’ah, Laurentine Sumo, Ngum Helen Ntonifor, Jean Bopda, Louis R Bamou Heumou, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga., (2020): Point prevalence mapping reveals hotspot for onchocerciasis transmission in the Ndikinimeki health district (Centre Region, Cameroon). Parasites and Vectors. 13: 519.
https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-020-04387-6

• Laurentine Sumo, Ngum Helen Ntonifor, René Afor Aza’ah, Jean Bopda, Rolph Bamou Heumou, Gabriella S. Ondoua Nganjou and Hugues C. Nana Djeunga., (2021): Loiasis is endemic in the Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon) but does not represent a hindrance to onchocerciasis elimination. Acta Tropica. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106218

In addition, he is a seasoned Medical Laboratory Scientist with over 8 years of clinical experience serving in different clinical/research institutions and leadership positions including the Center for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFiLMT) Yaounde, the Bamenda Centre for Health Promotion and Research (Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda).
Afor's vision for the future is to transform LISUDEV into a global model of sustainable growth and development leveraging his expertise to create lasting solutions, ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all.