Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire is a public health leader recognized for her work in infectious disease outbreaks and emergency response. Dr. Belizaire has been instrumental in managing major health crises in Africa, including Ebola and yellow fever outbreaks shaping strategies for outbreak detection, rapid response, and containment.
Dr. Belizaire’s work spans fragile and conflict-affected regions, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), and Mauritania, where epidemics pose severe public health threats. During the Ebola outbreaks in the DRC, she served as Deputy Incident Manager for WHO, coordinating efforts between international organizations, national governments, and local health workers. Beyond outbreak response, she has strengthened health systems in fragile contexts, ensuring they are not only reactive but also prepared for future crises.
Dr. Belizaire is an advocate for community-based approaches to public health, emphasizing that effective outbreak response must consider local customs, beliefs, and social structures. This culturally competent approach has been critical in addressing challenges such as mistrust among healthcare workers and community resistance, particularly during Ebola outbreaks. As a prominent female leader in global health emergency response, Dr. Belizaire also serves as a mentor and role model, inspiring young professionals to pursue leadership roles in public health.
