Dr. Isabella Epiu

Anaesthesiologist | Global Health Advocate | Academic Leader | Champion for Gender Equity in Science

Dr. Isabella Epiu is celebrated as a pioneer in her field; Uganda’s First PhD anaesthesiologist, and East Africa’s first female to earn a PhD. Her achievements have garnered national and international recognition, including awards such as the NIH Global Health Fellowship Award and the prestigious UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship. She was also recognized by H.E. Yoweri K. Museveni, President of Uganda, at a national ceremony for her outstanding contributions to healthcare and education.

As a global health researcher and academic leader renowned for her contributions to advancing equitable healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Medicine from Makerere University (Uganda) and a PhD from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) – Prince of Wales Clinical School in Sydney, Australia, she holds a distinguished academic and professional track record that bridges clinical excellence, research, and leadership.

Currently, Dr. Epiu serves as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Anaesthesia at Kabale University School of Medicine. Her leadership extends beyond academia as she works to enhance the quality of healthcare through community initiatives and health leadership. She’s a member of the KAB innovations committee,  advancing anaesthesia education in Uganda using new technologies.

Dr. Epiu’s groundbreaking research focused on neural-respiratory physiology to improve the cost-effective management of pulmonary diseases, and she also conducted multinational studies addressing maternal and neonatal health. One of her most impactful projects involved evaluating the provision of safe obstetric anaesthesia in East Africa, guided by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) guidelines. This pivotal work aimed to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes across the main referral hospitals in the East African region. She currently serves as the Research Lead of the Africa Society of Regional Anaesthesia (AFSRA).

Her research outputs include numerous publications in peer-reviewed, high-impact international journals on topics such as the World Health Organization’s safe surgery checklist, anaesthesia challenges in resource-limited settings, and cost-effectiveness analyses of healthcare interventions. Notably, her work in Anaesthesia and Analgesia has been widely cited, further highlighting her influence in global health and anaesthesia.

Beyond her academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Epiu is an unwavering advocate for gender equity in science and leadership. She is passionate about empowering women to pursue careers in STEM, recognizing their critical role in building a sustainable, inclusive global economy. Her visionary leadership and relentless commitment to improving global health make her a leading voice in the field of anaesthesia and public health advocacy.