Health Monitoring and Evaluation

Cristina Costa, MD, MPH, is a Consultant Doctor in Public Health working at the Department of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention at the Portuguese National Institute of Health (INSA), with a focus on HIA, health policy research, and the evaluation of public health programs and plans. She currently coordinates the Technical Working Group for the evaluation of the Portuguese National Health Plan (Plano Nacional de Saúde 2030) at INSA. She is also a guest lecturer in health evaluation at the University of Porto. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is currently a PhD candidate in Epidemiology at the National School of Public Health (ENSP-NOVA). She has participated in national and international research projects funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the European Commission, and the COST Association, particularly in the fields of impact evaluation and systems thinking. She is an active member of the Portuguese Association of Public Health Doctors (ANMSP), the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), and the European Evaluation Society (EES).

Asif Ali Shah is a seasoned Pakistani diplomat having over 21 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). His dynamic career has taken him across Georgia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangkok and Pakistan, where he has established/led resilient, emergency, and development programming over a portfolio of 170 USD, across United Nations agencies and international organizations focusing on strategic efforts in development programming in MEAL, institutional reform, and results-based evaluation. He has successfully collaborated with a wide array of donors, including EU, USAID, GEF, GCF, FCDO, JICA and Italy, ensuring rigorous standards and cross-sectoral impact.
Currently based in Georgia, Asif contributes to international development platforms with deep expertise in rolling-out MEAL, data systems, accountability frameworks, and stakeholder coordination. Known for his precision, independence, and cross-sectoral leadership, he blends global experience with local insight to advance transparent, impactful solutions. This multidimensional background enables him to adapt swiftly, communicate effectively, and drive strategic innovation in complex development environments.
Beyond his professional work, Asif is a passionate horseman and accomplished polo player. He proudly participated in the legendary Shandur Polo Festival, held at the highest polo ground in the world—often referred to as the “Roof of the World.” His love for the sport reflects a commitment to discipline, heritage, and resilience.

Kasun Ramanayake is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) professional with over six years
of extensive experience in Sri Lanka. He is recognized for his expertise in designing and implementing MEAL
frameworks, capacity building, and policy evaluation across diverse national and international projects. As a coleader
of EvalYouth Sri Lanka, Kasun plays a pivotal role in promoting youth engagement in evaluation, aligned with
global initiatives such as #EvalYouth and #Eval4Action. A life member of the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association
(APEA) and the Sri Lanka Evaluation Association (SLEA), Kasun has consistently contributed to advancing evaluation
practices. Since 2019, he has excelled as an independent evaluator and capacity development consultant, supporting
various organizations in achieving their development goals. His dedication to empowering youth in evaluation
underscores his commitment to driving sustainable change through evidence-based decision-making.