Sanata is a clinical dermatologist specializing in HIV/AIDS. She was a pioneer in setting up the NGO "Mieux Vivre avec le sida" (Better living with AIDS) in her native Niger. She was for several years Director of the Niger National AIDS Program. From the beginning of Global Fund, Sanata was lead proposal writer for HIV/AIDS grant proposals, co-author of the national HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, sub-recipient of Global Fund grants, and Member of the CCM. She is currently director of the Solthis program in Niamey.