Amref International University (AMIU) has announced a pioneering degree programme in Community Health Practice which seeks to address the shortage of trained community health practitioners in the sub-Sahara region.
The health sciences university is also introducing a BSc. in Health Systems Management and Development to ensure that current and future health systems managers are professionally prepared.
The two programmes commence on 10th May 2018 and will seek to equip high school graduates and middle-level healthcare workers with knowledge and skills for operative implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
The Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Peter Ngatia noted that the development of the degree courses was informed by the experience and intellect of Amref Health Africa which is reputed with over 60 years of quality and innovative public and community health interventions, training and education.
The health industry needs well equipped experts to guarantee functional health systems which will facilitate the implementation of Primary Health Care interventions. Dr. Ngatia reiterated the need for stronger relationships between communities and formal health systems through enhancing the skills of Community Health Practitioners.
In Kenya, for instance, there only 8.6 nurses and midwives for 10,000 population and only 66% of births are attended by a skilled health worker. The number of health workers across various cadres is inadequate and unevenly distributed. Amref International University plans to train over 3500 highly skilled health workers over the next 5 years who will provide solutions to the existing and emerging health challenges in Africa.
AMIU will offer courses in Health Professional Education, Nursing and Midwifery, Laboratory Sciences, Health Research, Physiotherapy and a variety of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. The graduates of these programmes will improve the severe shortage of health workers across sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, the graduates will have the necessary experience and knowledge to address the challenges faced in the delivery of healthcare. This will ensure that child mortality rates are reduced as they will link families to essential services and equip them with information and skills to prevent disease, promote good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene.
Amref International University is an accredited institution of higher learning having been granted its Letter of Interim Authority on 1st August 2017 by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
The university is commitment to progressively develop innovative programmes catering to the present and future needs of African populations. AMIU is Pan-African and is poised to attract faculty, researchers and students from all corners of the African Continent. Like its parent institution, Amref Health Africa, AMIU will endeavour to offer the best in teaching, research and community services.
