1. Health Matters
Issue 1 # July 2016
Meet the team
Health updates
MEPI success stories
health education & research in africa

2. foreword
Meettheteam...
W
hy AfreHealth? It all
started with MEPI... The
success of MEPI over
the past four years has impacted
beyond the goal of transforming
and strengthening medical
education across Africa. Through
support from the HRSA and
PEPFAR/NIH grant, the Medical
Education Partnership Initiative
(MEPI) brought 32 African and 20
US institutions together in a 5-year
partnership programme aimed at
strengthening medical education
systems and clinical and research capacity in
Africa. The response was largely driven by a need
to transform health care delivery within resource
constrained environments on the continent.
In coming together under MEPI, African MEPI
PI’s quickly recognised the need for an African
leadership group to advance the goals and objectives
of MEPI on the continent.There was consensus
that the continent needed an African voice and
leadership to continue beyond the scope of MEPI
if we are to truly transform health care delivery in
Sub-Saharan Africa – and beyond. Having achieved
remarkable success through the MEPI grant,
African MEPI PI’s decided to rise to the clarion call
to establish a platform which echoes African health
goals whilst continuing the legacy of MEPI’s work
and expanding deliverables in health.This led to
the formation of the African Forum for Research
and Education in Health (AfreHealth) which we are
excited to officially launch today at this conference.
However, in doing so, we must acknowledge the role
and success of MEPI across our partner institutions
and that of our partners in the United States.
Through their shared vision, confidence, guidance
and unequivocal support we have been able to
navigate the challenging terrain of health where
we strive to do the best we can, with the little we
have. Our dreams and aspirations to come together
as African health professionals to reflect African
goals was always there, but through experience
gained with MEPI we were able to transform that
vision into a reality, so from all of us, we wish to
acknowledge and pay tribute to PEPFAR/NIH and
all those who contributed towards the success of
MEPI. Here’s to the continuation of transforming
lives in Africa through AFREHealth!
Dr.Miliard Derbew
Continuing the MEPI legacy under the banner of AFREHEALTH
Prof.peter
donkor
Kwame Nkrumah
University of
Science and
Technology, Ghana
Dr.Miliard
Derbew
Addis Ababa
University,
Ethiopia
Prof.Emilia
Noormahomed
Eduardo Mondlane
University
Mozambique
Dr.Sandy
Pillay
University of
KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
Dr Francis
Omaswa
African Centre
for Global Health
and Social
Transformation,
Uganda
Prof.
Nelson K.
Sewankambo
Makerere
University, Uganda
NEWS 1

3. afre health
organisational structure
our vision
A
fter much deliberation and
consultation, the African
Forum for Research and
Education in Health (AfreHealth) was
formally established by MEPI African
PI’s and officially launched at the
MEPI Symposium in Nairobi, Kenya,
in August 2016, which marks the end
of MEPI’s 5-year term and the dawn
of AfreHealth.
At the heart of the ethos of
AFREHealth is the confidence and
wealth of skills in transforming health
care gained through more than five
years conducting MEPI project work
on the continent. African institutions
involved in MEPI are now well placed
to transfer the knowledge, training
and multidisciplinary approach in
tackling the high disease burden
across Africa against the backdrop of
limited resources and skills.
objectives of AFREHealth
include:
Providing African leadership for
responsive health professionals’
education, training, research and
service through:
Partnership/collaboration across
Africa, to ultimately include
Francophone countries and fragile
states recovering from epidemics
and war
Networking
Advocacy
Resource mobilisation
Strategic communication
Sharing best practice
Working towards an AIDS free
generation on the continent
Transformation of health
professions education
Serving as a platform to facilitate
health provision and improve
health workforce
Underpinning the above objectives lie:
Professionalism
Accountability
Mutual Respect
Team Spirit
Gender Sensitivity
Excellence
Equity Activities & Programs
AFREHealth will ensure a robust
engagement of stakeholders and those
who share its vision to answer the call
of Africa’s health concerns. This will be
achieved through the establishment of
a research agenda to address key health
priorities including TB, HIV, Malaria, MCH,
NCDs and emerging and repeat epidemics.
A mass communication strategy aimed at
prevention will ensure key objectives are
met through strategies which include:
1 Partnerships with similar
organisations in Africa such as
African Medical Schools Association,
African Platforms.
2 Mobilisation of resources.
3 Participation in relevant conferences
for advocacy and networking.
4 Annual conferences for the exchange
of information, knowledge and best
practice.
5 Regular communication among
members and support of technical
working groups.
6 Dissemination of relevant
information including tool kits,
technical guidance, pub-lications and
policy briefs.
7 Support activities of technical
working groups.
research protocols
developed with 35
publications.
MEPI success
Mozambique
3 Virtual
Libraries with
75 computers
created at UEM
and UniLurio.
Prof.James
G.Hakim
Medicine,
University Of
Zimbabwe
Prof.Kien
Alfred Mteta
Director General,
Bugando Medical
Centre, Tanzania
Dr.
Nkomazana
Oathokwa
Associate Program
Director, University
Of Botswana
School Of Medicine
Prof.Fatima
Suleman
Associate
Professor, School
of Health Sciences,
University of
KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
Prof.
Marietjie de
Villiers
Stellenbosch
University, South
Africa
Dr.Gachuno
Onesmus
Specialist
Gynaecologist
& Obstetrician,
Nairobi, Kenya
prof.isaac
kibwage
University of
Nairobi, Kenya
Continuing the MEPI legacy under the banner of AFREHEALTH
Dr.Elsie
Kiguli-
Malwadde
African Centre
for Global Health
and Social
Transformation,
Uganda
Rose Chalo
Nabirye
Acting Dean,
School of Health
Sciences Makerere
University,
Kampala, Uganda
Dr.Steve B.
Kamiza
Associate Professor,
Anatomical
Pathology,
University of
Malawi
VICTORIA BAM
Department
of Nursing,
Kwame Nkrumah
University of
Science and
Technology, Ghana
Moses
Simuyemba
University of
Zambia
2 NEWS NEWS 3
Governing
Council
secretariat
task force task force
executive
committee
sub-
committee
sub-
committee
sub-
committee
sub-
committee

4. Continuing the MEPI legacy under the banner of AFREHEALTH
MEPI success
tanzania
Introduction
offiberoptic
connectivityto
campus
Provision of
computer tablets
to all incoming
medical students.
Establishment of student
and faculty computer
laboratories.
Mamudo
Rafik Ismail
Eduardo Mondlane
University,
Mozambique
Midion
Mapfumo
Chidzonga
University of
Zimbabwe
Q
How will health professionals
and academics benefit from
AfreHealth?
A Emerging out of MEPI, AfreHealth will collaborate with
partner organisations to promote research and training
curriculum updates in member institutions. Training and capacity
building of health professionals in research and teaching methods
will constitute a core activity as not only will this improve the
calibre of health professionals on the continent but will also
facilitate access to grants in support of research which is critically
needed in our search for new and innovative ways to treat the
high disease burden.
AfreHealth is set
to play a key role
in enhancing
health care on
the continent.
Zohra Teke speaks
to lead member,
Prof.Peter Donkor,
about plans for
the future.
Q
How will AfreHealth improve
maternal and child health on
the continent?
A AfreHealth is an interdisciplinary health professional forum which
seeks to improve health care through research, education and capacity
building, particularly in the critical area of maternal and child health.
This includes focal research on reproductive health, maternal mortality,
sexually transmitted infections including HIV, childhood malnutrition,
malaria,and diarrhoeal diseases which remain a key challenge for Africa.
Q
What are some of the key
challenges?
A The health challenges in Africa require a collective and decisive
leadership which would address issues through African eyes. AfreHealth
will provide this leadership to enable it to partner with relevant
governmental & non-governmental stakeholders and international
collaborators. Through a concerted effort which brings together
experienced, trained and educated experts AfreHealth will be able to
address some of the obstacles in overcoming health challenges on the
continent. Key challenges like resource constraints, lack of training,
shortages of personnel etc require that we pool together to address
these issues which is a key element of AfreHealth. The organisation will
work at removing barriers in research and education between health
professionals in Africa by providing a common focus for our endeavours.
It has the potential to improve dialogue, research and educational
partnerships and understanding among the health professions and thus
improve efficiency and minimize wastage of scarce resources.
Gubela Mji
Stellenbosch
University,
South Africa
Jean
Nachega
Stellenbosch
University,
South Africa
Aster Tsegaye
Addis Ababa
University,
Ethiopia
Daniel
Mengistu
Addis Ababa
University,
Ethiopia
Rogathe
Machange
KCMC, Tanzania
Abigail
Kazembe
University of
Malawi
Prof.Mulla
Yakub
Former Dean,
School of Medicine,
University of
Zambia
Prof.David
Olufemi
Olaleye
University of
Ibadan, Nigeria
MEPI success
KENYA
170 midwives and related
professionals trained in
obstetric emergency newborn
resuscitation team training
(PRONTO)
18 certified local and
1 master trainer.
linkageswith
Kenyan,African,
andglobalinstitutions
putinplace.
MEPI success
Nairobi
Through MEPI funding,The University
of Nairobi together with AMREF
introduced a program to upgrade
registered nurses to degree level.
A strategy was also introduced to
increase retention of health workers
in rural facilities.This approach
has helped the School of Nursing
increase its intake capacity from 50
to 300 a year – with 449 students
having enrolled to date.
Nthabiseng
Phaladze
University of
Botswana
4 NEWS NEWS
q&a

5. news
Ethiopia
Student to text book ratio has increased to
almost one to one for major clinical courses despite
the sharp rise in the number of medical students.
The increase in access to text books is largely due
to the success of the MEPI collaboration which led
to improved access to major clinical text books for
medical students at Addis Ababa University School
of Medicine.
kenya
The East African Community Ministers for
Finance and Health have adopted a Framework
of Action on Sustainable Financing of health
and HIV. This recommends three strategic policy
actions - to increase public spending on health
to 15% as recommended in the Abuja Declaration,
increase tax administration efficiency to finance
health and to increase the efficiency of health and
HIV service delivery.
Uganda
Taking a bath before surgery, closing
the door to the operating theatre and ensuring
surgeons clean their hands properly can be the
difference between life and death. A study involving
more than 650 surgical patients in Uganda showed
the rate of infections halved after new measures
were introduced. As a result, patients are spending
less time in hospital, resulting in cost-savings for
both the patient and the hospital.
Nigeria
The Nigerian Sovereign Investment
Authority in partnership with the federal Ministry
of Health have signed a series of agreements to
modernise and expand health care services through
private sector participation. The agreements look
to develop the capacity of specialist hospitals
and diagnostic centres to ensure they are able to
provide advanced medical care services.
Mozambique
The Ministry of Health hopes to reduce
the prevalence of chronic malnutrition among
Mozambican children to 20 per cent by 2020,
according to latest reports from the Health
Systems Trust. The Ministry’s latest efforts come
as the country grapples with around 43 per cent
of its children under five years of age suffering
from chronic malnutrition. Efforts to reduce these
figures include the launch of the Communication
Strategy for Social and Behavioural Change to
Prevent Malnutrition.
Malawi
Young Ireen Zalira has been named among
the four young Africans who are changing the
world. Together with two friends, Zalira established
the female-led organization, Growing Ambitions
to include 30 teenage mothers from Lilongwe. “We
are now supporting more than 40 girls by providing
a safe space for sharing, learning and mentorship,
we also provide financial support for the girls to go
back and stay in school,” she says.
Zimbabwe
The Government of Zimbabwe has teamed
up with international stakeholders to develop
national action plan to fight Antimicrobial
Resistance based on the “One Health” concept. The
plan is touted as a first for Zimbabwe - and amongst
developing countries to initiate a “One Health
National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance”
with collaboration of the human, agricultural and
environmental sectors working together.
Botswana
Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato
has called on the country’s health institutions to
produce quality that they could be proud of as
they were the backbone of the health care system.
Ms Makgato has also lamented the long wait for
outcomes of research, adding this could in some
instances delay service delivery.
South Africa
South Africans will be eating less salt, as
new legislation to reduce salt in processed foods
came into effect last month. Reforms in salt came
amidst alarming figures pointing to South Africans
intake of salt being twice the recommended daily
salt limit of 5 grams a day - with most of this
contained in manufactured foods.
Zambia
A Zambia based safari guide, Huw Jones,
has launched an innovative first to help rural
communities in Zambia access health assistance.
His charity, called Virtual Doctors, based in the UK,
uses the expertise of volunteer doctors in the UK
to provide direct and individual support for health
workers in Zambia. “Many families depend on rural
health centres, which have health workers but no
qualified doctors. The virtual doctors project means
that these isolated health centres can be supported
by doctors thousands of miles away,” he explains.
Inbrief...
MEPI success
southafrica
Morethan
400mastertrainerstrainedon
theEssentialStepsinthe
ManagementofObstetric
Emergencies(ESMOE)
Video game
concept on
medicine research
More than 1,500 1195
pre-service and in-service
nurses trained in NIMART.
MEPI success
ethiopia
Morethan6,000
tabletsdistributedto
medicalstudentsover
4medicalschools,
whichincludes
medicaltextbooks,
SIMcard,Wi-Fi
accessandmore!
According to the latest UNICEF report,from 1990 to
2015,the global maternal mortality ratio declined by
44% – from 385 deaths to 216 deaths per 100,000 live
births.Whilst hailed as impressive,this is less than half
the 5.5 per cent annual rate needed to achieve the
three-quarters reduction in maternal mortality targeted
for 2015 in Millennium Development Goal 5 – more
concerning as levels of maternal mortality remain
unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa.
NEWS 7

6. Estimated number of
women (15+) living
with HIV
Estimated number of
pregnant women living
with HIV
Estimated number of
children (<15) living
with HIV
Estimated number of
children (<15) newly
infected with HIV
Estimated number of
children (<15) dying of
AIDS-related causes
Source: UNAIDS 2014 HIV & AIDS
estimates, July 2015
global
17.4 million
esar
10.3 million
60%
global
1.5 million
esar
940 000
64%
global
2.6 million
esar
1.6 million
61%
global 220 000
esar
93 000
43%
global150 000
esar
74 000
49%
Global summary of HIV epidemic in women and children 2014
MEPI success
GHANA
Locally-basedemergency
medicineandnursing
curriculumdeveloped
withUniversityof
MichiganinGhana.
South-South &
North-South
collaborations
established
HIV/AIDS training
conducted for trainees
using locally developed
guidelines and SOPs
for HIV/AIDS care in the
Emergency Department.
An Overview of NEPI
Launched in 2011, NEPI is a PEPFAR initiative administered by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) and implemented by ICAP at
Columbia University. It is part of HRSA’s Global Nursing Capacity
Building Program and aims to promote sustainable control of the
HIV epidemic by addressing shortfalls in the number, quality, and
capacity of nurses and midwives.
TheNEPIinitiative
hasbuiltthecapacityof
22nursingschoolsto
implementinternational
bestpracticesinpre-
servicenursingand
midwiferyeducation.
Morethan 23,600
students have
enrolled in
NEPI-supported
programs.
Over 10,400 students have
graduated and joined the
health workforce
NURSING EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
INITIATIVE (NEPI)
Susan Michaels-Strasser,NEPI Project Director,ICAP
“We are excited to move into the
next phase of HRH strengthening
and look forward to close collab-
oration with the MEPI PI council
and MEPI institutions through the
new body AfreHealth. As we move
into the next phase of HIV care
and treatment, epidemic control
and achievement of 90-90-90, it
is imperative that medicine and
nursing actively collaborate to
achieve these ambitious goals”
Dr.SusanMichaels-Strasser
Achievements to Date
Access to nursing education. With NEPI support, nursing
schools have expanded their infrastructure to accommodate
more students and upgraded their facilities with clinical skills
simulation labs and computerised research centers.
Curricular reform. ICAP has worked with NEPI-supported
schools to reform curricula and ensure that they are aligned
with the competencies needed for frontline nursing and
midwifery, including HIV-related competencies.
Faculty development. ICAP has trained and mentored faculty
in new methods of academic teaching and clinical instruction,
preceptorship, and the development of competency-based
curricula. Nursing schools are linked through online networks
that facilitate sharing of experience and learning and support
implementation of best practices. Advanced degree programs,
including a doctoral program in Malawi, have improved career
development opportunities for nursing educators, and two new
degree programs in nursing education have been launched to
train additional faculty.
Institutional capacity. ICAP has built NEPI partner schools’
capacity to sustain achievements to date and continue
updating the education they offer beyond NEPI, based on
new clinical guidelines and national health priorities.
8 NEWS NEWS
focus

7. African Centre for Global Health
and Social Transformation
(ACHEST)
Address: Plot 13B,Acacia Avenue
P.O. Box 9974, Kampala, Uganda
Telephone: 2564145237225 / 041423722