Egerton University seeks partnership in the delivery of health care education and training

Staff from Staffordshire University’s School of Health, Science and Wellbeing pose for a group photo with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage and members of the University Management Board and Faculty of Health Sciences after a courtesy call on 22nd June 2022 at Main Campus in Njoro.

Faculty members from Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, Tim Davies and Joseph Natalello, paid a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor om 22^nd June 2022 at Main Campus in Njoro. They were accompanied by staff members from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Their visit to Egerton University comes against the establishment of the East African Centre of Excellence in Health Education and Training (CEHET) at Kisii University. Egerton signed an MoU early this year to be part of CEHET and will focus on different health care research and training areas. The establishment of CEHET at Kisii University is part of an agreement by the Kenya UK Health Alliance (KUKHA), a cooperation of the United Kingdom and Kenyan institutions (universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals) collaborating on health.

Mr Davies, from the School of Health, Science and Wellbeing at Staffordshire University, said that his institution will support the different universities that are part of CEHET in training medical students, specifically through simulation facilities.

He added that the use of simulation facilities replicated real-life clinical scenarios, allowing students to apply theory and, at the same time, gain experience without having to interact with patients. Mr Natalello echoed his remarks and added that the simulation facilities provided a safer learning environment for students and at the same time incorporated soft skills training in communication, clinical decision making and critical thinking.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage said that the University would look into developing concepts for the provision of medical simulation laboratories to enhance health care education delivery.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Bernard Aduda noted that the innovative medical simulation technology would ensure that Egerton’s graduates are better fit to adapt to the changing environment in health care delivery. He also added that there was a need to adopt technology in teaching and learning in other areas apart from medicine.

Dr Samson Obure a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Internal Medicine, said that the Nursing Department had started some form of simulation due to the increasing number of medical students in the medical field.

The Dean, Dr Christine Gathiri said that the introduction of the medical simulations would enhance the curriculum by including the soft skills adding that by the end of training the graduates will be better versed in managing real-life scenarios.

Dr Ronald Omenge from the Department of Community Health said that with hospitals limiting the number of patients exposed to medical students, the medical simulation would serve as a learning alternative to the students.

The Principal Nakuru Town Campus College, Prof Joshua Ogendo, the acting Director of Research and Extension Prof. Nancy Mungai and the acting Registrar (Human Capital & Administration) were also present. Prof Ogendo said that incorporating the soft skills would enrich training and practice, useful to the students. Prof. Mungai and Ms Kereto both appreciated the use of the medical simulations and for the possible partnerships of the institutions.