Background
The Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, not for profit, international University first established in 1983, with 11 teaching sites in eight countries. The Aga Khan University, Nairobi offers training in Neonatology in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. This fellowship is aimed at contributing to the attainment of the highest possible level of neonatal and child health in East Africa through high quality care, teaching, research, and advocacy. The program exists to promote and advance knowledge, skills, and practice of healthcare workers in Neonatology.
Successful applicants will undergo a two-year competency-based training program at the Aga Khan University which includes extensive supervised clinical experience. The fellow will also do a research project which should be submitted for publication prior to completion of the program. Fellows will have a dual reporting to the Fellowship Program Director and Chair department of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the fellowship is competency based, where fellows complete a specified written course study in Neonatology and engage in case- based study as outlined in the curriculum.
Program Objectives include:
• To produce highly skilled Neonatologists who will be regional leaders providing quality care locally and beyond.
• To promote and advance knowledge, skills, and practice of Neonatology.
• To promote relevant research in cardiology that will help reach the Sustainable Development Goals for sub-Saharan Africa.
• To develop relevant guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of neonates.
• To collaborate with relevant colleges, organizations, and associations in the Region and internationally as appropriate.
• To promote neurological health through advocacy for improved awareness, prevention, and access to high-quality care.
Minimum admission requirements:
Candidates will be considered eligible for trainee fellowship in the Paediatric Neurology Fellowship Program if they meet all the following requirements:
1. A qualified paediatrician with a Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health (MMED) from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
2. Registered to practice in Kenya by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
3. Completion of at least two years of practice as a Paediatrician.
4. Currently employed as a paediatrician in a recognized health institution.
5. Evidence of proficiency in English language if previous degrees were not in English.
6. Valid professional indemnity cover during the period of training.
7. Following interviews, successful candidates employed by the county governments need to secure approval and release from a county government or institution training committee. This release should include commitment from the employer to continue your salary during the training period.
8. Evidence of bonding from the current employer will be required from successful candidates, prior to admission to commence training.
Recruitment into the programme will be conducted through a transparent competitive selection process that would include consideration of a written application, shortlisting and interview process.
Personal attributes:
• Demonstrate high-level clinical skills and display an understanding of family engagement in the care of neonates.
• Good communication skills.
• Effective team player and manager.
• An organized learner with an appropriate training mindset.
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct daily ward rounds. Participate actively in all matters relating to patient care and contribute to decision-making during daily rounds, with assistance from the attending staff.
• Review and examine patients consistently by performing such duties as taking case histories, conducting physical examinations, and ordering diagnostic laboratory and radiology studies in discussion with consultants.
• Participate in practical clinical rotations in Aga Khan University Hospital, and Kenyatta National Hospital. Fellows will rotate in the in-patient and out-patient areas. Clinical experience will include ‘on-call’ duties.
• Initiate discussions with patients and caregivers to enable better diagnostic and therapeutic medical care and services.
• Provide telephone guidance to physicians seeking advice from the AKUHN affiliated staff for acute neonatal-related disorders during evenings and weekends/holidays, with backup provided from the attending staff.
• Assist in the performance of certain technical procedures, as per privileges under the direct supervision of the attending physician.
• Approve/clarify orders (investigations, consultations, and treatments) written by junior house staff in cases of uncertainty.
• Attend to critical patients in a timely manner. When necessary, carry out privileged and potentially life-saving emergency surgical and medical procedures as per privileges and competency.
• Educate patients on wellness, prevention and early detection of neonatal conditions.
• Provide appropriate materials, resources and referrals to patients, family members/care givers.
• Educate patients on informed consent, choice of attending physician and right to seek second opinion.
• Present cases at ward and clinic-pathology/ multidisciplinary rounds, Morbidity and Mortality Rounds.
• Provide regular junior resident teaching, under the supervision of the attending staff.
• Supervision and education of junior house staff.
• Take charge of morning rounds, and be the first voice in generating patient management
• Initiate timely discussions with relevant consultants/departments to arrive at the best treatment plan for specialized cases.
• Attend morning hand-over and sign-out rounds to assist in transferring care to/from the on-call teams.
• Ensure that daily progress notes are made for all patients.
• Assist in screening potential transfers/admissions to/from critical care units, with assistance from the attending staff
Fellowship Completion requirements To successfully complete the fellowship requirements, the fellow will be expected to:
• Participate in clinics and external rotations as assigned / determined by the curriculum rotation timelines.
• Timely completion of logbook requirements, providing details of procedures performed, patients managed, and clinical/pathological meetings attended.
• Completion of a scholarly article and publishing it in a reputable peer reviewed journal.
• Upon completion of the 2-year training period, the fellow will undergo post-training mentorship for one year and is expected to carry out a quality improvement project in their facility/hospital.
How to Apply
Applications should include a completed Sponsorship Application Form, cover letter, detailed current curriculum vitae, statement of motivation, academic certificates and transcripts.
The application should be sent by email to: The Chairperson, Department of Paediatrics, Aga Khan University – mc.ea@aku.edu.
The closing date for applications is open until filled.
DR. JUSTUS MAINGI SIMBA MBChB, PhD.
Dr. Elizabeth Kiragu is a Paediatric Allergy Specialist and full time faculty based at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. She attended the University of Nairobi and for her undergraduate degree and her Masters in Paediatrics and Child Health. She completed a 2-year Paediatric Allergy fellowship at the University of Cape Town. Dr. Kiragu has established comprehensive allergy services within the Paediatric Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. She has a special interest in food allergies, urticaria, asthma and allergy advocacy. She is committed towards advancing allergy care in Kenya at primary care level via presenting on a wide variety of topics at various National and Regional Conferences/Symposiums.
DR. JOY MUYONGA
DR. JUSTUS MAINGI SIMBA MBChB, PhD.
Dr. Barnabas Kigen
DR. JUSTUS MAINGI SIMBA MBChB, PhD.
Dr. Caren Ito Emadau
Affiliation: Machakos County
Fred Were is Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health specializing in Newborn Medicine. He presently holds portfolios of; Dean School of Medicine University of Nairobi (UON), Acting Principal College of Health Sciences (UON), Adjunct Professor of Newborn Medicine at the Aga Khan University (East Africa) and Executive Director/Chief Researcher of The Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium a wing of the Kenya Paediatric Association.
Njeri Wahome delights in all things administration. With over 20 years of experience in operations management in the development sector, Njeri as hands-on experience in strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, administration and logistics planning. She has experience providing technical assistance to NGOs on institutional strengthening for growth and sustainability.
Thomas Ngwiri is Head Clinician at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital since February 2010. He is also Director of the Paediatric endocrinology training centre for Africa (PETCA) – Nairobi which trains paediatricians from sub-Saharan Africa in the field of diabetes and other endocrine disorders. He has been a member of the Kenya Paediatric association executive since 2010 and is the immediate former National Chair of the association.
Dr. Lawrence Okong’o Owino is a lecturer at the department of paediatrics and child health at the University of Nairobi. He is also a consultant paediatrician at the Kenyatta National hospital as well as a consultant paediatrician and rheumatologist for all the major hospitals in Nairobi. He is a pioneer paediatric rheumatologist. His research interests are in the field of musculoskeletal health and immunizations. He has published papers in peer reviewed journals focussing mainly on childhood rheumatic disorders.
MBChB (UoN), MMed (UoN) M.Phil-MCH (UCT)). Dr Osano is a Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, a consultant Paediatrician cardiologist at Kenyatta National Hospital. He has been the Program Coordinator for the NIH MEPI grant awarded to the University of Nairobi: Strengthening Maternal Newborn Child Health Research Training in Kenya. He has special interest in Maternal Child Health.
Dr. Joe Mbuthia is a graduate of the University of Oxford, with a specialty in Paediatric Infectious Diseases. He is an honorary Lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics and Child health, University of Nairobi as well as a Senior Technical Advisor to the HIV programme – Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium.
Dr. David Githanga is an accomplished medical professional with over 37 years of clinical practice experience. He holds a fellowship of the royal college of physicians of Edinburg (2021, a PhD in Medical Immunology from the University of Nairobi. (2019), Masters in public Health from the University of London (2010), He qualified in paediatric cardiology from the Royal Hospital for sick Children in Glasgow UK (1993), A Diplomate in Child Environmental Health from Athens Greece (2005, a Master’s degree in pediatrics from the University of Nairobi (1990) having obtained his MB,chB from the same University in 1984. Over the years he has demonstrated leadership capability and strategic thinking that has been instrumental in spearheading the growth, development and integration of the Kenya Pediatric Association (KPA) where he served in executive positions for a total period of 19 years.
Dr. Doris M.W. Kinuthia is medical professional with expertise in paediatrics and adolescent medicine, nephrology and HIV. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with medical qualifications MB.Ch.B and M.Med in Paediatrics. She has Certificates in Tropical medicine and Immunology from the same University. She did her fellowship in Paediatric Nephrology at the hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street, London.U.K. She has a post graduate diploma and Master of Business Administration from Sunderland University U.K.
Denish Osodo works at Safaricom Limited as the Internal Audit Director. He has wide and deep experience in Accounting and Audit with along progressive career in Assurance, Governance and Risk Services.
Dr. Makeba Shiroya Wandabwa is a Paediatrician and Public Health Specialist, with a strong health systems background having worked in various capacities to develop child health policies and guidelines, implement and monitor high impact child health interventions at the international, national, sub national and community levels. She has provided technical, strategic, evaluation and operational support for RMNCAH/HIVAIDS health programs funded by USAID, DFID, Global Fund and World Health Organization.
Dr. Kibore received her bachelor’s degree in medicine and her master’s degree in Pediatrics and Child Health both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, she then went on and completed a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Washington, USA.
Denish Osodo works at Safaricom Limited as the Internal Audit Director. He has wide and deep experience in Assurance, Governance and Risk Services. Prior to joining Safaricom, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for several years, offering audit and business advisory services to Companies in different industries during his stints in Kenya and United Kingdom offices. He left PwC as a Director in the Risk Assurance Services team focusing on the provision of Internal Audit and business Controls Advisory Services to clients across Africa.
AFFILIATIONS: Department of Paediatrics and Child health, University of Nairobi.
AFFILIATIONS: Aga Khan University Nairobi, Kenya.
AFFILIATIONS:
AFFILIATION: Medical services Nairobi City County
AFFILIATIONS: Aga Khan University Hospital
AFFILIATIONS: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kenyatta University.
AFFILIATIONS: Gertrudes Childrens Hospital