Fellowship in Paediatric Rheumatology.
Background
The Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international, private, international, not-for-profit university established in 1983, with 11 teaching sites across eight countries. AKU’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in Nairobi offers a prestigious Fellowship in Paediatric Rheumatology, aimed at improving the health of children across Africa and the Globe through world-class training in the management of pediatric rheumatic conditions. The program seeks to develop future leaders in pediatric rheumatology, with expertise in clinical care, research, education, and advocacy.
Program Overview
This fellowship is a two-year, competency-based program that provides comprehensive training in pediatric rheumatology. Fellows will gain extensive hands-on clinical experience, multidisciplinary collaboration, and engage in cutting-edge research. The fellowship is designed to nurture sub-specialists who demonstrate excellence in patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, communication, and system-based practice.
Program Objectives
• To train physicians to diagnose and manage children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases.
• To promote the use of a multidisciplinary team approach in the care of pediatric patients.
• To equip fellows with critical communication skills to foster relationships with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
• To develop expertise in evidence-based medical care and clinical investigation.
• To instill professionalism, ethical practice, and a deep sense of responsibility toward patients and society.
• To promote life-long learning and continuous self-improvement in patient care.
• To develop leadership skills essential for working in and managing multidisciplinary teams.
Fellowship Highlights
• Extensive supervised clinical rotations in pediatric rheumatology.
• A focus on research, with a requirement to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration across departments.
• Mentorship from experienced rheumatology experts.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Aga Khan University Hospital.
• Leadership development through hands-on training in patient care and team management
Learning Outcomes
Fellows will graduate with:
1. The ability to diagnose and manage pediatric rheumatic diseases.
2. Expertise in working within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
3. Advanced communication skills for patient-centered care.
4. The ability to critically appraise medical literature and implement evidence-based care.
5. Competence in designing and conducting research in pediatric rheumatology.
6. Professional attributes include ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and societal responsibility.
7. Skills to evaluate and improve patient care through lifelong learning and self-assessment.
8. Leadership skills to guide healthcare teams and manage complex clinical cases.
Minimum Admission Requirements
• A Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health (MMED) or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Registered to practice in Kenya or other East African countries.
• At least two years of experience in pediatric practice.
• Proficiency in English.
• Valid professional indemnity cover for the duration of the training.
• Commitment from your employer to continue your salary during training, where applicable.
How to Apply
If you are ready to make a lasting impact on pediatric rheumatology care, send your application, including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and a statement of motivation to:
The Chairperson, Department of Paediatrics, Aga Khan University Email: mc.ea@aku.edu
The deadline for interested applicants 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