National Assessment Recommends Ways to Strengthen Kenya’s Health Training System

Recently, preliminary findings were released from a national performance needs assessment of public, faith-based, and private-sector health facilities and training institutions in Kenya. The findings suggest ways in which Kenya can improve its training system for health workers:

• Provide more resources, especially in information and communication technology
• Offer faculty and instructors more opportunities to learn about new teaching methods and curricula
• Create better clinical placements for students
• Take action against sexual harassment, discrimination against pregnant women in training, and occupational segregation.  

Capacity Kenya conducted the assessment in collaboration with the Ministry of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, and other organizations. The preliminary findings align with Kenya’s Human Resources for Health Strategic Plan 2009–2012, which calls for regular curriculum review and development to ensure health workers are trained to meet local needs. Samuel Kazungu Kambi, the assistant minister of medical services, said “The preliminary findings of this assessment should be used to improve curriculum for training of health workers so that it meets specific needs of the health sector.”

Capacity Kenya is led by IntraHealth International and funded by USAID. It builds on the success of the IntraHealth-led, USAID-funded Capacity Project, which preceded CapacityPlus.