First AMPATH Global Nursing Conference Convenes in Kenya
Nurses from around the world gathered for the first AMPATH Global Nursing Conference with the theme of “Advancing the Role of Nurses in Global Health.” Hosted in Eldoret by the AMPATH Nursing Working Group, the conference welcomed nurses from Kenya, the U.S., and their colleagues from AMPATH Ghana and AMPATH Nepal. The host institutions were Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Moi University School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The conference served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action to advance nursing and promote equitable health for all.
More than 240 conference attendees heard from leaders and learners from throughout the AMPATH partnership as well as government and local leaders. The leaders reflected on a shared commitment among stakeholders to advance nursing education, research and practice. They recognized the pivotal role of nurses in the healthcare system and underscored the importance of empowering nurses to lead and innovate in addressing global health challenges.
Professor Robert Tenge, principal of Moi University College of Health Sciences, welcomed the attendees on behalf of Moi University Vice-Chancellor Isaac Kosgey and celebrated the achievements of Moi University alumni in nursing education and research, highlighting the importance of mentorship and innovation in enriching nursing education. He highlighted Moi University’s plans to enhance nursing education and create an enabling environment for nurses to thrive.
MTRH CEO Phillip Kirwa said, “MTRH has evolved to offer specialized training programs, including higher diploma courses and Advanced Practice Nursing (APN), thereby contributing to the development of nurse practice.”
The Director Nursing Services for the Ministry of Health Dr. Judith Awinja reiterated the need for leaders to discuss strategies to address the mass exit of nurses from Africa, highlighting the need for policies promoting equity and reducing disparities. She also highlighted the pivotal role of nurses in healthcare, from health promotion to advocacy and policy development.
MTRH Director of Nursing Services, Titus Tarus, affirmed the value of capacity building, mentorship, virtual learning and increasing opportunities for nurses. “Population health depends largely on the nursing workforce. It is our duty as nurses and leaders to strategize and advance global health,” he said.
Hilary Kahn, PhD, interim vice president of international affairs at Indiana University (IU) emphasized the importance of nurses in advancing global healthcare. “The AMPATH partnership exemplifies three decades of equitable global health collaboration with nursing playing a pivotal role in driving positive change. This nursing conference celebrates these achievements and sets the stage for continued collaboration to shape the future of nursing and healthcare,” she said.
Representatives from AMPATH Ghana and AMPATH Nepal provided updates on their new global partnerships.
AMPATH Ghana's priorities include enhancing chronic disease management, providing essential medicine and supplies, improving medical education through online lectures and the establishment of simulation centers to improve clinical skills among healthcare professionals. They are recruiting a long-term nursing leader to drive nursing priorities and capitalize on grant opportunities.
AMPATH Nepal has launched several pilot projects to address critical health issues in Nepal, including cervical cancer prevention, adolescent health needs assessment, simulation-based education training, and pediatric emergency medical preparedness. These projects aim to improve healthcare access, quality, and training programs while fostering sustainable collaborations between local and international partners.
Professor Dinah Chelagat, dean of the Moi University School of Nursing and Midwifery, welcomed the participants to the conference. She emphasized the centrality of health as a national priority and the need for nurse-led interventions to improve accessibility and equity in healthcare.
Dr. Robin Newhouse, dean of the IU School of Nursing gave the keynote address on the second day of the conference. She focused on the evolving role of nurses in addressing global health challenges and emphasized nurses' pivotal role as health promoters, stressing the need to understand social determinants of health to overcome barriers in healthcare access.
Edna Tallam, former CEO of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), emphasized the importance of celebrating successes and achievements in nursing. She highlighted the need for collaborations and demystifying research to enhance clinical practice.
Other honored guests and presenters included:
Dean Julia Songok, Moi University School of Medicine
Mr. David Nyamu, General Manager of KCB Bank
Dr. Rebecca Ellis, IU School of Nursing Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
“We are grateful for the many nursing leaders from around Kenya and the world who joined this groundbreaking event to share their wisdom and insights,” said Faith Sila Clinical Nurse Education Manager at MTRH who led the conference planning with Dr. Jane von Gaudecker, assistant professor at the IU School of Nursing.
“This conference has energized all of us to expand our work together across schools, countries and disciplines. As AMPATH has shown us many times, we can accomplish so much more together than any of us can achieve on our own. We have so much to learn from each other,” added Dr. von Gaudecker.
Special thanks to conference supporters including IU School of Nursing, IU Center for Global Health Equity, Sigma Nursing, KCB Group, Phillips Therapeutics Limited, Crown Healthcare, Nairobi Enterprises Limited and Pfizer.
A pre-conference event focused on building the capacity of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in Kenya. Presenters included Dr. Tallam; Anne Mukuna, acting CEO of the NCK; Khumia Fredrick, representing the Director of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health; and representatives from other Kenyan and U.S. universities.