Assessing partnership linkages for health workforce and research capacity building in Kenya; Lessons learned

Abstract

Strategic partnerships across key stakeholders are critical to effectively roll out large scale health system interventions. Leveraging existing networks to develop stronger connections between partners can lead to more effective programs. The Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) focuses on supporting North-South collaborations to improve the quality and quantity of healthcare worker training, increase retention of health care worker, and support locally relevant research in Sub-Saharan Africa since 2010. The University of Nairobi (UoN) Partnerships for Innovative Medical Education Kenya (PRIME-K) program started with two international partners, the University of Maryland-Baltimore and the University of Washington. These two international partners supported program implementation by building institutional capacity through benchmarks for decentralized training, introducing e-learning platforms, improving research administration, support and mentorship, enhancing monitoring and evaluation, increasing innovative training and strengthening libraries. PRIME-K also had strong in-country partnerships with the Ministries of Health and Higher Education that were critical for the initial implementation of decentralized training and research in health facilities across Kenya.