Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

The department was established in April 2004, at the inception of the School of Health Sciences,  as one of the core clinical departments required in the training of health practitioners. It was not until 2009 that it became fully operational as an independent department within the School of Health Sciences.  Its core mandate was to offer training in Paediatrics and Child Health to undergraduate students admitted for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree course.

The course is taught in 2 phases: the junior clerkship which comprises 9 introductory units is done during the 4^th year of study, while the senior clerkship covers 17 additional units offered in the 5^th year of study.  The department has experienced significant growth in the student population from the first class of ten (10) students at inception, to currently a class of 120 students per academic year in 2024.

The faculty has also increased to eleven (11) full-time lecturers currently and a pool of honorary and part-time lecturers. Our faculty are renown scholars, and subspecialists in various paediatric disciplines including; neonatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, nephrology, endocrinology, intensivists, developmental paediatrics, infectious disease experts, and public health specialists.

Our esteemed faculty are involved in diverse research activities at the individual level, in collaboration with our external partners, and through the supervision of postgraduate thesis projects. The department has already developed a training curriculum for the Masters in Pediatrics and Child Health course which is expected to be launched in the academic year 2025/2026.

DEPARTMENTAL VISION, MISSION STATEMENT AND COREV VALUES

Vision Statement

To become a center of excellence in paediatric training, teaching, and learning, and to be a research hub, that will generate knowledge to inform policy, and provide technical advice on diverse child health matters globally.

Mission Statement

To produce highly competent, responsive, and passionate child health practitioners who will work in diverse settings locally and internationally.

Core Values

To mentor students in paediatrics, who will uphold high standards of professionalism, ethical practices, preservation of life, integrity, and respect for client diversity and confidentiality.

Objectives

The programs are designed to train child health practitioners who should attain the following competencies:

1. Equipped with scientific knowledge, skills, and the right attitude to undertake comprehensive clinical evaluation and appropriate care of children.

2. Equipped with knowledge and skills in primary health care and community health.

3. Equipped with knowledge and skills to conduct basic and clinical research.

4. Capable of analyzing child health issues and liking them to advocacy and policy development.

5. Capable of effective communication training and appreciate the value of teamwork.

6. Equipped with knowledge and skills in basic sciences, diagnostics, ethics, and counseling.

AFFILIATED PROGRAMS, COLLABORATIONS AND RESOURCES

Collaborations and linkages

The department has established linkages and collaborations with various partners. Some of our key partners include the Ministry of Health (MOH), Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, and Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital where our students undertake their clinical clerkships.

The department also collaborates with other local universities such as the University of Nairobi, various international Universities, private hospitals such as the Gertrude Children's Hospital, KEMRI, the Kenya Paediatrics Association, the respective subspecialist associations, non-governmental organizations, multinational organizations, and civil society groups including parent support groups.

Areas of collaboration have included staff and student exchange programs, joint research projects, provision of technical expertise, and resource sharing. The department endeavors to forge new collaborations that are progressive and of mutual benefit to the two institutions.

Resources

Our students have access to various University resources. Among these is the post-modern Kenyatta University library which has a medical section that stocks current textbooks and journals. In addition, the university subscribes to various e-journals and e-books available from the maktaka.ku.ac.ke site.

During clinical training, our students have access to diverse paediatric cases attending services at the various teaching hospitals. All students receive the ‘Basic Paediatric Protocol’ developed by the Ministry of Health to ensure they attain the minimum care standards of practice in the management of common paediatric cases.

In addition, clinical skills laboratories have simulators used for teaching clinical skills. The school of medicine also has well-equipped teaching and research laboratories used for training and research purposes respectively.

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
Our esteemed faculty participate in various continuous professional education forums either as trainers or as participants. Members actively participate in the annual Scientific Kenya Paediatric Association conference held every year, a forum that seeks to share new knowledge and disseminate research findings in the field of paediatrics. Our faculty also participates in other educational events hosted in our partner institutions, or by the respective sub-specialist level associations. The department organizes at least one workshop and/or seminar every quarterly, touching on diverse emerging child health issues, to educate the university community and beyond.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Our faculty are involved in various outreach services. They offer consultancy services to paediatric patients admitted at our teaching hospitals including the Departments of Paediatrics at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital and the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital. They also offer consultancy services at various private and mission hospitals. Members participate in outreach events organized by our partner organizations. These include participation in medical camps and events aimed at raising awareness of some of the specific disorders during the world illness-specific days. Our staff and students also participate in public health education forums in collaboration with the Kenyatta University TV stations, on social media platforms, and sometimes through mainstream media. Other activities have included disease prevention and health promotion events organized by organized by various local churches, Non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Health, The Kenya Paediatric
Association, and local politicians.

Current student testimonials
‘The department has made great strides towards teaching the course of paediatrics to students despite enormous challenges. With only a skeleton staff and limited case availability, as students we were pushed to embrace innovative learning technologies and maximize all available learning opportunities. We indeed confirm that it turned out to be among the best clinical clerkships we had’- Peter Kwatenba, 2013 class.

Notable students:
2012 class; Barrack Geoffrey Omondi
2013 class: Barbara  Awuor Odac

Alumni/ student testimonials
‘We had a very interactive learning experience. Most of our lectures knew as all by our names, and we were closely mentored to become excellent paediatric practiotioners we are today’ –  Dr. Tom Mboya, 2012 class.