2nd November, 2010
Source: London International Development Centre (LIDC) website
The benefits and drawbacks of open and distance learning for the health community working in developing countries were discussed at a two-day event. Successes shared at the workshop organised by LIDC included programmes for nurses in Kenya and India. Challenges identified included low completion rates and inappropriate technologies for poor settings. Speakers also ventured beyond health education to explain how competence does not necessarily equate to performance, and how health outcomes are dependent upon many factors, such as politics, pay and job satisfaction.
Caroline Mbindyo, AMREF's e-learning programme manager described how “extraordinary pressures” within the Kenyan health system, including a moratorium on hiring new nurses, have led to the use of e-learning to upgrade nursing skills. This partnership, involving AMREF and Accenture, has rapidly increased access to health education; more than 7,000 nurses are enrolled at 34 schools and there are 108 e-learning centres across the country, including centres which run on solar energy. Mbindyo said many of the nurses had not used computers before starting the course, but that resistance to change is being overcome, and further innovation is planned. She added: “We are looking at other devices which are more available, including mobile phones.”
Read the full article at: http://www.lidc.org.uk/news_detail.php?news_id=104
