More than 85% of Kenya’s 20,000 nurses are trained at certificate level and do not have registered nurses’ diploma, leaving them inadequately qualified to treat major diseases, such as HIV, TB and malaria. Classroom-based training for the registered nurses’ diploma was limited, meaning only 100 of the 20,000 nurses could qualify each year. This has left Kenya with just one registered nurse per 27,000 people.
To speed the process, AMREF and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) have shifted the emphasis from traditional classroom based teaching to ‘paper-based’ distance learning and then to ‘eLearning’. In partnership with the Kenyan Ministry of Health, Accenture (a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company), the Kenya Medical Training Colleges and several private and faith-based nursing schools, AMREF and NCK are:
- using eLearning to register nearly 20,000 Kenyan nurses by 2011
- training AMREF and NCK staff to run and monitor the eLearning programme
- advocating for the eLearning programme to be replicated in other African countries.
NCK, AMREF and Accenture have developed four computer-based training modules being delivered through more than 100 eLearning centres – reaching nurses in the most remote areas of Kenya. Twenty-five nursing schools are also taking part in the programme. To date, more than 4,500 nurses have enrolled in the programme, using both print and eLearning modules.
Unlike traditional training, the eLearning programme is flexible, enabling students to learn anytime and anywhere, and without the need to stop working while they upgrade their skills.
AMREF staff and local partners are fully trained to manage and further expand the programme regionally. AMREF will use the programme as a model for other African countries struggling with critical nursing shortages.