Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan University unite to improve maternal health
New partnership to strengthen health care systems in East Africa
MAY 2011 – Improved maternal and child health in East Africa is the goal of a new strategic partnership between PMNCH members Rotary International and Aga Khan University (AKU).
Under the partnership, the Rotary Foundation the charitable arm of Rotary International will provide grants to Rotary clubs to establish volunteer teams to support the professional development of nursing faculty at AKU's East Africa campuses in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Developing linkages
The teams will work with local Rotary clubs and AKU to carry out community service projects linking the classroom lessons to existing clinics and health care programmes. Rotary grants will also fund nursing and midwifery scholarships for students admitted to AKU's Advanced Nursing Studies (ANS) program.
Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to be mentored through the programme by local Rotary clubs. According to a press release from African Press Organisation, the Aga Khan University's ANS programme was established in response to requests from the East African governments to help upgrade nursing skills and build health care human resource capacity in the region.
The result is better qualified by regional health care professionals who are helping to build accessible, responsive and sustainable health care systems in East Africa.