Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan has launched the on-site training programme focused on human resource development for gastrointestinal diseases in Kenya particularly in the endoscopy field.
The launch will mark the beginning of a three-day hands-on training programme in various endoscopy specialties which aims to enhance skills and knowledge in gastrointestinal care.
During a side bar interview at KNH in Nairobi on Tuesday, the Head of Endoscopy Unit at KNH Dr Linda Gathara revealed that the programme will run for three years where experts from Japan will come and train with them at the Hospital.
“It is a three-year programme but for on-site training in Kenya. The training and lectures will take three days where we will engage with specialists from Japan and come November, a team from KNH will travel to Japan for training for a period of one month,” explained Dr Gathara.
She added that the programme usually runs twice a year with the hospital on-site training at Kenyatta and later a team of five doctors would travel to Japan to receive further training.
“This year we have 13 trainees where we have 6 from KNH and 7 from counties all over the country,” she disclosed.
Dr Gathara insisted that the programme is very beneficial since it equips doctors both from Kenyatta and around the counties with skills to enable them to treat their patients better, words echoed by the Director of TEMDEC at Kyushu University Dr Tomohiko Moriyama who reiterated that the programme aims to tackle health coverage all over Kenya
Dr Gathara elaborated that endoscopy is a procedure where they evaluate the gastrointestinal (GI) system involving the upper GI that is the stomach, esophagus and the first part of the small intestines and the lower GI which involves the large intestines.
“We have advanced procedures that we do in endoscopy which include the Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), procedures for diagnosis and treatment,” she highlighted.
Looking forward to more partnerships in the future, Dr Gathara thanked the Embassy of Japan for sponsoring the programme and the KNH staff for participating in the programme.
By Mwendwa Mwenda
