A NEWSLETTER OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING & MIDWIFERY, EAST AFRICA

I extend warm greetings to all of you, our SONAM family here in East Africa, as we complete the first half of 2017. Welcome to this fourth issue of SONAM NEWS. In this issue, we continue to showcase examples of success areas within SONAM-EA that we have worked together to achieve, and highlight, share and celebrate each one.Celebrating these achievements also

Message from the Deanhelps the School in highlighting future activities. I take this opportunity to thank you all for working with me through the first six months of 2017 in focusing our teams on excellence in teaching, learning, clinical connection and research. We will continue these undertakings over the second half of the year, supported by continued faculty development and increasing our competence in teaching.

In this issue, we share memories of events marking the International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Week, which were celebrated globally. Doubtless, we learnt a great deal during the celebrations through interactions with colleagues in symposia and speeches. The celebrations also had multifaceted effects: the nursing and midwifery professions sent a strong message across the world about the critical role they play in healthcare, and we rediscovered ourselves. Thank you to the SONAM family for your sterling participation in these events across our three East African campuses. We also feature the last phase of the SONAM stoma project, from which the last students graduated in May. The stoma course now takes a life of its own in Kenya with local expertise. I extend a word of thanks to the Australian

JUNE 2017

IN THIS ISSUE…

NewsS O NA M

• Message from the Dean• Towards realising

Sustainable Development Goals

• Faculty member wins international award in Toronto

• Faculty attend INC congress in Barcelona

• Workshop on Intended Learning Outcomes

• Nurses graduate in stoma wound and continence management

• Marking the International Day of the Midwife

• Celebrating International Nurses Week

• Dean stresses the importance of nurses and midwives in service delivery

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volunteers for their selfless support in rolling out this course. Our mission is to provide nurses and midwives with internationally benchmarked, quality education that is contextually relevant, innovative, accessible, affordable and needs-based. I believe that we are firmly on this path, and will successfully continue in this direction in the coming months and beyond.

Thank you for the great work you have done with me during these past months. I have no doubt that you will continue giving your best throughout 2017.

Professor Sharon BrownieDeanSONAM-EA

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Towards realising Sustainable Development Goals Health experts met in Kampala, Uganda, to determine how to improve the lives of mothers and children in East Africa. This aligns with the focus of global attention and resources on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the next 15 years.

The two-day symposium brought together healthcare providers, programmers, academic institutions and researchers. The symposium was organised by SONAM-EA and the AKU Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health (CoE WCH), in partnership with Makerere University’s Maternal and Newborn Centre of Excellence, the Coalition of Centres in Global Child Health, and the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health (Toronto, Canada).

Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Assistant Commissioner for Child and Newborn Health, spoke during the opening ceremony on behalf of the Minister for Health. Another delegate, Dr Jesca Nsungwa Sabiiti, called for a multi-sectoral approach to address issues related to SDGs in East Africa.

Dr Sabiiti said efficient and sustainable solutions to SDGs that cut across local and national boundaries will only be realised if governments, businesses, civil society and academic institutions work together.

“It is very commendable of AKU and Makerere University to organise this symposium, because it shows that stakeholders are beginning to take ownership of the SDGs, which is critical for success,” she added.

She said “the Government of Uganda is committed to playing its role with regard to the SDGs as a priority, because it was selected as a second-wave Global Financing Facility country; with this, we revitalised a process that began in 2013 around the development of a sharpened Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) plan.”

Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, the Founding Director of AKU’s CoE WCH, underscored the importance of developing indicators that would help track progress in achieving the SDGs. He said, “There is need to set up a national steering committee to review the pace of efforts to achieve the SDGs and ensure that all stakeholders are held accountable. Maternal and child mortality has been reduced by half in East Africa, but the burden is still huge.”

Improving the health of women and children around the world is a top priority for the international community, as evidenced by the inclusion of specific health targets in the SDGs.

Dr Wilson Were, Director of the RMNCAH Program at the World Health Organization, said “While a lot has been learned under the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), there is urgent need for increased investments in the health sector if the SDGs are to be realised.” He also noted that stakeholders need to share strategies and capacity to support the broader SDG agenda, with more focus on youth, adolescents and vulnerable groups.

According to Dr Peter Waiswa, Associate Professor at Makerere University, East African countries must not only prioritise maternal, newborn and child health, but also have a regional strategy to achieve targets to reduce deaths and disabilities while ensuring that survival and wellbeing remain at the centre of SDG implementation.

“An area long neglected is neonatal health and stillbirths. Countries need systems to count these and account for each loss. The low hanging fruits in the area of maternal, newborn and child health for East Africa seem to be improving efficiency of systems through smart governance, financing and accountability, integrated implementation, improving quality of care along the continuum of maternal, newborn and child health, and scaling up family planning services and nutrition” he said.

The symposium was held from April 7–8, and is the first of three to be held in East Africa. The other two symposia will be held in Tanzania and Kenya.

Keynote speakers included Dr Jemima Denis, President of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Dr Peter Waiswa, Associate Professor, Makerere University; Professor Marleen Temmerman, Director, Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health in East Africa; and Dr Maggie Blott, Chair of Obstetrics, Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

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RESEARCH

Ms Loveluck Mwasha, a member of faculty in Tanzania, won the international “Save the Children and International Council of Midwives (ICM) Midwife for Life Award” at the ICM congress in Toronto, Canada. She received the award at the 31st ICM Triennial Congress, held June 18–22, 2017. The other winner was Amina Sultani of Afghanistan.

The award recognised Ms Mwasha for her steadfast advocacy for, and mentoring of, midwives in Tanzania over many years. Ms Mwasha is the Vice President of the Tanzania Midwives Association.

The Save the Children and ICM Midwife for Life Award represents international recognition of exceptional midwives. The award was presented by Ms Patricia Erb, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Canada. The award seeks to

recognise those who show great vision and leadership in midwifery.

Ms Mwasha was selfless when commenting on her award, “I am so excited…and it’s not really about me but about the over 40,000 nurse midwives back home who are working under very difficult conditions to save the lives of women and newborns, especially those working in rural and remote hard to reach areas…I salute them all.”

The congress represents and works to strengthen professional associations of midwives throughout the world. It has a membership of 130 midwifery associations, representing 114 countries across every continent. It celebrates midwifery as a profession in its global diversity, and provides an environment where midwives from around the world can draw on the skills, knowledge and experience of colleagues for application

in their own countries.

Ms Mwasha holds BSc and MSc degrees in nursing (both from AKU), in addition to a Diploma in Integrated Nursing (RN, RM) from Muhimbili Medical Centre, Tanzania. She joined SONAM AKU faculty in 2015. Her association with the Aga Khan family dates to 1990, when she joined the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam as Nursing Manager before moving to the Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania as Head of Nursing Services in 2006.

Her current area of teaching is reproductive health nursing–midwifery. Her research interests include midwifery-focused care during labour and delivery, and immediate postnatal care for mother and neonate. Ms Mwasha is also a member of the Africa Midwives Research Network Tanzania Chapter.

Faculty member wins international award in Toronto

Ms Loveluck Mwasha [second from left] receives her award

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Some of the ICN congress delegates

Ms Esther Nderitu stands next to posters relating to her presentation.

Professor Sharon Brownie, and Senior Instructor, Ms Esther Nderitu, were among delegates from various countries who attended the recent International Nursing Council (ICN) congress in Barcelona, Spain.

The congress was held in June and attended by over 10,000 delegates from across the world.

The congress aimed to facilitate sharing of research findings and experiences among delegates, and discussed issues such as climate change and how it affects healthcare and the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals.

During the congress, Ms Nderitu presented on Maternal Health, calling on the global nursing fraternity to embrace

research and innovation to help meet the challenges facing the nursing and healthcare systems. Other presenters included Linda Aiken, a renowned researcher on staffing, who spoke on Safe Staffing to Transform Care, and Professor Miaofen Yen who spoke on Promoting Nursing in Higher Education.

Delegates were also addressed by Dr Judith Shamian, the outgoing ICN President, and Dr Annette Kennedy, the incoming ICN President. Dr Kennedy said that during her time as President, consultation would be the cornerstone of her leadership style.

The ICN congress is held every two years, with the next meeting scheduled for Singapore in 2019.

Faculty attend International Nursing Council congress in Barcelona

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Workshop on intended learning outcomes

A workshop on intended learning outcomes (ILOs) was held in Kenya on June 2, 2017. Ten faculty members participated in the workshop, which aimed to enable participants to develop ILOs that lead students to adopt deep learning approaches.

Participants assessed the structure of the courses at SONAM, and refined course learning outcomes that lead to significant learning.

The workshop resolved that faculty should refine their course ILOs in relation to frameworks such as Bloom’s Taxonomy, Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, Moon’s Learn-ing Environment and Bigg’s Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes. It also recommended that faculty should work with the Network of Teaching and Learning and that TL_net should refine their course learning outcomes.

Workshop participants

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Nurses graduate in stoma wound and continence managementFourteen nurses who underwent a 9-week training programme in stoma wound and continence management at SONAM in Nairobi graduated in a colourful ceremony on May 26, 2017. Most graduating nurses were from different parts of Kenya, and one is from Botswana. This was the third group of nurses trained under the Kenya Stoma Wound and Continence Nursing Education Programme.

The programme was conducted by tutors from the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses (AASTN), led by Ms Elizabeth English, a well-known, experienced and credentialed stomal therapy nurse and past President of the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET).

A stoma is a surgically-created opening in the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body. In the absence of adequate knowledge and care, patients with stoma may have odour and skin problems, management issues, and are stigmatised and undergo unnecessary suffering. There are many people trying to cope with the social, psychological and basic management issues associated with stoma. “A nurse with knowledge about this condition can provide the skills and knowledge to allow these people to live with dignity, and continue confidently with activities of daily living” said Ms English.

Stomas can result from medical conditions such as colorectal cancers, bladder cancers, fistula, trauma, congenital abnormalities, or conditions that affect the excretory systems. Stoma nurses also look after acute and chronic wounds; for example, surgical wounds including open abdomen pressure injuries; vascular, arterial and diabetic ulcers; long term draining and feeding tubes; and associated skin conditions. They are also trained as continence nurses.

Dr Eunice Ndirangu, SONAM Kenya Academic Head, spoke on behalf of the Dean, Professor Sharon Brownie, at the graduation ceremony held at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

Dr Ndirangu expressed gratitude to the Australian team for their contribution in making the programme a reality: “Sincere thanks to the Australian team for the extensive input and capacity building efforts. Their expertise and generosity are greatly appreciated.” She noted that the programme was the first of its kind, both in the country and the East African region. Dr Ndirangu also commented that 53 students had graduated from the programme to date, with nurses from remote regions being sponsored by SONAM. She observed that stoma wound and continence care expertise is lacking in Kenya, and the graduates would positively impact the lives of patients across the country.

Ms English, the programme coordinator, spoke passionately about the genesis of the programme: “Today for me is both a sad day and a glad day. It is the end of an era but the beginning of a new era. In 2011 when I first visited the AKUH and conducted a short programme in stoma care, I had a dream that one day Kenya would have specialised stoma nurses who could adequately care for people with stomas.” Her dream came to fruition through the project. She recalled

that in 2014, the programme concluded with 18 Kenyan graduates and two Tanzanians. The second programme in 2015 had one Togolese and 18 Kenyan graduates. “The programme that ends today has 13 Kenyans and one nurse from Botswana, giving a total of 53 stoma wound and continence nurses: 49 from Kenya and four externals,” said Ms English. Ms English also commented that 17

Proud graduates and tutors

Dr Ndirangu addresses graduates

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Kenyans from the first two programmes have completed an advanced programme to prepare them to be future Kenyan tutors, which will ensure the sustainability of the programme. “These Kenyan nurses will train their peers in this very important nursing specialty,” she said.

Ms English noted that the programme was 50% clinical and 50% theory, and that the nurses mainly undertook their clinicals at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), but also at AKUH, Kijabe Mission Hospital, the Spinal Injuries Hospital and St Mary’s Mission Hospital. A total of 17 volunteer Australian nurses participated in training the local nurses. “Kenya is poised to continue with the programme - the first of its kind in Africa, outside South Africa,” said Ms English. The programme is a Twinning Project between Australia and Kenya, in which a country developed in this specialised nursing field supports a developing country in the same area.

Fred Omiah, who represented the

Ministry of Health, gave a moving testimony about his own experience adjusting to life with a stoma. Mr Omiah, who has now fully recovered, recalled how a previous graduate from this programme “very skilfully, professionally and tenderly” nursed him to health when he needed help.

A key achievement of the programme is that both KNH and AKUH have established dedicated nursing positions for stoma wound and continence care. The nurses heading these units were trained at SONAM during the first and second programmes. Ms Josephine Gachango has been appointed to the new AKUH position.

“I am very happy about what we have achieved so far. We hope this will spread to all parts of Africa that do not yet have stoma management capabilities,” said Ms English in an earlier interview with SONAM NEWS.

The Stoma Wound and Continence Nursing Association of Kenya has been established to support the sustainability of stoma management. An international

delegate to the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) has also been appointed to ensure Kenya is well represented on the world stage.

Ostomy support groups led by stoma graduates are already functional at both KNH and AKUH. These groups promote patient networking opportunities and donation distribution. Graduates are also setting up help centres in their regions so that ostomates do not have to travel long distances for assistance or supplies. There are now stoma wound and continence nurses in AKUH Nairobi, KNH, MP Shah, Machakos, Kijabe, Homa Bay, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Samburu, Bomet, Kilifi, Kakamega, Siaya, Kwale, Kisii and Wajir.

The Enterostomal Therapy Educational Project started in 2013 with faculty expertise support from Australia, as part of the Kenya-Australia WCET-AASTN Twinning Project. The project’s motto is ‘passion, persistence and vision.’ The stoma course is recognised by the WCET.

Fred Omiah shares his experience as a former ostomateMs Elizabeth English

Faculty member Tayreez Mushani addresses graduates Ms Josephine Gachango of AKUH (left) and Ms Jane Ndungu of KNH

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SONAM Kenya joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of the Midwife (IDM). Events started on May 3, 2017, with a symposium spearheaded by SONAM Kenya. This symposium was one of many activities scheduled in the lead-up to the celebration of IDM on May 5th.

The symposium was held at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), and attracted members of the Midwives Association of Kenya (MAK) from hospitals across Nairobi and beyond. Among attendees were Ms Louisa Mutesi, MAK Chair; Amos Getanda, MAK Secretary; and Ms Margaret Njoroge, MAK Treasurer. The symposium was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, with whom SONAM-EA has had a protracted, fruitful partnership.

Led by Ms Eunice Atsali, faculty in Nairobi played a pivotal role in the symposium. In his presentation Mr Frederick Kimemia of SONAM spoke about the role of professional bodies and how they can impact midwifery Ms Jane Kabo presented on an innovative BScM curriculum currently being developed by SONAM Kenya, which will be introduced after approval from various regulatory bodies. Ms Kabo also spoke

about the important role that midwives play in improving maternal and neonatal health indicators. She explained that the course will help improve maternal and neonatal care in the East African region and beyond.

IDM is celebrated every year on May 5, and aligns with the International Confederation of Midwives and other member associations worldwide. The day provides opportunity for all midwives to think about others in the profession, network with each other to make new contacts within and outside midwifery, and broaden knowledge of what midwives do for the world.

The symposium resolved that MAK should step up membership recruitment to improve members’ exposure. Other resolutions were to advocate for the development of national skin care guidelines and to enhance MAK’s visibility.

The IDM was also celebrated on May 5th at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, with AKU staff and MAK members in attendance.

More celebrations were held in Kakamega town in Western Kenya, with a procession punctuated with traditional dances.

SONAM EA celebrates the International Day of the Midwife

A procession of midwives celebrating IDM in Kakamega town MAK members at Kakamega County

Symposium participants

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Celebrations in UgandaIn Uganda, IDM was celebrated for two days in Fort Portal town. Led by Professor Grace Edwards, SONAM-EA Regional Professor of Midwifery Education and Practice, the celebrations featured an oral presentation by a faculty member and a city march by the team. IDM activities are coordinated by the Uganda Ministry of Health, and the day is celebrated nationally in a different location each year. This year’s theme was Midwives and families: partners for life!

The celebration this year was held in Fort Portal, Western Uganda. Two faculty members, Professor Edwards and Ms Ziida Namwaya, along with Registrar, Ms Gladys Mugerwa, and eight BScM students joined the celebrations on May 3. A symposium was held on May 4, and midwives from across Uganda where invited to submit abstracts. Ziida Namwaya’s abstract on programmes was accepted for an oral presentation. All poster presentation abstracts selected were by SONAM Uganda students.

The following day, hundreds of midwives from across Uganda assembled to march through Fort Portal to a central point. “This was an amazing sight to see,” remarked Professor Edwards, “the midwives were greeted by the Minster of Health, the National Commissioner for Nursing and Midwifery, the Swedish Ambassador, the local Chief Medical Officer and the Midwifery Country Coordinator.”

Professor Edwards was able to speak to the VIP group, who were interested in the work of AKU, and acknowledged the University for providing high-quality education.

From left: Professor Edwards, Ms Ziida Namwaya, Ms Gladys Mugerwa and BScM students

From left: Irene, Atim, Nyinomuhangi, Gloria, Nabbosa, Juliet, Nabayiki, Bogere and Joy

Loveluck Mwasha (second from right) at a conference in Dodoma, Tanzania, as part of the International Day of the Midwife celebrations.

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SONAM Kenya and the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), in conjunction with the National Nurses Association of Kenya, celebrated International Nurses Week (May 8–11, 2017) at AKUH Nairobi with a range of activities.

Faculty joined AKUH nurses in celebrations that featured campus medical camps and team building sports, and ended with a colourful celebration in the hospital and along Limuru Road, Nairobi on May 11.

International Nurses Week is set aside each year to recognise and appreciate the vital role nurses play in healthcare delivery.

Under the theme Nurses: A Voice to Lead–Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, activities began on May 8 with a medical camp. On the first and second days, free health promotion activities were conducted at the hospital entrance, where more than 300 patients’ relatives and staff were seen each day. This included screening for blood sugar, blood pressure, measuring height and weight and calculating BMI. Those who had parameters above normal were counselled on diet and lifestyle changes, and others were referred to their preferred health facilities for further medical check-ups as necessary.

On the third day, nurses participated in team building activities preceded by a well-attended morning interdenominational prayer session led by a Christian leader and a Sheikh at the Aga Khan Sports Club. The prayers resonated with the theme of the week, as they placed emphasis on the central role played by nurses in healthcare. Nurses were encouraged to continue to hold strong in promoting healthcare.

Celebrations peaked on May 11, which witnessed a colourful procession of nurses in and around the AKUH, led by the Kenya Police Band. The procession was an amazing sight, with ecstatic nurses marching in rhythm with the

band sound. The march ended at the Aga Khan Sports Club, where participants congregated for further celebrations and to listen to speeches.

The SONAM team attending the

AKU celebrates International Nurses Week

Nurses gearing up for the march

Dr Ndirangu addresses participating nurses

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celebrations was led by Dr Eunice Ndirangu, Academic Head, and AKUH attendees were led by Mrs. Jemimah Kimeu, AKUH Chief Nursing Officer.

The speeches were punctuated with music, dance, ululations and shows depicting the nurse in his/her various roles within the AKUH. Dr Ndirangu spoke on behalf of the SONAM-EA Dean, Professor Sharon Brownie, who was away on official duty. Dr Ndirangu urged nurses to be proud of their profession, and above all, to think about the additional contributions they can make within the profession. “Nursing,” she added, “is not a one man or one woman walk. Let’s move together…” Dr Ndirangu reminded participating nurses of the need to be scientifically relevant in a world that is changing rapidly. She also reminded them of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals to the week’s theme.

The chief guest, Mrs Susan Otieno, President of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing, spoke passionately about the nursing profession. She emphasised that, “Nurses need to participate in policy making by moving their chairs to the table…we need to reflect on how we are going to command more respect.” She also noted that nurses should be more assertive for their role to be appreciated, as that is when A Voice to Lead–Achieving Sustainable Development Goals will make sense. Mrs Otieno also cautioned that, “even as you strive to stand up and speak, always have your facts right. Respect is earned.”

During the event, several staff members were honoured, including Dr Ndirangu who was recognised for her achievement in earning her PhD in 2016. Ms Martha Muthoni was honoured for being mentioned by patients 42 times for kindness and compassion. Similarly, Ms Monica Saula was honoured for being mentioned 25 times by patients for kindness and compassion.

Ms Monica Saula (left) honoured for her kindness and compassion, Dr Eunice Ndirangu (centre) for her achievement in earning a PhD and Ms Martha Muthoni (right), also honoured her kindness and compassion

Dr Ndirangu (right) receives the Best Academic Achievement Award for attainment of her PhD. The AKUH Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Jemimah Kimeu (left) introduces her as she receives the award from AKUH CEO Mr Shawn Bolouki (centre)

Monica Saulo, a registred nurse at AKUH, Nairobi, receives her certificate of recognition from the chief guest Susan Otieno, president of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing

SoNaM News is the official newsletter of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa.

© All rights are reserved. 2017.

Comments should be sent to the Deans’ Office via e-mail: sonam.ea@aku.edu.

Editor: E.Otieno Agiro

The Dean, Professor Sharon Brownie, has emphasised the important role nurses play in healthcare delivery. Professor Brownie, who was the keynote speaker at a recent symposium held at the AKU Auditorium in Karachi to mark the international days for nurses and midwives highlighted that: “As nurses and midwives are on the frontline of healthcare service delivery, they are in a strong position to help the world achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various ways.”

The event focused on the themes for this year’s International Nurses Week and International Day of the Midwife: Nurses: A Voice to Lead -Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and Midwives, Mothers and Families: Partners for Life!

Professor Brownie said that nurses and midwives have an important role with respect to SDGs, particularly Goal 3, which relates to the health and wellbeing of all people including mothers and

babies. The SDGs comprise 17 goals that seek to address some of the world’s biggest challenges, such as ending poverty, improving health and education, and combating climate change. United Nation member states have agreed to achieve these goals by 2030.

Professor Brownie also noted that the work of nurses and midwives has a major impact on the delivery of other SDGs, such as education and poverty, which are often referred to as social determinants of health. She emphasised

that the role of nurses, midwives and other health workers, and their interaction with families, could be strengthened by bringing more health services to the community, both urban and rural. Nurses’ and midwives’ work in the community comes with multiple opportunities to engage in preventative health teaching and delivery of primary healthcare services. “Every interaction with families could be a teachable healthcare exchange and opportunity for families to build trust with health providers,” she said.

Dean stresses the importance of nurses and midwives in service delivery

SONAM faculty member retires

Ms Loefler receives a farewell card from the Dean, Professor Brownie, at a party held in her honour.

Professor Sharon Brownie (second from right) with her counterpart Professor David Arthur, Dean of SONAM AKU in Pakistan (centre) with university officials