The Kakamega – Cambridge Health Partnership started in 2021, developing from research activity between academics at the University of Cambridge and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), and in partnership with Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital (KCTRH).
Kakamega is a town in Western Kenya. It is the main city of Kakamega County and the third most populous county in Kenya. KCTRH is a 650-bed public hospital and the main public referral hospital for Kakamega County, as well as neighbouring counties including Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia. MMUST has 11 schools (including medicine; nursing, midwifery and paramedical sciences; public health; and biomedical sciences and technology), 400 programmes and 15,000 students.
A national strategy for antimicrobial resistance was published in 2017, but there are still high levels of antimicrobial resistance in Kenya. There is high antibiotic use, a high rate of surgical site infections and limited data on infection surveillance.
Three projects are currently underway:
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC),
- Maternal and Neonatal Health
- Global Health Workforce Programme
About the projects
AMS and IPC
The Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS) project is dedicated to enhancing antimicrobial stewardship at KCTRH and three smaller hospitals that refer patients to its maternity department. Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) Fleming Fund and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) alongside the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, the project focuses on promoting the judicious use of antibiotics, improving antibiotic surveillance, and building the capacity of pharmacists and clinical staff. It also aims to strengthen Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programmes and advance diagnostic capabilities.
Maternal and Neonatal Health
This project is improving the management of sepsis within the maternity and neonatal departments at KCTRH and aligns with ongoing AMS and IPC initiatives. Initially supported by a THET diaspora grant, the project has benefited from the expertise of East of England (EoE) global health fellows. The project has a strong focus on sustainability, by establishing processes and training local staff at KCTRH to independently deliver ongoing courses. It also champions the importance of IPC and the effective management of obstetric emergencies at both the main hospital and its affiliated sites.
Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP)
The maternal mortality rate is the number of women who die during and following pregnancy and childbirth. In 2020, almost 95% of these deaths were in Global South countries, and most could have been prevented.[i] The aim of the Global Health Workforce Programme is to strengthen continuous quality improvement (QI) across the maternity and newborn care teams in Kakamega County (KCTRH and Malava Sub-County Hospital), as well as strengthening the management of emergencies within maternity and neonatal care. In partnership with MMUST and KCTRH it will also improve the education offering through e-learning platforms, boosting the skills and knowledge of current healthcare staff, supporting the enhancement and restructuring of existing postgraduate programmes at MMUST, and developing the expertise of health professionals at KCTRH. The project aims to align training initiatives with the region’s disease burden and to support the hospital to address challenges related to staff retention, motivation, and wellbeing, with a particular emphasis on QI.
Interested in getting involved?
- Have an interest in global health?
- Interested in bi-directional sharing and learning with healthcare workers in low- and middle-income settings?
- Keen to volunteer? Much of our work takes places virtually and international travel may take place.
Head to our becoming a member or becoming a partner pages to see how to get involved.
[i] World Health Organisation (WHO) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality
