The Centre for Health Professions Education (CHPE) at the North-West University (NWU) has earned prestigious recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) after being selected as a winner in the WHO AFRO Network of Partner Institutions (NPI) for Health Systems.
The CHPE partnered with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in a successful joint application under Pillar 2: Enhancing Healthy Workforce Development. As part of this consortium, the CHPE will take the lead in developing and institutionalising quality standards for health professions education across Africa to promote consistency, excellence and relevance in both pre-service and in-service training. JKUAT will lead operational research to inform policy and practice in workforce retention, deployment and productivity.
The WHO commended the quality of submission by the CHPE, stating that, “We received an overwhelming number of high-quality submissions relative to the available funding envelope. This recommendation reflects the substantial merit of the submission, and we are encouraged by your commitment to advancing the strengthening of health systems in the region.” The WHO committee recommended a ceiling of $37 500 for the grant award, subject to its due diligence and contractual clearance processes.
Prof Christmal Christmals, the principal investigator, said, “This recognition reflects the continuous contribution of the CHPE to health professions education policy and practice in the WHO African region.”
Victor Khanyile, from the Human Resources for Health Unit at the National Department of Health, expressed his excitement about the outcome and confirmed the support of the department for the CHPE as the project progresses.
Prof Jessica Pool, director of the CHPE, says that, “Being selected by the WHO to lead the development of health professions education standards for the African region is a milestone that underscores the quality and influence of the work of the CHPE in South Africa and beyond. It also highlights the global relevance of the future medical doctors who will be trained through the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.”
She says the CHPE appreciates the continued support received during the application process. “This project marks the first phase in positioning the centre to become a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Professions Education in Africa,” she concludes.
Prof Jeanetta du Plessis, deputy dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Health Sciences, congratulated the team. “Congratulations on this huge achievement. You can be very proud. I wish you all the best with this endeavour.”
Learn more about the CHPE, its projects and key focus areas, and meet the WHO AFRO Network of Partner Institutions Team.
