Dr Sabelile Tenza, a distinguished Senior lecturer and researcher from the School of Nursing Science and NUMIQ Research Entity at the North-West University, took the stage as an invited speaker at the prestigious Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Leadership Forum that took place from 18 to 19 July in Nairobi, Kenya.

The forum, themed "Building Quality Improvement into Africa’s Health System Agenda," gathered representatives from various African countries to deliberate on the future of healthcare quality in the region. Dr Tenza, representing South Africa, played a crucial role in these discussions.

Dr Tenza is not only a prominent figure in South Africa’s healthcare landscape but also a globally recognized expert in Quality and Safety. As a Fellow of the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) and an editorial board member for ISQua, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the international stage.

She presented the state of quality and safety in South Africa at the forum, contributing to a broader conversation on healthcare standards across the continent. “A cornerstone of my work is to bridge global expertise with local impact. I lead the Quality Management and Patient Safety Annual Conference, a collaboration between AFRICA Health and the Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (CoHSASA).

Locally, I support quality leaders in hospitals across the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district in the North West province and chair the Quality and Safety Sub-Committee at Witrand Psychiatric Hospital,” she says. Her ongoing National Research Foundation project is also focused on enhancing quality and safety at the district level, demonstrating her commitment to making a tangible difference in her community.

Her invitation to the Kenya ACQUIRE Leadership Forum was in recognition of her impactful work in empowering frontline healthcare professionals. Between May and July 2024, Dr Tenza enrolled sixty clinicians and leaders from all hospitals in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district into the IHI Basic Training on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety.

This course, valued at over R400,000, was funded by her collaborators, The Africa Consortium for Quality Improvement Research in Frontline Healthcare (ACQUIRE), based in Nairobi. The success of this initiative is a testament to Dr Tenza’s leadership and the dedication of the South African healthcare teams she guided.

The trained clinicians are now set to begin practical quality improvement projects in their respective hospitals, supported by Dr Tenza and her collaborators. This training has also connected these clinicians with quality improvement and patient safety champions across Africa, fostering a large, Africa-based community of practice.

The sharing of experiences and lessons across countries has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of healthcare at a local level. Dr Tenza’s leadership ensured the successful completion of this training within six weeks.

This success was made possible through the dedication of the trainees and the support of hospital-based leaders, including Ms A. M. Phamodi, Ms T. E. Ndala, Ms T. N. Diniso and Mr Thaba from Klerksdorp-Tshepong Complex, Ms Theresa Serena Motsi, Dr Johanne Laubscher from Witrand Hospital, Ms Dineo Molokwane, Ms Nomalizo Molaoloa from Nic Bodenstein Hospital, and Ms Potgieter and Ms van der Merwe from Potchefstroom Hospital. I view this as a success story of "Collaborating Globally and Impacting Locally," she says. “Leveraging on my international expertise and networks, has made significant strides in improving healthcare standards in our local community.” Dr Tenza expressed her gratitude to the CEOs of the hospitals in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district—Dr Mphela of Nic Bodenstein, Dr Shakung of Potchefstroom, Ms. Mpolokeng of Witrand, and Mr Thulane Madonsela—for their collegial support in collaborating with North-West University academics.

Dr Sabelile Tenza (third from the left), with co-presenters at the ACQUIRE QI Leadership Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

The team from the Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital is in a festive mood after completing the Basic Training on Quality Improvement and Patient Safety course.

Mr Thaba from Klerksdorp-Tshepong hospital, one of the leaders who participated in the training course.