'Not by might, nor by power'
LLU trains health-care professionals to fulfill a great need in Africa
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| On March 19, 2000, 61 students from 20 countries began the first session of the LLU MPH degree program in Africa, at the University of Eastern Africa Baraton. |
There is an enormous need for health professionals in Africa," states Emmanuel M. Rudatsikira, MD, assistant professor of international health, School of Public Health, and program coordinator for the master of public health program in Africa. "Many Adventist hospitals are closing because of economic reasons, social unrest, and the lack of qualified professionals to run these facilities properly."
Working with the African divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the School of Public Health is offering a master of public health (MPH) degree to enhance health-care services in Africa.
Kenya, in East Africa, has been dubbed the center of higher education for East and Central Africa. One private institution--the first to be chartered nearly 20 years ago-- is the University of Eastern Africa Baraton, Eldoret (UEAB).
UEAB is a Seventh-day Adventist university located 9,660 miles from Loma Linda University in the tropical northwest region of Kenya.
The curriculum is designed for students who are currently or will be employed by the Adventist Church. The goal is to provide training to facilitate the operatiCourses in the MPH degree program will focus on health-care management skills appropriate for the African continent, as well as scientific updates on selected topics of interest.
According to Dr. Rudatsikira, plans for the MPH degree program began two years ago with a search for organizations that were willing to partner with LLU to make this project a reality. "We had a busy job of writing proposals, contacting organizations, meeting with divisions, and finding personnel," he says.
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| Paul Wangai Jr., MD, MPH, a 1985 graduate of the School of Public Health and director of health ministries for the East Africa Division, speaks to the first Baraton MPH students. |
Organizations that provided funding for the UEAB program include the Chan Shun Foundation, Swedish Churches Council, employing agencies, and LLU.
When the master of public health program was announced, the response was overwhelming--so much so that the University had to turn away applicants, most of whom had a full sponsorship. According to Dr. Rudatsikira, "There is a long list of alternates just in case someone decides not to come, which is highly unlikely."
Courses in the MPH degree program will focus on health-care management skills appropriate for the African continent, as well as scientific updates on selected topics of interest.
The program is being offered by the School of Public Health over a four-year period. Sessions will be conducted twice a year, in March and August, using a short-course format of two- to three-week classes which are taught by LLU faculty. Students are required to complete pre-session and post-session assignments.
"The School of Public Health has had 20 years of experience utilizing this kind of teaching method," points out Dr. Rudatsikira. "We have graduates from Latin, Central, and North America and have several sites where such a program is offered. Now we have added this site in Africa.
"UEAB is committed to continue the program after the four years pledged by Loma Linda have ended."
Sixty-one students from 20 countries in the Africa-Indian Ocean, Eastern Africa, and Euro-Africa Divisions, and Southern Africa Union Conference were selected to begin the first session on March 19, 2000. Eleven students from Nigeria were not able to attend the program. "We learned that this was due to an outburst of violence around Ile-Ife [Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, West Africa]," relates Dr. Rudatsikira.
"We started the program with 45 students," he continues, "and a make-up session has been planned for August for those students who were not able to attend the spring session."
Many challenges must be faced. There are problems with transportation, obtaining visas and passports, and financial difficulties. But the greatest challenges are related to security issues. Wars and civil unrest plague several African countries.
The MPH degree program is available to students who have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) or greater; are health-care administrators, physicians, or other health-care workers; are currently or will be employed by the Adventist Church; have commitment of sponsorship from their employer; and are approved by their church division to apply.
Students who complete the master's degree program will also obtain a generalist degree, leaning more to health administration and international health. Graduates will be able to manage health-care institutions, develop community health services, identify funding sources, and write grant applications. They will also be able to provide community-health education, interface with government and private agencies, develop strategic plans, provide health leadership, and serve as faculty in educational institutions.
"The challenges are enormous," reiterates Dr. Rudatsikira, "but we have not been called to do an easy task. Also, we do not rely on our own strength. As the Bible tells us, 'not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.'"
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