Global Partnerships Strengthened in Kenya

More than 300 faculty members, researchers, staff members and supporters from around the world gathered in Eldoret, Kenya, in January to network, learn and celebrate at the 2024 AMPATH Global Gathering.

This was the first time the Global Gathering was hosted by one of the AMPATH partner sites and the hospitality and hard work of the host Kenyan team was recognized and appreciated by all of those in attendance.

Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, AMPATH executive director for care welcomed attendees from Kenya, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Ghana, Nepal and Mexico, saying, ” We are very excited that you all honored our call to come. Welcome to this magnificent event.”

Adrian Gardner, MD, MPH, executive director of the AMPATH Consortium of academic health center reflected on the history of the partnership. “Together we have improved access to quality health services for the people of western Kenya, and in doing so have saved many, many lives. Together we have taught, mentored and inspired the next generation of healers from multiple continents. And together we have produced impactful research that informs Kenyan and global health policy.

“But this partnership has allowed us to do so much more. We have laughed together; celebrated together; dreamed together; learned from each other; struggled together; at times, bickered with each other; cried together; mourned together; and supported each other through good and challenging times,” he continued.

Professor Robert Kuremu Tenge, Principal of the Moi University College of Health Sciences, added, “There is a shared belief that together you can make the world a better place where people can have health and sustainable lives and an adversity affecting one affects us all. I’m happy that after tackling HIV we have turned our attention to noncommunicable diseases. We are going to influence what happens and change policy in many places for the benefit of our patients.”

Dr. Wycliffe Kosgei represented Dr. Philip Kirwa, acting CEO of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and lauded the facilities such as the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital and MTRH Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre that the AMPATH partnership helped to create.

Dr. Patrick Amoth, acting director general of health in Kenya, delivered the first keynote address after an introduction by Professor Kimaiyo who knew Dr. Amoth when he was a third-year medical student and Professor Kimaiyo was a senior registrar at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Dr. Amoth discussed Kenya’s journey to implement universal health coverage and the four critical elements needed for success: human resources for health; health products and technologies; sustainable health financing; creating digital ecosystem to be able to deliver health differently.

He said that the World Health Organization estimates that there is a shortage of more than 10 million healthcare workers. “We applaud the work that AMPATH is doing, working especially at the sub-national level, but also at the referral and teaching hospital, to be able to build capacity of our human resources for health so that we can be able to respond to every challenge,” Dr. Amoth said.

“I want to again emphasize the importance of partnerships. I want to applaud AMPATH and the consortium and I’m glad now that AMPATH has gone global,” he added.

Bert Ubamadu, deputy mission director for USAID Kenya, presented the second keynote address and said that partnerships are one of the most important things to USAID.

“USAID has been partnership with AMPATH since 2001 to create one of Africa’s largest and most comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment programs. Our partnership started as part of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Although it started as part of the emergency plan to rapidly deliver HIV treatment and save lives, AMPATH has really been instrumental in reshaping healthcare service delivery and strengthening health systems in Kenya.”

Other honored guests included: Heidi O’Bra, deputy health office director for USAID Kenya; Edmon Obat, project management specialist-HIV care and treatment for USAID Kenya; Dr. Elias Melly, director of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya; Dr. David Soti representing the Director General, Ministry of Health; Christopher Khaemba representing Moi University Council; Professor Isaac Kosgey, Moi University vice chancellor; Professor Simeon Mining, acting registrar of administration, planning and strategy of Moi University; Dean Julia Songok, Moi University School of Medicine; Dean Patrick Kerre, Moi University School of Public Health; Dean Dinah Chelagat, Moi University School of Nursing; Dean Ochiba Lukandu, Moi University School of Dentistry; Winstone Nyandiko, AMPATH executive director of research; Arthur Odera, deputy governor and CECM Health for Busia County; Abraham Serem, CECM Health for Uasin Gishu County; Hilary Kahn, vice-president of international affairs at Indiana University; Phaedra Corso, associate vice-president and vice-chancellor for research at Indiana University; Dr. William Stauffer, AMPATH executive site director and John Oguda, AMPATH executive committee.

AMPATH leaders from the partnerships in Ghana, Mexico and Nepal joined Kenyan leaders in providing updates about each of their partnerships and plans for the future.

One of the highlights of the 3-day event was the first AMPATH Expo which featured more than 80 posters and booths from AMPATH programs throughout Kenya as well as partners in Nepal, Ghana and Mexico. Attendees were invited to meet and engage with both leaders of many of the AMPATH programs as well as some beneficiaries.

Most of AMPATH’s working groups including cardiovascular, palliative care, pediatrics, reproductive health, oncology and hematology, surgery and critical care, adolescent health, biostatistics and data science, family medicine, education, public health and primary care and mental health, had the opportunity to meet to review current initiatives and plans for the future.

AMPATH’s invited corporate partners also had the chance to meet and strategize about future possible collaborations.

Vice-chancellor of Moi University Professor Isaac Kosgei welcomed guests to a celebratory dinner at the conclusion of the first day of the Global Gathering saying "I really want to appreciate the opportunity we have had to host you, and in particular the discussions that have gone on throughout the day sharing knowledge and best practices in global health. We are really proud to have been part of the AMPATH family the last many years.”

On the second day of the conference, leaders from AMPATH sites outside of Kenya and corporate partners visited AMPATH activities in local communities while members of the AMPATH Consortium discussed updates and operational issues.

The final day of the conference featured a panel discussion on multi-country innovations, learning sessions and tours of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital facilities hosted by local clinicians. A celebratory dinner at the IU House compound capped off the event.

Reflecting on the importance of the AMPATH Global Gathering, some of AMPATH’s newest partners lauded the opportunity to meet and share with their colleagues across the globe.

Dr. Ram KM Shrestha, executive director of Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal said, “A gathering like this is very, very important actually. This also empowers us that we are not alone in that part of the continent. There are many others who have the same wild dreams to support those people who need us.”

“We are very excited to be in Kenya. This meeting is an eye-opener and the opportunities are great. We are keen to tap into the opportunities that are available and we want to thank all of the donors and supporters,” said Dr. Adam Atiku, CEO of Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana.

Dr. Luis D Luis Guillermo Vázquez de Lara Cisneros, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) in Puebla, Mexico lauded the 30 years of work that has been done in Kenya. “We had the opportunity to go to the communities and see what they are doing and that created a great impression on me. One of the things we’ll take back to Mexico is the microfinance protocols they have to improve the economics of the communities.”

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the work, learn from sessions with various site leaders and see old friends and meet new ones. “I thought every aspect of the Global Gathering was great,” responded one attendee in the event survey.