Overview
The department was established in April 2004, at inception of the School of Health Sciences. However, it became operational in the year 2009. Currently, the department offers the course of Paediatrics and Child Health to students admitted for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, during their 4th year of study. Faculties also participate in individual research activities and collaborative research, as well as postgraduate students’ supervision. The department hopes to launch the post- graduate program in paediatrics and child health by the year 2016.

Mission

To produce highly competent, responsive and committed child health practioners, who can work in diverse settings locally and internationally.

Vision

To become a centre of excellence in paediatric training, innovation and to become a vibrant research hub in various paediatric specialties.

Core Values
To provide clinical mentorship to students in the field paediatrics, to abhor values of professionalism, preservation of life, integrity, ethical practices and respect of client diversity and confidentiality.

Objectives

The objectives of the core paediatrics and child health curriculum are as follows;

1. Acquisition of basic knowledge of growth and development, and its clinical application from birth through adolescence.
2. Acquisition of knowledge necessary for the diagnosis and management of childhood diseases.
3. An understanding of antecedents of health and disease in children.
4. Development of communication skills that will facilitate the clinical interaction with children, adolescents and their families.
5. Development of competency in physical examination of infants, children, and adolescents.
6. Development of clinical problem solving skills.
7. Development of strategies for health promotion as well as disease and injury prevention.
8. Development of the attitude and professional behaviors appropriate in clinical practice.

Affiliated programs, collaborations and resources

Collaborations and linkages
The department has forged collaborations with various external bodies including other Universities, the Ministry of Health , Division of Child and Adolescent Health, The Kenya Pediatric Association and Gertrude’s’ children Hospital. The main aims of these collaborations is to enable staff and student exchanges, joint research and resource sharing.

Resources
The post- modern Kenyatta University library has a medical section that stocks current text books and journals. In addition, the university subscribes to various e-journals and e-books available from the maktaka.ku.ac.ke site. The department recently acquired various sophisticated medical equipment to assist in training students, as well as patient care.  The up-coming Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital and the Kenyatta University children’s hospital will go a long way to further enhance the available clinical clerkships sites and research laboratories.

Current student testimonials
‘The department has made great strides towards teaching the course of paediatrics to students despite enormous challenges. With only a skeleton staff and limited case availability, as students we were pushed to embrace innovative learning technologies and maximize all available learning opportunities. We indeed confirm that it turned out to be among the best clinical clerkships we had’- Peter Kwatenba, 2013 class.

Notable students:
2012 class; Barrack Geoffrey Omondi
2013 class: Barbara  Awuor Odac

Alumni/ student testimonials
‘We had a very interactive learning experience. Most of our lectures knew as all by our names, and we were closely mentored to become excellent paediatric practiotioners we are today’ –  Dr. Tom Mboya, 2012 class.

The department has currently 5 full time staff, and has a large pool of competent part-time lecturers.

• DR. FLORENCE OKWARA
• DR. STANLEY MURIGI KIMUHU
• DR. DAVID DURO GALGALLO
• DR. NGWATU PETER
• DR. JOHN MAINA NGUGI
• DR. KOECH PRISCILLAH JEPKORIR
• DR. EDEL KARAU
• DR. CHRISTINE KARANJA CHEGE
• DR. SAMSON KIHIKA MUGANE
• DR. LILIAN CHEBET KIMETO
• DR. JOYCE WANGECHI MBOGO

The part - time lecturers include:

Dr. Kipmutai R. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Mugane S MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Akech G. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.), Cardiology( India)

Dr. Thuranira L. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Mugane S. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Machira.E.  MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Muiruri P. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Waiyego S. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Marima R. MB. Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Dr. Omoto L. MB Ch.B, MMed (Paed.)

Conferences and workshops

The department holds at least 1 workshop and an annual scientific conference every year in the months of April and July respectively. These are forums for dissemination of research findings and sharing new knowledge.

Previous events:

Food and Nutrition in children Conference was held at Kenyatta University on 25 th June 2014.

Up-coming events:

Patient Centered Care – Challenges and opportunities for

Child Health, at Kenyatta University, 29 th September 2015- 2 nd October 2015.

Community Service

Faculty offer consultancy service to Kiambu District Hospital, Department of Paediatrics.

Staff and students participate in various medical camps and community health

education to surrounding communities, organized by local churches, NGOs or politicians

Entry Requirements / Pre-requisites for Pediatrics and Child health course

The department admits undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree, in their fourth year of study. The course pre-requisites are the pre- clinical courses including Human anatomy, Medical physiology, Medical biochemistry, behavioral sciences, medical ethics, human pathology, microbiology, human nutrition, epidemiology and medical pharmacology

The training program

Mode of study is full time. The program runs across every semester covering a period of 14 weeks per course.  Students undertake 3 weeks of didactive lectures, before proceeding for clinical clerkships. Currently clinical clerkship is done at Kiambu District Hospital, Department of paediatrics. The department has partnered with Gertrude’s’ Children Hospital for clinical attachment to intensive care, the child development center, and their specialist clinics. All students are assigned academic mentors during their clerkship to provide academic guidance and advice.

Assessments

All students maintain a clinical encounters log book during the clerkship. Continuous assessments are undertaken during their training, with at least 2 multiple choice question (MCQ) papers and an Objective structures clinical examination (OSCE) at the end of the clerkship. The final course examinations are held at the end of the academic year, and comprise of an essay paper, an MCQ paper, and an OSCE.

Ongoing research activities

1. Effectiveness
2. Uptake of PMTCT among HIV positive mothers in Nyeri South County, Kenya (Dr. Ngugi. M.J).
3. Clinical audits at the Kiambu District Hospital paediatric ward admissions (All faculty).
4. Post-discharge outcomes of children admitted with pneumonia, gastroenteritis, malnutrition, and neonatal sepsis to a level 4 hospital, in Kenya, case of Kiambu County Hospital (All faculty).