Our 3-day PentaTr@ining Namibia 2024 residential course came to a close on July 4th 2024. The course was organised in partnership with several key stakeholders, including the Namibia HIV Clinicians Society, Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS), PEPFAR, IntraHealth Namibia and I-TECH Namibia. The workshop was held in the capital city of Windhoek with 79 delegates attending in-person and many others connecting online from various parts of the country and region
Dr Jacques Kamangu, Deputy Chief Clinical Mentor in the Directorate of Special Programmes HIV/STO subdivision and seasoned healthcare specialist with the MHSS, and Sylvia Ashikoto, coordinator of paediatric and adolescent HIV program activities at the national level within the MHSS, lend their valuable perspective on the course and how it can further strengthen capacity building efforts to improve HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services in maternal and child health in Namibia.
What are your thoughts on the course and its significance in Namibia?
Dr Jacques: I initially couldn’t grasp the importance of this course, but I now realise its significance compared to the virtual course held in 2021. This course provided a unique opportunity to bring together local clinical mentors and mentees from Namibia, along with international delegates and experts, to share knowledge. Local delegates were directly exposed to experts sharing the latest developments, evidence, and innovations in the field of HIV and TB. Additionally, local delegates were empowered and updated on Namibia’s response to HIV and TB among the paediatric population. The course agenda was well crafted to address the unique challenges faced in the management of paediatric with TB and HIV.
Sylvia: As a program lead in the country who participated in the first episode of PentaTr@ining in 2021, I couldn’t let the second opportunity pass by. Trainings focused solely on paediatrics are quite rare, and having participants from other countries sharing their knowledge with our healthcare workers on paediatric infectious diseases is invaluable. Our clinical mentors have primarily learned through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. However, during the course, they had the opportunity to learn from senior professionals from other countries about the latest developments in this field.
What makes this course different from other courses you’ve attended?
Dr Jacques: Compared to other courses, I found this one particularly enlightening. Two key components of this course that significantly enhanced our knowledge were the quiz and case study. These elements allowed both local faculty and delegates to deepen their understanding. Since most of the local faculty were clinical mentors, the quiz and case study provided excellent opportunities to strengthen relationships and knowledge among local delegates.
The networking dinner provided an excellent opportunity for exchanging ideas with international experts and facilitated connections between local faculty and international delegates for future academic collaborations following the course.
Sylvia: The highly knowledgeable and experienced trainers ensured that every question was addressed, not deferred. Group work on cases facilitated focused learning due to the small group sizes. Additionally, having someone dedicated specifically to coaching and guiding young people throughout the training was exceptional and greatly appreciated. This support empowered young participants to present their sessions, share their experiences confidently, and feel valued and integral to the team.
What are the key impact and takeaways you believe the delegates have gained from the course?
Dr Jacques: Almost all delegates (90%) are frontline healthcare workers who deal with patients on a day-to-day basis. For 90% of them, this is their first time participating in a training program featuring international experts in HIV and TB.
As a takeaway, delegates have gained knowledge on the epidemiology of HIV and TB in Namibia and worldwide, which some of them were not fully aware of. The importance of research and evidence shared during the training was eye-opening for them. They were exposed to insights on how HIV and TB are managed overseas and compared these practices with those in Namibia, learning new and valuable approaches.
Sylvia: HIV/TB care and treatment can only succeed through team efforts. Involving patients in their care and treating them with integrity is crucial. Research studies are integral in providing evidence-based care to patients and staying updated with new recommendations in paediatric HIV/TB care and treatment, mainly from WHO, is crucial.
In 3 words, what does PentaTr@ining mean to you?
Dr Jacques: Strengthening HIVTB management
Sylvia: Fulfilling, empowering, and enjoyable
Visit the PentaTr@ining page for more on PentaTr@ining and available courses