This article was written by Peter McEneaney, Senior Penta Training Manager. It is taken from the Penta 2025 Annual Report.
In 2025, PentaTr@ining marked an important milestone: twenty years of turning paediatric infectious disease research into tangible improvements in maternal and child healthcare. What began as a European initiative focused on HIV has grown into a global capacity-strengthening network. Since 2005, nearly 10,000 healthcare professionals from over 40 countries have been trained, gaining the skills needed to deliver evidence-based care to children, adolescents and pregnant people.
At the heart of PentaTr@ining lies a powerful multiplier effect: each trained clinician reaches hundreds, or even thousands, of patients over their career. This creates a sustained return on investment through stronger clinical decision-making, better patient outcomes, and more resilient health systems. From the outset, the programme has addressed a critical challenge—the gap between scientific discovery and clinical practice. Breakthroughs alone do not save lives; outcomes improve when healthcare workers can apply knowledge effectively. Through practical, case-based learning and culturally sensitive approaches, PentaTr@ining ensures that knowledge is translated into action.
Originally designed to support the safe use of new HIV treatments, the initiative has evolved into a platform connecting research, policy, and frontline care. A distinctive feature is the active involvement of young people in training sessions, helping to ensure services remain patient-centred and grounded in real-world experience. This approach strengthens both clinical practice and trust in health systems — an essential, though difficult to quantify, outcome.
In its twentieth year, PentaTr@ining continued expanding in response to emerging health priorities. New online programmes addressed fungal infections, viral hepatitis, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The launch of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Paediatric Settings course responded directly to two major threats: healthcare-associated infections and AMR. Combining scalable online learning with hands-on simulation, the programme equips participants with practical skills in surveillance, infection control, and clinical procedures.
Regional delivery remains central to PentaTr@ining’s model. Workshops held in Oman, Namibia, Italy, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines during 2024–2025 strengthened local capacity, supported progress towards triple elimination goals, and addressed context-specific needs. These partnerships ensure that global expertise is adapted locally, enhancing relevance and sustainability.
As PentaTr@ining enters its third decade, its objective remains clear: to scale cost-effective training that turns global evidence into local practice, particularly in resource-limited settings. For partners, this represents a proven model that delivers measurable reach, builds lasting capacity, and contributes to improving the lives of children, young people and families worldwide.
Because the true value of investment is not measured in courses delivered, but in lives improved — and saved.