Multidisciplinary team from the African Pediatric Programme (APFP) visits Hawassa University.

A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Natasha Rhoda from Mowbray Maternity Hospital, University of Capetown, visited the Neonatal Unit at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, provided technical support to Dr. Fitsum and the neonatal team, and discussed further collaborations with Dr. Tafesse Matewos (VPRTT at HU) and Dr. Kibru (Clinical Director of CMHS) and other officials between November 20 – 24, 2023.

Located at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and affiliated training hospitals, the African Pediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) aims to transform Africa’s capacity for child health care by reducing its gap in human resources for pediatric health.

It's known for training and providing ongoing support to a growing continent-wide network of highly-skilled, strategically selected pediatric clinician leaders who are able to optimize pediatric health systems, shape policy, lead on clinical service developments, build an evidence base for pediatric care in low-resource settings, and critically increase the continent’s capacity to train more pediatric health professionals.

Long-term strategic collaborations with tertiary teaching hospitals and universities across Africa are at the center of APFP approach. These partnerships aim to ensure not to just boost individuals, but rather build pediatric departments and professional associations, working to transform pediatric service provision and supporting the development of independent in-country clinical service, health systems and training capacity.
APFP is delighted to be working with exceptional alumnus, Dr. Fitsum Belay (who is qualified as a subspecialist in Neonatology in 2022) to support the development and strengthening of Neonatal services and teaching through Hawassa University and its teaching hospital.

The APFP looks forward to supporting the Neonatology Unit in the coming years and will be guided by the university and hope to see and support the establishment of a neonatology training programme at Hawassa University as it has done elsewhere on the continent as needed.