title: The Impact and Successes of a Paediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program in Africa.
abstract: Background. The prevalence and distribution of endocrine disorders in children in Africa are not well known because most cases are often undiagnosed or diagnosed too late. The awareness of this led to the launch of the Paediatric Endocrinology Training Center for Africa (PETCA) designed to improve quality and access to health care by training paediatricians from Africa in paediatric endocrinology. Methods. The fellowship is undertaken over an 18-month period: six months of clinical and theoretical training in Kenya, nine months of project research at the fellow's home country, and three months of consolidation in Kenya. Upon completion, certified paediatricians are expected to set up centers of excellence. Results. There have been two phases, phase I from January 2008 to October 2012 and phase II from January 2012 to April 2015. Fifty-four fellows from 12 African countries have been certified, 34 (phase I) and 20 (phase II). Over 1,000 patients with wide ranging diabetes and endocrine disorders have been diagnosed and treated and are being followed up at the centers of excellence. Conclusion. The successes of the PETCA initiative demonstrate the impact a capacity building and knowledge transfer model can have on people in resource-poor settings using limited resources.
authors.affiliation: Gertrude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 42325, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Gordon Otieno
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Odundo
authors.affiliation: Gertrude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 42325, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ngwiri
authors.affiliation: Gertrude's Hospital Foundation, Gertrude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 42325, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Otuoma
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 460, Nairobi 00202, Kenya.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laigong
authors.affiliation: Gertrude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 42325, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Renson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mukhwana
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 30270, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Mary Slessor
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Limbe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health and Research, Gertrude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 42325, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
authors.forename: Nadia Musimbi
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Chanzu