Enhancing Multi Disciplinary Clinical Education in Zambia: The solution to Health Workforce Shortages in Resource Limited Settings

Background

The Vocational Centres of Excellence and Decentralized Training Model for Nurses and Midwives in Zambia is an innovative SolidarMed approach aimed at improving access to health professional education, particularly in rural and underserved regions. With only 11.2 healthcare professionals per 10,000 individuals, Zambia falls significantly below the World HealthOrganization's recommended threshold and requires substantial efforts in increasing the human resources for health. This model seeks to address the rural healthcare professionals’ shortages, by delivering training in local communities rather than urban institutions. By establishing training programs in various districts and provinces, the decentralized model reduces the need for trainers and trainees to travel long distances to major urban centres, making education more accessible and affordable. Additionally, it allows for a more tailored curriculum and clinical skills building that meets the specific healthcare needs of the local populations, enhancing the relevance and quality of pre-service and in-service education. This approach also aims to attract and increase the retention of trained healthcare workers in rural areas, as it fosters a greater connection between health professionals and their communities. With these models, Zambia hopes to improve the distribution of skilled health professionals across the country, ultimately strengthening the health care system and improving health outcomes.‍

Who should Participate

Training and Education Health Professionals, Resource Limited Settings, Sustainable Development Advocates, International Development Experts, Human Resources for Health Stakeholders‍

Structure of Seminar ‍

• Background Human Resources for Health- Context of Zambia
• Traditional Training Model – Share Global Experiences
• Key Elements Decentralised Training Model- Explore Experiences from Other Countries
• Force Field Analyses- Change Management Consultation
• Multi Disciplinary Preceptor ship: What works?... Clinical Simulation
• Cost Analysis- Overview
• Impact on Student Environment- Share Insights and Validate
• Leadership and Management- Identify Areas of Focus
• Scaling up Nationwide- Share Experience’s of Going to Scale
• Governance and Sustainability- Qualitative Feedback‍

‍Intended Outcomes

‍The workshop is designed to bring together a diverse group of professionals, experts, and stakeholders involved in healthcare professional training, human resources for health, and sustainable work force development, with the goal of exploring and advancing the decentralized training model for health professionals, by drawing on experiences from Zambia and other countries.

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