As part of the Foundations for Health and Empowerment project, a joint venture of the Aga Khan Foundation, Canada, and Aga Khan Foundation, Kyrgyzstan, nine nurses and midwives from Kyrgyzstan visited the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, AKU-SONAM, for a three-month capacity-building program led by the School’s outreach and policy unit.
The training included modules in mental health, emergency obstetrics care, sexual health of women and adolescents, early childhood development, as well as english language communication. These were conducted by the School’s faculty members in collaboration with the Nursing Education Services, NES, of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
The training, which began in July 2022, was concluded this week in an official ceremony at the Rufayda Auditorium on campus.
“This three-month training has been life-changing for all of us, and we have had some of the best days of our lives at AKU. We are grateful to the hospitality and teachings extended to us by the faculty members, staff and leadership of the University and look forward to implementing and passing on our knowledge back home,” commented Aizhamal Erkyn Kyzy, one of the program trainees.
“Despite language barriers and a few challenges that affected this work-study program, I am proud of my team of staff and faculty members as well as our guests from Kyrgyzstan who overcame all problems, found innovative solutions and ensured that learning was not affected, making this exchange programme a massive success,” remarked Dr Rafat Jan, associate dean, outreach and policy unit.
The closing ceremony included remarks by senior leadership of the University including Dr Anjum Halai, vice provost, AKU, Dr Rozina Karmaliani, dean, AKU-SONAM and Khairunnisa Hooda, chief nursing officer, AKUH.
“The Aga Khan Development Network is like a family, and when members of a family plan to come together, language or any sort of barriers come down to create greater social impact. I would like to celebrate this partnership today and appreciate the leadership of dean Rozina Karmaliani, Dr Rafat Jan, associate dean, outreach, and all team members who worked hard to make this program a reality. The closing ceremony is not the end, it is a beginning of new conversations and new partnerships!” said Dr Halai during her remarks at the ceremony.
The three-month capacity-building program was funded by the Aga Khan Foundation, Canada. The School will now begin preparations to host the next cohort of trainees, this time from Tajikistan, in continuation of its outreach and capacity-building activities for improved healthcare outcomes globally.