The Aga Khan University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) celebrated the International Healthcare Simulation Week 2024 from September 16 to 20, 2024, with a series of innovative sessions, showcasing the power of applied gamification in healthcare education.
Held at CIME campuses in Karachi and Nairobi, the event focused on cutting-edge simulation techniques designed to enhance the clinical skills of healthcare students and professionals alike.
More than 300 participants from various institutions participated in over ten interactive competitions and games covering a wide range of healthcare topics. These included the Laparoscopy Games, Cardio Clash, CPR Race, Moulage Workshop, Suturing Skills, and Basic Life Support (BLS) among others. The sessions provided hands-on learning experiences in a diverse, dynamic environment, allowing participants to sharpen essential clinical skills.
"As education evolves, new methodologies are transforming the way we teach. Gamification is taking learning to a whole new level. This week, we saw its success firsthand, with students raving about their experiences during Healthcare Simulation Week at CIME. As educators, what we want is to draw the students in, spark their interest, and keep them invested. If we’re able to do that, it’s half the battle won,” said Dr Faisal Ismail, Regional Director (South Asia), AKU-CIME, in his remarks at the closing ceremony in Karachi.
Addressing medical and nursing students, Dr Michael Moneypenny, Regional Director (East Africa), AKU-CIME, emphasized the importance of utilizing CIME facilities to hone clinical skills before managing real-life patients. “This year’s Healthcare Sim Week has further highlighted the importance of innovating our approach to educating the next generation of healthcare workers. So come and use CIME. Come and make as many mistakes here as you want. As healthcare professionals, you will still end up making mistakes, but they’ll be a lot fewer – this will be a game-changer for you as well as your patients.”
The closing ceremony in Nairobi was attended by Dr Tania Bubela, Provost, AKU, and Gitonga M'Mbijjewe, Interim Associate Vice Provost, Kenya, alongside students, faculty and participants. The ceremony in Karachi hosted Rachel Baldwin, Vice Provost, Students Affairs at AKU, with representatives from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing Education Services, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Medical College, and the Institute for Educational Development, AKU, representing the true spirit of professional collaboration.
