Successful training activities in Kenya

The Endoscopy Training Workshop

During 28-29th March 2025, surgical residents from 9 different College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) training hospitals attended the Endoscopy Training Workshop in Kiambu (Kenya). The workshop was organized by the eCAP partner Operating Theatre Practitioners Association of Kenya (OTPAK) as part of the preparatory work for eCAP clinical trials.

OTPAK is a non-profit organization that brings together all persons who are interested in improving surgery in Kenya on a voluntary basis. All its profits are reinvested in the training of surgeons and in research activities.

The Endoscopy Training Workshop started with a welcome presentation addressed by the medical superintendent – Dr. Peninah, followed by the introduction of all attendees led by Dr. Misango. During the first session, Dr. Ndegwa gave an overview on Endoscopy at Kiambu Hospital, Professor Pankaj Jani continued with the presentation on Implementation of Flexible Endoscopy in rural Kenya and the session finished with an interactive discussion session with the residents followed by a MCQ test.

For the following sessions the residents were divided into three different groups depending on their endoscopy prior experience, involvement in cases or previous formal training.

Endoscopy training for all levels

The basic training consisted took place in the Kiambu Hospital CME room and was led by Professor Pankaj Jani and Dr Gichere. A total of 16 residents attended the introduction into endoscopy and discussed topics such as Patient preparation, Sedation and analgesia, Parts of an Endoscope, Equipment and handling, Indications and Contraindications, or Complications and how to address them.

*Basic training at the Endoscopy Training Workshop*

Dr. Mugo and Dr. Muchunu conducted the intermediate level training in the hospital board room of Kiambu Hospital. The session included practical training on live animal specimen using an endoscope for residents to practice on how to carefully move the endoscope in the upper GI tract. A total of 6 surgical residents got their hands on under supervision and guidance of the experience consultants.

*Residents with hands on the set-up and equipment*

The advanced training was conducted by Dr. Ndegwa on live patients at the operating theatres of the Kiambu Hospital. During this training, the residents assisted the experienced consultant.

*Residents and Dr. Ndegwa at the operating theatre*

On the second day, Professor Adrian Park presented The Past, Present and Future of Endoscopy, which provided an insightful perspective and details on the evolution of endoscopy, followed by an interactive question and answer session.

*The Past, Present and Future of Endoscopy, Prof. Adrian Park*

For the training sessions on the second day, the residents who participated on the basic level training on the first day, practiced on the live specimen, and the group who practiced on the specimen during the first trainings, had the chance to join the operating room to assist in performing endoscopy on patients.

Workshop outcomes

Among the 24 surgical residents who attended the Endoscopy Training Workshop in Kiambu (Kenya) organized by OTPAK, 16 of them had only basic knowledge of endoscopy. Through the training provided by the experienced consultants, all the residents had the opportunity to get hands on experience on endoscopy procedures and ended up practicing on animals or assisting on live patients.

Watch the Kameme TV report about the Workshop: https://lnkd.in/gdGcz8iy

24 Surgical residents from:

Kiambu level five county hospital
Machakos level five hospital
Kenyatta university teaching and referral hospital
Kisii teaching and referral hospital
AIC Kijabe hospital
Tenwek hospital
Meru county hospital
Thika level five hospital
The Mater hospital

7 experienced consultants:

Prof. P. Jani
Prof. A. Park
Dr. S. Misango
Dr. P. Muchunu
Dr. D. Ndegwa
Dr. P. Mugo
Dr. R. Gichere