E-Learning Incubator for Health Workers - Tanzania

The E-learning Incubator for health workers incites health training institutions in Tanzania to integrate e-learning in their programmes if appropriate. E-learning is a type of education where computer technology is the medium of instruction. Computerized education in health is new in Tanzania. This project has a huge potential as it can improve the quantity and quality of training of approximately 8000 health workers both in cities and in remote areas.

The center is established at the School of Hygiene of the Allied Health School. It works closely together with the zonal traning centres.

Health workers need to be trained continuously to stay up to date with medical developments and provide good health care. In Tanzania there is a lack of professionally trained health workers. Especially in remote areas, health workers have poor access to training courses. The E-learning Incubator aims to increase the access to and quality of health courses, by assisting training centres with the development of e-learning courses. The Incubator also ensures continuous professional development of health workers.

The project is integrated in the Allied Health School and collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The project is organised as Centre of Excellence (NeSC). The centre prepares e-learning courses on demand. Presently NeSC prepares courses for the Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation a programme has been agreed upon. It starts with 7 courses in 15 districts. However, Mkapa reorganises a number of activities and requested rescheduling of the e-learning activities. Separatly, NeSC develops the capacity with the zonal training centers to develop and implement e-learning courses. Other e-learning activities are under preparation the Tanzania Nurses and MidWives Council.

The specific objectives are:

• To assist Zonal Training Centres, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS), Bugando Hospital and others who indicate keen interest.to generate e-learning content
• To provide server facilities and software to continue and develop further e-learning materials
• To assist 10 medical training institutes in articulating how e-learning can be integrated in their activities and what is needed to make it functional
• To expose policy makers and those responsible for certification to the opportunities, problems and needs of e-learning; to jointly develop a roadmap to integrate e-learning in the standing policies and practices
• To provide follow-up and expert support to the development of policies and certification in this field
• To stimulate five promising initiatives with a small grant
• To formulate a follow-up programme if appropriate after evaluation

The present shortage of qualified health workers is severe. E-learning will contribute to the improvement of this situation and might be an incentive to remote health workers.

The impact of e-learning to other applications might be beyond expectations if sought for in an innovative way.

• The flexible process approach used is more helpful than the blue print approach. It allowed to create high level support and to develop a market.
• Because the process is flexible, it is important to document the lessons learnt and plans. When goals, opportunities and constraints become clear, the project needs to go towards a blue print approach.
• The project is now highly dependent on one person; the number of people involved should be increased. This has been done and a team has been created.

The project is owned by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). This is a parastatal organisation with the responsibility of co-ordinating and promoting research and technology development activities in the country.  It is the chief advisor to the government on all matters pertaining to science and technology and their application to the socio-economic development of the country.