Professor Kokila Lakhoo from the Oxford University Global Surgery Group reports on delivering the Paediatric Surgical Capacity Building Programme for the first time in Kenya.
During 2025–2026, the Paediatric Surgical Capacity Building Programme delivered multidisciplinary training initiatives across Botswana, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya, strengthening access to safe paediatric surgical care in underserved regions.
The programme focused on up-skilling adult district hospital teams comprising surgeons, anaesthesia providers, nurses and biomedical engineers through a combination of classroom-based learning, simulation training and hands-on theatre experience. Training was delivered in partnership with local ministries of health, tertiary hospitals and international faculty, with support from KidsOR.
In June 2026, my global surgery colleagues and I delivered the programme for the first time in Kenya, at Kiambu County Referral Hospital, inviting trainer teams from five out of the 42 districts in Kenya. The key team at Kiambu Hospital attended the training session in Tanzania in February 2026. The aim will be for these five trained teams to cascade the training to other district trainer teams.
Key achievements
- More than 28 paediatric healthcare professionals (trainer teams) were trained in Kiambu Hospital in Nairobi with the support from the executive director of the hospital and the key minister from the district.
- Eight children received surgical procedures during the training.
- Significant improvements in participant knowledge and confidence were demonstrated through pre- and post-course assessments:
o Kenya: average scores increased from 82.8% to 94% (these were trainer teams).
- Programmes successfully strengthened collaboration between surgeons, anaesthesia teams, nurses and biomedical engineers, promoting safer perioperative practice and improved referral pathways.
- Hands-on practical training, simulation exercises and theatre-based learning were consistently identified as the most valuable aspects of the courses.
Strategic impact
The programme addressed critical workforce shortages in paediatric surgery across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in regions where specialist access is limited and patients often travel long distances for care. The training model supports decentralisation of paediatric surgical services by equipping district-level teams with essential competencies in emergency management, perioperative care and safe surgical practice.
The programme aligns with National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plans (NSOAP) receiving engagement from Ministry of Health leadership, supporting long-term sustainability and potential integration into national training structures.
Sustainability and future development
A strong emphasis is placed on ‘train-the-trainer’ methodology to build local ownership and long-term sustainability.
Overall, the programme demonstrates measurable improvements in clinical knowledge, multidisciplinary teamwork and paediatric surgical capacity, contributing to safer and more accessible surgical care for children across participating regions.
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