The Union Training and Education
Monthly news item – August 2024
Over 40 healthcare professionals attended pilot training programme organised by The Union to strengthen TB management and control in sub-Saharan Africa.
From 5th to 8th August, a pilot ‘Training of Trainers’ programme on the Management of Child and Adolescent Tuberculosis was held in Maseru, Lesotho, as part of the capacity building activities of The Union's Child and Adolescent Tuberculosis Centre of Excellence (COE).
This pilot training, developed and organised by The Union in collaboration with the Global TB Branch (GTB) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aimed to enhance Child and Adolescent TB management skills among healthcare providers across sub-Saharan Africa.
The 45 participants included healthcare professionals from Lesotho, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Training methodology
In preparation for this training, The Union and CDC teams worked closely with the Lesotho National TB Programme and their in country implementing partners. They held several online meetings to set training objectives and adapt the curriculum to fit the local context. A dedicated group was also formed to review and tailor the training materials accordingly.
The training used the CDC’s TeachBack approach, a method that empowers local trainers by having them deliver the new content themselves. While international experts from The Union and the CDC facilitated the training, participants led the lectures, discussions, and case studies. This approach focuses on role play and feedback, allowing participants to practice and refine their training skills.
Feedback from participants
Participants found the TeachBack method effective for ensuring active engagement and appreciated the use of case studies.
They gained valuable insights into the care, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TB in children and adolescents. The training also provided an excellent opportunity for sharing experiences across different regions.
Future steps
Each country was asked to prepare a detailed plan on how this training could be implemented locally. To support these efforts, The Union and CDC will publish the course material resources as a free eLearning programme on The Union Courses Online in early 2025.
Additionally, The Union plans to offer this as an international course, including online sessions and in-person TeachBack practice. Guidelines on using the TeachBack method are also being considered to support country teams in local training.