New Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Created at Moi University and Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital

When pregnant mothers encounter unexpected problems or high-risk conditions, babies and moms need specialized care to ensure their health and survival. In western Kenya, many pregnant mothers lack access to this kind of care because few physicans have advanced training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

AMPATH is filling this training gap through a new fellowship program in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Nanetten Okun, Division Head of Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Toronto, shares the following update: 

Four years of sustained cooperative effort has paid off in the recent announcement that a Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinical fellowship training program has been approved at Moi University. Based at Moi University School of Medicine and Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, this program is slated to begin in September 2018.

In close partnership with the University of Toronto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, two successful candidates from Moi will develop advanced skills and knowledge in fetal diagnostic ultrasound and provide improved care to women with pregnancies where there is an increased risk of preterm birth or fetal growth restriction. Women with medical disorders such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes will receive improved care as the maternal fetal medicine program establishes links with other specialties such as endocrinology and cardiology. As the program develops, teams of health providers at Moi from obstetrics, pediatrics, internal medicine, cardiology and surgery will collaborate to coordinate improved care for antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care to mothers and babies with complex pregnancies.

Visiting faculty from across Canada will participate with “on the ground” training at Moi, in combination with virtual lectures, virtual rounds, and regular case-based care planning with faculty at Moi and University of Toronto. Fellows will attend the University of Toronto for a focused training experience in combination with attendance at an international maternal fetal medicine meeting.

This is the second subspecialty fellowship training program in Women’s Health at Moi University and MTRH. It follows on the very successful Gynecologic Oncology program that has seen several candidates graduate and bring their new skills and knowledge to the care of Kenyan women. 

Congratulations to Moi University School of Medicine, MTRH and AMPATH partners on this step forward in care for mothers and babies!