About ECSAPACH
The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) is a regional organization set up in 1974 to foster cooperation and strengthening of health care programmes among member states in the region. The ECSA-HC Conference of Health Ministers is the highest governing body of ECSA-HC and meets annually to review policy matters, national health strategies and to define regional health priorities.
Through a Health Ministers resolution (ECSA/HMC54/R9) the East Central and Southern Africa College of Health Sciences (ECSA-CHS) was established in 2014. Recognizing significant gaps in Human Resources for Health, particularly the shortage of specialised medical professionals, the Health Ministers Conference proposed an additional training approach – the collegiate model, to supplement traditional university education.
This approach, known as the fellowship programme, facilitates specialised training within the workplace.
In 2019, the National Paediatric Associations and Societies in the ECSA region began discussions on the need for a unified approach to pediatric training and development. The Representatives from various Paediatric Associations met and resolved to establish the East Central and Southern Africa College of Paediatrics and Child Health (ECSAPACH) on April 15, 2021. This led to submission of a formal request, along with the requisite instruments, including the College Constitution and Paediatric Residency Training Curriculum to register and affiliate ECSAPACH to the ECSA-CHS.
On February 9, 2023, the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community at its 71st Health Ministers Conference approved the establishment of ECSAPACH. The East Central and Southern Africa College of Paediatrics and Child Health is a constituent college of the ECSA-CHS.
ECSAPACH Constitution
The East, Central & Southern Africa College of Paediatrics and Child Health (ECSAPACH) is a professional institution dedicated to advancing paediatric healthcare through specialist education, research, and collaboration across the region.
Key Highlights:
- Name & Emblem: ECSAPACH is the official body representing paediatricians in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
- Vision & Mission: Focused on innovative, decentralized specialist paediatric education to improve child health outcomes in Africa.
- Core Values: Integrity, Quality, Collaboration, Innovation, and Nurturing.
- Membership: Open to Fellows, Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members, with clear eligibility criteria and obligations.
- Governance: The College is managed by a Council, an Executive Committee, and Specialty Boards, ensuring high professional standards.
- Objectives:
- Promote and conduct postgraduate training in paediatrics and allied disciplines.
- Encourage research and professional development.
- Establish national and regional collaborations in paediatric healthcare.
- Meetings & Conferences: Annual General Meetings and Scientific Conferences provide platforms for professional development and policy decisions.
- Financial Management: The College relies on membership fees, donations, grants, and partnerships to sustain its operations.
- Amendments & Dissolution: The Constitution can only be amended through a resolution at an Annual General Meeting, and dissolution requires a three-quarters majority vote.
For detailed governance structures, membership requirements, and operational guidelines, download the full ECSAPACH Constitution below.
Member states
History
Mission &
Values
CAMPUS
Dr. Thomas Ngwiri
“For me, it’s about the academic sphere. The College is interesting and conceptual. We acknowledge how important it is to be experimental.”