Training Institute.
To respond and meaningfully contribute to the 95-95-95 UNAIDS cascade and also to enhance access to primary health services in the community, GLOBCOM established a training institute in April 2023 to increase the skilled professional human resource for Health personnel in the community and institutions. The training institute offers courses in HIV Testing Services (HTS), ART Adherence Counselling, HTS Counselling supervision, Community Mental Health, and Child Counselling. The training targets social workers and health professionals who poses a minimum of a Diploma in their respective fields. The institute also provides training in Mental Health which is open for professionals in all sectors. Qualification requirements are also minimal to ensure that mental health issues are adequately addressed across board as a cross cutting need.
Since its inception, the institute has trained over twenty health care workers on HTS. From the concluded trainings GLOBCOM records remarkable success stories from students as follows;
” I was planning to travel to Kisumu to enrol for an HTS course which I have been longing to take for several years now. Due to the distance, I had to raise funds for accommodation in Kisumu and fees. Last week, through the GLOBCOM team, I was informed that GLOBCOM is offering HTS course alongside other health related courses. Without hesitation, I called the coordinator who gave me full information including the next class schedule which was beginning in a week’s time. I realized that their payment modalities were flexible and accommodative of those who could not raise the fees at once, the institute is accredited by NASCOP, and the trainers are well experience and have active experience in the field. Considering the cost effectiveness, I only needed transport to attend the classes on daily basis hence saving me the accommodation cost in Kisumu. I therefore enrolled for HTS course immediately “, remarked one of the trainees.
“After completing the training by GLOBCOM, the facility requested me to continue supporting them in the HTS department since they have a lean staff. I wanted to continue building my skills on other related health interventions, so I found this as an opportunity to build my skill and place myself on the job market”, Said Catherine, attached to Randago dispensary.
“Immediately I completed the practicum, I volunteered in a one of the Sub County Hospitals for two months after which I landed a contractual job with one of the care and treatment partners in Siaya County. I am grateful for the focused and transformative training.” Says one of the September 2023 class graduates.
These are two out of the 23 trainees who have either landed Jobs or still attached to various health facilities and organization including GLOBCOM. GLOBCOM has further engaged all their graduate trainees in HTS provision support at the existing health facilities at the service delivery points (SDPs)
When asked during community dialogue session, one community member remarked… “It has been expensive sending our children to Kisumu for these courses, I sent my daughter for an HTS course which was costly considering time between class and practicum since the institution could only attach students in health facilities within Kisumu. Thanks to GLOBCOM for bringing this closer and being charismatic to assess students in the facilities closer to their homes, hence efficiency and convenience.” The next intake for our courses has been open and the next class shall start on 23rd of May 2024.
