2002 Training of Trainers Courses for Reproductive Health
---------------------------------------------------------
with emphasis on Family Planning
52nd Course (Anglophone): 3 June - 12 July, 2002
53rd Course (Francophone): 23 September - 1 November, 2002
Introduction
The Mauritius Institute of Health is pleased to announce its Training
of Trainers courses for Reproductive Health with emphasis on Family
Planning. The present programme, adapted to better meet the WHO Re-
gional Training activities in Family Health initiated in 1982, and
those of the UNFPA Regional Project RAF/96/P01.
The Mauritius Institute of Health, with the collaboration/support of
the UNFPA, WHO and Government of Mauritius pursues its efforts/task
in contributing to the upholding of the status of reproductive health
in the Sub-Saharan region and beyond.
To date more than 1,200 professionals including faculty members, di-
rectors of training programmes, tutors, health professionals compris-
ing Obstetricians/Gynaecologists, Paediatricians, Physicians, Mid-
wives, Nurses in highly responsible positions have participated in
this programme.
The multi-disciplinary nature of this course enhances the quality of
experiences shared/exchanged and promotes a better understanding of
individual contribution to teamwork.
Apart from the Training of Trainers for Reproductive Health courses,
the MIH also offers back-up support for the organisation of in-
country training programmes in specific aspects of reproductive
health, and hosts study tours with objectives relating to reproduc-
tive health.
Aims of the programme
This regional programme aims at improving the reproductive health in
sub-Saharan Africa by training trainers for reproductive health with
special emphasis on family planning. The programme continues activi-
ties that began in 1982 and that have been modified over the years in
order to reflect changing priorities in the region. Emphasis will
henceforth be placed on
1. educational methodology as compared to clinical aspects,
2. a reflection in the curriculum oh the philosophy and objectives of
the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development,
3. careful selection of participants in collaboration with country
offices of WHO , UNFPA and other sponsoring agencies,
4. follow-up of participants so as to ensure that participation in
the courses is followed by appropriate training activities at the
country level.
With the anticipated multiplier effect in the training of health
workers by former participants, it is expected that human resources
for the provision of reproductive health services in the region will
be greatly increased at the country level.
The programme targets those countries where there is a greater need
for the training of personnel in reproductive health. This phase of
the programme is devoted mainly to the training of a critical mass of
trainers for reproductive health in each country so as to maximise
the efficiency of inputs through a cascade effect subsequently at the
country level.
Profile of participants
Course participants must have a training role in reproductive health,
the required profile being:
1. tutors in professional schools such as medical, nursing and mid-
wifery,
2. members of in-service training teams, and
3. central, regional and district supervisors who have major training
responsibilities as part of their supervisory activities. A mix of
medical practitioners, nurses and midwives is appropriate in view
of the interdisciplinary nature of primary health care and the ex-
change of experiences.
Site of programme
Programme activities strengthen the well-established collaboration
between the Government of Mauritius, the Mauritius Institute of
Health, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Popula-
tion Fund and is based at its current premises at the Mauritius In-
stitute of Health, Powder Mill, Pamplemousses.
Contents of courses
Each six-week course will consist of two modules:
1. family planning for reproductive health and
2. educational methodology.
These two modules will complement each other: topics on family plan-
ning will be used as examples to illustrate relevant items in the
module on educational methodology and appropriate learning strategies
and media will be promoted in the module on family planning for re-
productive health.
Family planning for reproductive health
Lasting two weeks, the module on family planning for reproductive
health consists of an update of specific family planning methods as
well as the reproductive health concept. This modification in the
curriculum will ensure that prominence is given to relevant topics as
identified at the International Conference on Population and Develop-
ment held in Cairo, in 1994.
Educational methodology
Lasting four weeks, this module will be given increased emphasis in
view of its primordial role in the course: this project aims at
training trainers for reproductive health as compared to training in
clinical aspects of family planning.
Participants will have the opportunity of carrying out a micro-
teaching session on a subject of their own choice. The session will
be recorded on a video tape which will be played back so as to pro-
vide feedback to participants.
Country training course
With the support of the facilitators, participants will work in coun-
try groups to develop a training course which they will be expected
to implement upon their return to their own countries. It is essen-
tial that participants be fully aware of the priority training needs
in reproductive health for their countries, and prepare, in collabo-
ration with their supervisors/funding agencies, a list of relevant
topics before leaving for Mauritius. Participants might find it use-
ful to bring with them relevant documents for the preparation of
those training courses.
Nomination of participants
Countries will be strongly encouraged to train a critical mass of
trainers for reproductive health by proposing groups of participants
for courses. The presence in a country of several former participants
will encourage mutual support for carrying out subsequent training
activities as compared to single individuals who would not be other-
wise motivated to act alone. It would be desirable for participants
to attend in groups of three or four from each country.
We would like to receive, confidentially if needed, your evaluation
of candidates and any other comments that would help in our selection
of participants. About 24 participants will be selected to attend
each course.
Expenses of participants
Tuition fees of US$ 2,500 will be charged for each participant.
Sponsoring agencies will be also responsible for the travel arrange-
ments of participants and the living allowance for the time spent in
Mauritius. Those agencies will be expected to provide participants
with the airline ticket as well as an advance in foreign currency for
the days spent in transit for both legs of the journey.
Living expenses of each participant are calculated on the basis of
the prevailing stipend rates for United Nations fellows and the num-
ber of days spent in Mauritius. With the current daily subsistence
allowance of Mauritian Rupees 3,920 and an exchange rate of US$ 1 =
MR 24.436, the participant arriving 2 days before and leaving 2 days
after the course would receive:
Days Stipend % Daily allowance Total allowance
(Mauritian Rupees) (Mauritian Rupees)
1st 30 45% 3,920 X 0.45 = 1,764 1,764 X 30 = 52,920
last 14 30% 3,920 X 0.30 = 1,176 1,176 X 14 = 16,464
Total 69,384
The above living allowance of MRs 69,384 is currently equivalent to
US$ 2,839.
Entry visa
Details of arrival and passport (nationality, passport number, dates
of issue and expiry) should be sent to us as soon as possible so that
necessary arrangements could be made for participants to be met at
the airport and also for their entry visa. The project will obtain a
collective visa for all participants. Participants from non-
Commonwealth countries may have to leave their passports at the immi-
gration desk at the airport. Those passports will be collected and
returned to them within a few days.
Follow-up of participants
Within six weeks of the end of the course, each participant will sub-
mit a report to the funding agency. About six months after each
course, a follow-up questionnaire will be sent to all participants.
The questionnaire will include items such as learning, performance
and impact indicators.
Success of this project can only be achieved by an adequate follow-up
of former participants to promote further activities. Funding of
those follow-up activities will be met from the national funds of re-
productive health projects of WHO and UNFPA. Former participants have
a major role to play as national facilitators in the holding of sub-
sequent workshops.
Close working relationships with WHO and UNFPA country offices as
well as the three country support teams will promote the maintenance
of contacts with former participants and encourage them to use their
experience for follow-up activities.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further informa-
tion. We look forward to receiving application from suitable indi-
viduals.
Dr J.C.Mohith
Executive Director
Mauritius Institute of Health
Pamplemousses, Mauritius
Tel: +230-243-4268/3772/3698
Fax: +230-243-4014
mailto:indumih@intnet.mu
mailto:mihealth@intnet.mu
To download an application form visit our website:
http://ncb.intnet.mu/mih/index.htm
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