Public Private Partnership At Its Best
Capacity building remains an integral part of AKU’s mission. Generating knowledge for widespread dissemination so that maximum amount of people can benefit from it is what every individual at AKU strives for. It is the only way we can make enduring impact across the country.
One such successful initiative came out of our MSc in Health Policy Management (HPM) programme in partnership with the Sindh Department of Health and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The two-year capacity building and training programme was aimed at educating serving government officers, with the request coming directly from the Sindh government after a gap of 20 years.
Previous models adopted by the government to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals had very limited success. Trained officers would leave the department after receiving training, joining the UN and donor agencies in search of better opportunities. This resulted in a brain drain within the cadres with precious resource and time wasted. Thus, the government attempted a different model in consultation with the Aga Khan University where officers from the Health Secretariat and Directorate General Health Services Office would train at the AKU campus in Karachi instead of going to health services academies in Islamabad.
In the new model, government officers were trained while they were on the job to create continuity in capacity building allowing them to immediately implement their learning. Uniquely, the majority were trained as professional ‘visiting students’ through an agreed menu of graduate courses to groom officers already appointed at strategic posts, while a few were assigned to a full masters - all signed a bond stating that they will not leave government service after the training.
Selection was entirely on merit through AKU’s admission test, and the candidates chosen to appear for the test were selected by a joint committee comprising of Director General Health, representatives from USAID and Dr Shehla Zaidi from AKU; Dr Zaidi along with the Health Department leadership spearheaded this initiative from conception till execution and headed the capacity building grant.
18-19 grade officers holding key positions at the time were chosen as they were identified to still have room to grow in their careers. AKU’s semi-weekend executive offering afforded the officers some flexibility, and a mechanism of sharing their grades each semester with the secretary, DG Health and USAID allowed for close performance monitoring.
My experience during the programme was amazing. The subject matter was highly informative, enriching my knowledge and enhancing my capacity to work in senior managerial roles. The methodology applied was excellent particularly the use of modern technology which made it more interesting and palatable. All the students were fully involved and motivated. Overall, this made a difference in my professional career and I thank everyone involved for organizing such an advanced degree course for professionals. - Dr Juman Bahoto
A less tangible but equally compelling measure of success was the enthusiasm displayed by the students during their learning along with the level of effort that was exerted to complete the programme. Since USAID only extended financial support for tuition, a large number of students from Hyderabad had to bear their own travel and living expenses in Karachi. Many of them, including the current DG Health, would often rent a room together, sleep on the floor and travel for hours on the highway to reach their class. This showed their passion to study at AKU.
And their dedication paid off. The government officers did exceptionally well in the programme, often achieving the highest marks in class, and their presence provided a great learning opportunity for other students. AKU faculty appreciated the high quality of classroom discussion and were often challenged while teaching students with years of on the ground experience in health systems. Not only did these students mix extremely well with our private sector students, they formed lasting friendships and good working relationships with each other over long sessions preparing for assignments and making chai in the CHS kitchen. And truly got into the spirit of campus life, sporting trainers and backpacks around.
MSc HPM Student Testimonial
Dr Durrenaz Baloch – Director, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority
Looking at AKU doctors during my childhood, I'd dream of graduating from this marvellous institution but when I completed high school from Sukkur the MBBS admissions at AKU were closed and I went to NMC instead. After that, like many female doctors, I got married and was occupied with taking care of ailing in-laws and my three children for the next 12 years.
It was after restarting my profession as Deputy Director-EPI that I was offered a chance to attend the MSc HPM programme at AKU. Instead of enrolling in MBBS I was now going to get a Masters degree from the institute I always wanted to attend. It was a dream come true.
I became more polished and confident as the programme brought out my problem-solving skills and positive attitude. I feel blessed that my views are valued and my seniors confidently choose me to undertake challenging tasks. I give full credit to my mentors, my colleagues, the CHS and HPM team for helping me achieve this success.
The most rewarding aspect for AKU as an institution was that all the students returned to the government after completing their respective courses, and have gone on to take on senior roles across a variety of public departments.
Dr Juman Bahoto, once seen on campus engaged in healthy discussions with his classmates, is now serving as the Director General Health for Sindh. The other seven graduates have also gone on to occupy important positions in the healthcare space where they are utilizing the skills learnt at AKU to improve health outcomes and the standard of living of the population they serve.
Not only have these student remained connected with the staff and faculty of AKU, they give their education at AKU a lot of credit. Today, they serve as ambassadors of our programmes, and provide a widespread network through which many of our projects in Sindh are facilitated.
- Dr Adil Shiakh – Deputy Director, Provincial Health Development Centre
- Adnan Ahmed Khan – In a senior management position at a hospital in Hyderabad
- Dr Aftab Ahmed Kazi – Deputy Director of Preventative, Directorate General of Health Services Sindh
- Dr Agha Inamullah Khan – Health Systems Analyst, Government of Sindh and USAID (G2G) Project
- Dr Durrenaz Baloch – Director, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority
- Dr Mohammad Juman Bahoto – Director General of Health, Sindh, and Director, Expanded Program on Immunization in Sindh
- Muhammad Moosa Qazi – Deputy Director of Health Education, Directorate General of Health Services Sindh, Hyderabad
- Dr Saqib Ali Shaikh – Director, HIV/AIDS Program
Apart from these eight individuals, 80 other students benefitted from shorter training courses through this initiative and they too serve in senior roles like Deputy Secretary across the province. Our faculty worked tirelessly despite unusual working hours to facilitate this particular programme, which itself saw a lot of growth due to working professionals joining in on the weekends. It is a great example of all actors coming together to play their part to create lasting impact that has far-reaching effects.
Successful collaborations such as these require willingness to try new things, desire to generate change and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and learning. The team at AKU was willing to adapt to and accommodate varying needs, committing to providing an enriching experience for this special class of students. The students gave it their best and embraced this opportunity. None of this would have been possible without the support of partners like USAID and the government; it takes will, effort and foresight on part of the government to try a new model, with a keen interest in the development of its employees. All these moving parts came together in agreement and partnership to truly propel learning forward and be worthy of the title Change-makers.
"Amidst the skepticism that generally surrounds government stewardship, I took up this challenge to put mature professionals through the demanding training paces at AKU - and it was a project that brought me so much joy. I spent every Saturday at AKU for two years with Rahim (Punjwani) and my colleagues, teaching government students, watching them integrate within the milieu of a private university - the backpacks, the laptops, the five minute presentation challenge, the public debates, and long evening of preps for nasty quizzes. It was never a donor initiated project - that was the beauty. Owned by the health department and AKU, the donor was asked only to step in with the tuition. The alumni now form a wide network across Sindh for AKU and the hospital’s ongoing work, they continue to unlock corridors of partnerships for many of my AKU colleagues." - Dr Shehla Zaidi
MSc HPM Student Testimonial
Dr Agha Inamullah Khan - Health Systems Analyst, Government of Sindh and USAID (G2G) Project.
My heart was thumping like a steam engine shunting at Shikarpur railway station; sweating in my tweed coat in November, wearing an anxious smile as I moved in to defend my thesis to a Professor from Islamabad. I had been lazy to dye my hair. I remember as I finished my presentation; she said, “very well done but what took you so long. I mean at 50, you could have done it before.” I remember we laughed as I replied, “Hamesha dair ker deta hou mein” alluding to poet Munir Niazi's sonnet.
Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that after graduating with an MBBS degree from Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro in 1991, I would once again find myself at a university fifteen years later; that too, qualifying to get into Aga Khan University. My class at the HPM programme was a blend of very fine young students and experienced healthcare professionals.
AKU has charisma; from the magnificent architecture to academic splendor sparkling among instructors like Shehla Zaidi, Rozina Karmaliani, Tazeen Saeed, Yasmeen and many more. It isn’t just about gaining a degree; it chisels you into a leader.
It was because of the skills gained at AKU that USAID selected me to support them in health system strengthening in 2017. From the coffee to its curriculum, AKU is a class apart and I will cherish my experience forever; from the day I received an admission form from Rahim Punjwani to the day I received my graduating certificate.