Higher Diploma in
Community Health
training.amref.org
Broadening Your Perspective in Community Health Practice
Goal of the Programme
To produce community health practitioners with knowledge and
competencies to transform community health practice for the
realisation of lasting health change in Africa
Rationale for the Programme
Amref Health Africa’s experience of over fifty years in implementing
community health programmes has shown that the practice of
community health has the greatest impact in the well-being of
households at the community level.
Using its expertise in implementing community health programmes
in Africa, Amref Health Africa has been training health workers in
community health since 1987.
The Diploma in Community Health (DCH) programme focuses on
training graduates on leadership in planning and management of
community health interventions at district and community levels.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is intended for persons working in health and
development fields with special interest in community health.
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Higher Diploma in Community Health
Programme, a candidate must satisfy any of the following minimum
requirements:
Either
Be a holder of Diploma in Community Health recognised by Amref
Health Africa with at least one year working experience
or
Be a holder of any other health-related Diploma or equivalent
qualifications recognised by Amref Health Africa with at least one
year working experience
or
Be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree recognised by Amref Health
Africa
Other key competencies required are:
Computer skills to enable one to learn using online
resources and methods
Competence in both written and spoken English
Mode of Learning
Course delivery is via eLearning. Off-line access to the course
content will be provided in CDs. Students can learn in the comfort of
their homes, or if allowed in the work place, without disrupting their
work schedules.
Course Duration
The programme shall take 12 months and will cover 39 units of 12
modules, which are distributed across three (3) terms.
Goal of the Programme
To produce community health practitioners with knowledge and
competencies to transform community health practice for the
realisation of lasting health change in Africa
Rationale for the Programme
Amref Health Africa’s experience of over fifty years in implementing
community health programmes has shown that the practice of
community health has the greatest impact in the well-being of
households at the community level.
Using its expertise in implementing community health programmes
in Africa, Amref Health Africa has been training health workers in
community health since 1987.
The Diploma in Community Health (DCH) programme focuses on
training graduates on leadership in planning and management of
community health interventions at district and community levels.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is intended for persons working in health and
development fields with special interest in community health.
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Higher Diploma in Community Health
Programme, a candidate must satisfy any of the following minimum
requirements:
Either
Be a holder of Diploma in Community Health recognised by Amref
Health Africa with at least one year working experience
or
Be a holder of any other health-related Diploma or equivalent
qualifications recognised by Amref Health Africa with at least one
year working experience
or
Be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree recognised by Amref Health
Africa
Other key competencies required are:
Computer skills to enable one to learn using online
resources and methods
Competence in both written and spoken English
Mode of Learning
Course delivery is via eLearning. Off-line access to the course
content will be provided in CDs. Students can learn in the comfort of
their homes, or if allowed in the work place, without disrupting their
work schedules.
Course Duration
The programme shall take 12 months and will cover 39 units of 12
modules, which are distributed across three (3) terms.
Programme Design and Structure
The programme is competence based, and the modules are
organised in a logical and sequential order to facilitate the process
of learning. Each student is required to take four modules in term
one, five modules in term two, three modules in term three and a
research project. These require close support and supervision by
experienced health practitioners and researchers from Amref
Health Africa and field facilitators.
The course is implemented using the modular approach and
innovative teaching and learning methods with emphasis on
eLearning. The programme modules are as outlined below:
ENROL FOR ANY
OF THE MODULES
@ USD 150
AND GET AN
AMREF SHORT
COURSE
CERTIFICATE
IN THE COURSE
Principles of Community Health
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Research Methodology
Community Based Health Care
Family Health and Nutrition
Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease
Health Promotion
Environmental and Occupational Health
Teaching and Learning for Performance
Health Services Management
Disaster Risk Management
Research Project
Fees
The fee for the Programme is Ksh 150,000 for Kenyans and US$
1,800 for non-Kenyans
Intakes
There are three intakes in a year: January, May and September
The inaugural class for HDCH will be the January 2017 class
Applications
Download application forms from training.amref.org
Completed application forms to be submitted together with the
following:
Submit filled application forms and documents to:
Ksh 500 application fee for Kenyans and US$ 10 for
non-Kenyans
Copies of relevant transcripts and certificates
Updated Curriculum Vitae
Copy of national ID/ Passport
Soft copy of passport size photograph
Programme Design and Structure
The programme is competence based, and the modules are
organised in a logical and sequential order to facilitate the process
of learning. Each student is required to take four modules in term
one, five modules in term two, three modules in term three and a
research project. These require close support and supervision by
experienced health practitioners and researchers from Amref
Health Africa and field facilitators.
The course is implemented using the modular approach and
innovative teaching and learning methods with emphasis on
eLearning. The programme modules are as outlined below:
ENROL FOR ANY
OF THE MODULES
@ USD 150
AND GET AN
AMREF SHORT
COURSE
CERTIFICATE
IN THE COURSE
Principles of Community Health
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Research Methodology
Community Based Health Care
Family Health and Nutrition
Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease
Health Promotion
Environmental and Occupational Health
Teaching and Learning for Performance
Health Services Management
Disaster Risk Management
Research Project
Fees
The fee for the Programme is Ksh 150,000 for Kenyans and US$
1,800 for non-Kenyans
Intakes
There are three intakes in a year: January, May and September
The inaugural class for HDCH will be the January 2017 class
Applications
Download application forms from training.amref.org
Completed application forms to be submitted together with the
following:
Submit filled application forms and documents to:
Ksh 500 application fee for Kenyans and US$ 10 for
non-Kenyans
Copies of relevant transcripts and certificates
Updated Curriculum Vitae
Copy of national ID/ Passport
Soft copy of passport size photograph
What our Alumni Say
Kiamuangana Nkongolo, 2012 eLearning Class, Provincial Malaria
Officer, Angola “The course is well designed and structured and truly
meets the needs of students because it places students in a real
working environment by providing the necessary tools to facilitate
their work. Personally, I can say out loud that I am now a Provincial
Malaria Officer in my country Angola, thanks to the completion of
DCH Course”
Bias Sichamba, 2012 eLearning class, MEAL Officer, Zambia
“I needed the Diploma in Community Health especially since I work
for a community based health project on Maternal Neonatal and
Child health. The uniqueness of the DCH course is that it prepares
you for the real world of public health. I benefited greatly as a
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer
because I was able to understand Biostatistics and Epidemiology;
health policy issues; and diseases of public health importance.
Most importantly, DCH has helped me perceive the community as
the most important partner and stakeholder if community based
projects were to be sustained”
Dr. Adebola Hassan, 2012 eLearning Class, Medical Doctor, Nigeria
“The DCH programme has helped my public health interventions
through improved understanding and broadened knowledge of
various public health issues. This has translated to a more efficient
discharge of my duties. The course modules were very detailed and
the faculty standards could comparatively compete with a Masters
in Public Health. The flexible style of learning allowed lifestyle
adjustment to suit individual learning pace. I can go through any
rigorous academic exercise as it takes double the effort of a
classroom learning programme, to do an online course.”
ANGOLA
ZAMBIA
NIGERIA
Isabellah Kagwiria Terah, 2013 eLearning Class, Project Manager,
Kenya “The training was very useful to me, as it gave me required
skills and a better approach to community programmes. I was
promoted to a project manager with Terres des Hommes in their
integrated programmes of WASH and Health and Child Protection,
as my training in DCH gave me an added advantage. I would
recommend anyone working with communities to take this course.”
Victorine Nchioleh, 2014 eLearning Class, Project Assistant,
Cameroon " A diploma in community health was something I looked
forward to doing as it offers the best possible grounding for a
promising career in public health, Amref having a reputation to
produce world class community health workers was thus, the best
choice ever."
Kinyaa Valeria Peter, 2015 eLearning Class, Nurse, South Sudan “I
must admit that I have gained a lot from the course. I learned many
things from the course materials. I found the course interesting.
After finishing term one, and in the middle of term two, our
community was confronted with a Cholera epidemic. It was not easy
but with all the knowledge I acquired from the course, my job
performance in regards to increased effectiveness, efficiency and
professionalism improved tremendously. I was chosen by the
hospital administration after realising that I am student of
Community Health with Amref to work in the cholera wards for a
duration of three months until the outbreak was contained.”
What our Alumni Say
Kiamuangana Nkongolo, 2012 eLearning Class, Provincial Malaria
Officer, Angola “The course is well designed and structured and truly
meets the needs of students because it places students in a real
working environment by providing the necessary tools to facilitate
their work. Personally, I can say out loud that I am now a Provincial
Malaria Officer in my country Angola, thanks to the completion of
DCH Course”
Bias Sichamba, 2012 eLearning class, MEAL Officer, Zambia
“I needed the Diploma in Community Health especially since I work
for a community based health project on Maternal Neonatal and
Child health. The uniqueness of the DCH course is that it prepares
you for the real world of public health. I benefited greatly as a
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer
because I was able to understand Biostatistics and Epidemiology;
health policy issues; and diseases of public health importance.
Most importantly, DCH has helped me perceive the community as
the most important partner and stakeholder if community based
projects were to be sustained”
Dr. Adebola Hassan, 2012 eLearning Class, Medical Doctor, Nigeria
“The DCH programme has helped my public health interventions
through improved understanding and broadened knowledge of
various public health issues. This has translated to a more efficient
discharge of my duties. The course modules were very detailed and
the faculty standards could comparatively compete with a Masters
in Public Health. The flexible style of learning allowed lifestyle
adjustment to suit individual learning pace. I can go through any
rigorous academic exercise as it takes double the effort of a
classroom learning programme, to do an online course.”
KENYA
CAMEROON
SOUTH SUDAN
Isabellah Kagwiria Terah, 2013 eLearning Class, Project Manager,
Kenya “The training was very useful to me, as it gave me required
skills and a better approach to community programmes. I was
promoted to a project manager with Terres des Hommes in their
integrated programmes of WASH and Health and Child Protection,
as my training in DCH gave me an added advantage. I would
recommend anyone working with communities to take this course.”
Victorine Nchioleh, 2014 eLearning Class, Project Assistant,
Cameroon " A diploma in community health was something I looked
forward to doing as it offers the best possible grounding for a
promising career in public health, Amref having a reputation to
produce world class community health workers was thus, the best
choice ever."
Kinyaa Valeria Peter, 2015 eLearning Class, Nurse, South Sudan “I
must admit that I have gained a lot from the course. I learned many
things from the course materials. I found the course interesting.
After finishing term one, and in the middle of term two, our
community was confronted with a Cholera epidemic. It was not easy
but with all the knowledge I acquired from the course, my job
performance in regards to increased effectiveness, efficiency and
professionalism improved tremendously. I was chosen by the
hospital administration after realising that I am student of
Community Health with Amref to work in the cholera wards for a
duration of three months until the outbreak was contained.”
What our Alumni Say
Kiamuangana Nkongolo, 2012 eLearning Class, Provincial Malaria
Officer, Angola “The course is well designed and structured and truly
meets the needs of students because it places students in a real
working environment by providing the necessary tools to facilitate
their work. Personally, I can say out loud that I am now a Provincial
Malaria Officer in my country Angola, thanks to the completion of
DCH Course”
Bias Sichamba, 2012 eLearning class, MEAL Officer, Zambia
“I needed the Diploma in Community Health especially since I work
for a community based health project on Maternal Neonatal and
Child health. The uniqueness of the DCH course is that it prepares
you for the real world of public health. I benefited greatly as a
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer
because I was able to understand Biostatistics and Epidemiology;
health policy issues; and diseases of public health importance.
Most importantly, DCH has helped me perceive the community as
the most important partner and stakeholder if community based
projects were to be sustained”
Dr. Adebola Hassan, 2012 eLearning Class, Medical Doctor, Nigeria
“The DCH programme has helped my public health interventions
through improved understanding and broadened knowledge of
various public health issues. This has translated to a more efficient
discharge of my duties. The course modules were very detailed and
the faculty standards could comparatively compete with a Masters
in Public Health. The flexible style of learning allowed lifestyle
adjustment to suit individual learning pace. I can go through any
rigorous academic exercise as it takes double the effort of a
classroom learning programme, to do an online course.”
ANGOLA
ZAMBIA
NIGERIA
Isabellah Kagwiria Terah, 2013 eLearning Class, Project Manager,
Kenya “The training was very useful to me, as it gave me required
skills and a better approach to community programmes. I was
promoted to a project manager with Terres des Hommes in their
integrated programmes of WASH and Health and Child Protection,
as my training in DCH gave me an added advantage. I would
recommend anyone working with communities to take this course.”
Victorine Nchioleh, 2014 eLearning Class, Project Assistant,
Cameroon " A diploma in community health was something I looked
forward to doing as it offers the best possible grounding for a
promising career in public health, Amref having a reputation to
produce world class community health workers was thus, the best
choice ever."
Kinyaa Valeria Peter, 2015 eLearning Class, Nurse, South Sudan “I
must admit that I have gained a lot from the course. I learned many
things from the course materials. I found the course interesting.
After finishing term one, and in the middle of term two, our
community was confronted with a Cholera epidemic. It was not easy
but with all the knowledge I acquired from the course, my job
performance in regards to increased effectiveness, efficiency and
professionalism improved tremendously. I was chosen by the
hospital administration after realising that I am student of
Community Health with Amref to work in the cholera wards for a
duration of three months until the outbreak was contained.”
What our Alumni Say
Kiamuangana Nkongolo, 2012 eLearning Class, Provincial Malaria
Officer, Angola “The course is well designed and structured and truly
meets the needs of students because it places students in a real
working environment by providing the necessary tools to facilitate
their work. Personally, I can say out loud that I am now a Provincial
Malaria Officer in my country Angola, thanks to the completion of
DCH Course”
Bias Sichamba, 2012 eLearning class, MEAL Officer, Zambia
“I needed the Diploma in Community Health especially since I work
for a community based health project on Maternal Neonatal and
Child health. The uniqueness of the DCH course is that it prepares
you for the real world of public health. I benefited greatly as a
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer
because I was able to understand Biostatistics and Epidemiology;
health policy issues; and diseases of public health importance.
Most importantly, DCH has helped me perceive the community as
the most important partner and stakeholder if community based
projects were to be sustained”
Dr. Adebola Hassan, 2012 eLearning Class, Medical Doctor, Nigeria
“The DCH programme has helped my public health interventions
through improved understanding and broadened knowledge of
various public health issues. This has translated to a more efficient
discharge of my duties. The course modules were very detailed and
the faculty standards could comparatively compete with a Masters
in Public Health. The flexible style of learning allowed lifestyle
adjustment to suit individual learning pace. I can go through any
rigorous academic exercise as it takes double the effort of a
classroom learning programme, to do an online course.”
KENYA
CAMEROON
SOUTH SUDAN
Isabellah Kagwiria Terah, 2013 eLearning Class, Project Manager,
Kenya “The training was very useful to me, as it gave me required
skills and a better approach to community programmes. I was
promoted to a project manager with Terres des Hommes in their
integrated programmes of WASH and Health and Child Protection,
as my training in DCH gave me an added advantage. I would
recommend anyone working with communities to take this course.”
Victorine Nchioleh, 2014 eLearning Class, Project Assistant,
Cameroon " A diploma in community health was something I looked
forward to doing as it offers the best possible grounding for a
promising career in public health, Amref having a reputation to
produce world class community health workers was thus, the best
choice ever."
Kinyaa Valeria Peter, 2015 eLearning Class, Nurse, South Sudan “I
must admit that I have gained a lot from the course. I learned many
things from the course materials. I found the course interesting.
After finishing term one, and in the middle of term two, our
community was confronted with a Cholera epidemic. It was not easy
but with all the knowledge I acquired from the course, my job
performance in regards to increased effectiveness, efficiency and
professionalism improved tremendously. I was chosen by the
hospital administration after realising that I am student of
Community Health with Amref to work in the cholera wards for a
duration of three months until the outbreak was contained.”
Directorate of Capacity Building
Higher Diploma in Community Health Programme
PO Box 27691 - 00506 Nairobi, Kenya
Land line: +254-20-6993000/ 6993205
E-mail: [email protected]