The African Paediatric Fellowship Programme (APFP) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health builds Africa’s capacity to deliver high-quality child health services. The programme trains paediatric healthcare professionals who return to their home countries to strengthen local paediatric care, education, and leadership.
Through strong partnerships with university teaching hospitals across Africa, fellows are carefully selected, mentored, and supported to reintegrate into their home institutions. Collaborative training, academic exchange visits, and shared learning across ELMA-funded partner universities (UKZN, UCT, and Wits) promote continuous professional development and capacity building.
With a 95% graduate retention rate, the APFP is creating a sustainable network of paediatric specialists who are transforming child health systems across the continent. By expanding training capacity and fostering collaboration, the programme strengthens in-country expertise and ensures lasting impact on child survival and wellbeing in Africa.
Prof. Refiloe Masekela
Dr. L Mubaiwa
Department of Paediatrics & Child Health
School of Clinical Medicine, UKZN
1 August 2017 - 31 December 2019
ELMA Philanthropies
University of Cape Town
University of Wits
ELMA Foundation
Capacity building
Paediatric specialists
Africa
