The Advanced Healthcare Management Programme (AHMP): A Holistic Approach to Health Leadership in Africa

Between 4th and 8th May 2026, we hosted the 2026 Cohort of the Advanced Healthcare Management Programme (AHMP) for their first module. This module brought together healthcare leaders and professionals for an intensive week of learning, reflection, and dialogue centered on the theme “Health Systems: A Holistic Approach.”

Prof. Khama Rogo anchored the first day with two sessions exploring the foundations of African healthcare leadership, examining the complexities of global health systems within the African context, drawing lessons from successful interventions, and unpacking the politics, strategy, and policy-making dynamics shaping health systems across the continent.

Day one culminated in a powerful Fireside Chat titled “Global, Regional, and National Health Politics, Strategy, and Policy Making in Africa.” Moderated by Dr. Njeri Gitau, the conversation featured Prof. Khama Rogo and Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, who exchanged bold, visionary insights that set a compelling tone for the rest of the week. Three themes emerged strongly from this session:

• Health is fundamentally an investment requiring long-term commitment, priority-setting, and visionary leadership
• Trust and integrity, not policies alone, are the true foundations of functional healthcare systems
• Africa must shed its inferiority complex and embrace transformational leadership. Prof. Rogo issued a rallying call to participants: “If all efforts elsewhere fail, return home; this is where you can make your mark.”

The session challenged healthcare leaders to make bold decisions, align their strategies, and commit to delivering impactful results across the continent.

Tuesday’s sessions, led by Dr. Joy Mugambi, delved deeper into the gendered dimensions of healthcare, interrogating disparities in service consumption, provision, and access. Dr. Njeri Gitau then guided participants through an exploration of global health architecture, tracing the evolution from classical multilateralism toward a new public health order and the growing emphasis on African sovereignty in health decision-making.

Ambassador Jean Kimani took over on day three, focusing on health diplomacy, walking participants through the nuts and bolts of diplomacy before leading a hands-on simulation exercise on resolutions and protocols. The day also featured a guest speaker session with Gerald Macharia of CHAI, who shared lived experiences navigating health diplomacy in practice, grounding theoretical concepts in real-world application.

Day four and five focused on Transformative Leadership and Coaching with Dr. Joan Gitahi and Thrity Engineer, respectively. The Programme culminated in an experiential industry visit to the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the participants got the opportunity to understand the workings of the hospital.

The Advanced Healthcare Management Programme is designed for African healthcare leaders navigating the complex and ever-evolving landscape of health systems. Recognizing that effective healthcare leadership demands more than clinical expertise, the program equips participants with practical frameworks, strategic tools, and leadership skills needed to drive meaningful change, from redesigning organizational structures to implementing innovative processes and bold leadership strategies. At its core, the AHMP prepares healthcare professionals to lead with vision, resilience, and impact amid Africa’s most pressing health system challenges. Learn more about this Programme ici

Article by Juliet Hinga & Miriam Wafula