Learning Beyond Borders: PhDFellows Gain Global Insights into Healthcare Systems and Leadership

Strathmore University launched the PhD in Healthcare Management (PhD HCM) to support African residents seeking context-relevant leadership knowledge and competence without leaving the comfort of their home—Africa. However, we see great value in collaborating with and learning from others. This motivated last week’s UK visit for the PhD HCM class. The doctoral fellows enjoyed five enriching days of cultural immersion, networking, academic speed-dating, and learning across key dimensions such as healthcare leadership and management, entrepreneurship and business, and health systems policy and planning.

The first few days focused on understanding UK and EU healthcare policies, their impact on practice, and the research informing reform. Hosted by Prof. Gerry McGivern at King’s Business School (King’s College London), the fellows engaged with Prof. Ian Kessler, Chia-Huei Wu, and Prof. Rene Wiedner to explore topics related to health systems management. Discussions centered on policy lessons between Kenya and the UK, particularly on health workforce and broader systems issues. Guest sessions by UK-based doctoral fellows — Irene Khayoni (LSHTM), Yingxi Zhao (Oxford), Elvin Irihamye (Oxford), and post-doctoral researcher Stephanie Nzekwu (Oxford) complemented the professors’ sessions, offering more profound insights into the PhD research journey, methods, and experiences.

The sessions also included a fishbowl panel and a PhD research clinic facilitated by KCL professors. During these, students received valuable feedback on their research proposals and theses and established new relationships with global leaders in the field.

Julie Koumo from the King’s Entrepreneurship Institute led an engaging discussion on managing the healthcare innovation pipeline in the UK and supporting start-ups as they transition into sustainable enterprises. Fellows learned how the Institute connects early-stage businesses to key resources and networks to aid scaling. Lenyalo King and Jacqui Wakefield from King’s Health Partners shared insights on their work improving stroke outcomes through integrated care pathways.

Discussions on healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship continued on the third day at the UCL Global Business School for Health. Dr. Clara explored healthcare entrepreneurship in global health, posing thought-provoking questions about the value chain, the roles of high- and low-income countries, evolving dynamics, and how LMICs can optimise value creation given that most funding has traditionally come from the global north.

We learned that UCL GBSH runs separate doctoral programmes—a PhD in Leadership and a DBA in Healthcare—to provide tailored value: the DBA for industry players and the PhD for those pursuing academic careers. We shared that our Strathmore PhD combines the two, reflecting Africa’s blended professional landscape where one might teach in academia in the morning, advise policymakers in the afternoon, and sit on an industry board by evening. This hybridity makes Strathmore’s faculty and fellows particularly unique.

Dr. Kate led an interactive session on leveraging routine data sources to guide policy and practice. Since trials and intervention research are costly, she demonstrated how optimising routine data can fill critical knowledge gaps. Fellows were introduced to the NHS data architecture and the opportunities it presents.

The fourth day began with the famous London Medical Walk, led by (XYZ). During this walk, fellows explored notable medical breakthroughs across London, from imposing Victorian institutions such as University College Hospital to more recent entrants that continue shaping modern medicine.

The fellows visited Dr. Priya Kumar and her family in the afternoon. They run an innovative, community-focused GP practice in Slough. The doctoral fellows were impressed by the practice’s use of the JHU classification system to screen and categorise community members by risk level, enabling targeted preventive and curative interventions. This model has significantly improved outcomes such as diabetes control and reduced severe disease cases. Established over 40 years ago by Dr. Kumar’s parents — a doctor and nutritionist — the practice remains a cornerstone of community care.

The final day, aptly called “Closing the Loop,” was spent with Dr. Nigel Edwards, an expert in UK and European health systems. He traced the evolution of the NHS, highlighting successes, shortcomings, and the interplay between policy, politics, and priority setting that continues to influence its design and delivery. It was an exceptionally enlightening session.

Friday afternoon was dedicated to exploring the UK and bonding as a team. The fellows enjoyed a River Thames cruise, learning about Britain’s rich history through its wharfs, bridges, tunnels, and Victorian architecture. The group was particularly intrigued to know that the Waterloo Bridge, built by women during wartime, remains the only bridge completed on time and under budget — a testament to precision and resilience. The trip concluded with a visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), followed by a scenic bus tour through the City of London and the City of Westminster.

The PHD in Healthcare Management Programme is designed to cultivate visionary leaders in Africa’s health sector who combine rigorous scholarship with real-world impact. The programme emphasizes context-relevant training across health policy, systems planning, leadership, management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It bridges the traditional boundaries between academia, policy, and industry, preparing fellows to navigate hybrid roles that span teaching, strategic health system management, and advisory capacities. By leveraging global best practices alongside local insights, the programme equips students with the skills to lead reform, design systems improvements, conduct policy-informed research, and drive sustainable innovations that address Africa’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

The 2026 intake is ongoing. Learn more here

Article by Prof. Frank Wafula and Juliet Hinga