Pre-PHD Fellowship Vacancy – Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS)

in Biotechnology, Health Care and Nutrition
Full Time
Blantyre
August 2, 2024
Application deadline closed.

Job Description

HEALTH ECONOMICS AND POLICY UNIT (HEPU)

The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) is a comprehensive health and allied sciences higher learning institution established with the primary function of training health workers and conduct health research. The Health Economics and Policy Unit (HEPU) is a unit under the Department of Health Systems and Policy within the School of Global and Public Health (SOGAPH) at KUHeS which was established as a joint venture with the Malawi Ministry of Health. The HEPU in collaboration with the University College London and Kamuzu Central Hospital, with support from Foreign Common Wealth Development Office (FCDO) are implementing Neotree, an open-source digital learning health system (LHS) for postnatal new-born care in Malawi. The HEPU, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will conduct economic evaluation for implementing the Neotree in Malawi. Implementation of the Neotree will The HEPU under the Department of Health Systems and Policy is therefore seeking a bright and enthusiastic graduate with a background in strong quantitative disciplines including health economics, mathematical modelling, epidemiology, statistics and public health, a PhD opportunity aimed at improving child health outcomes.

Background:

Improving peri and postnatal care in low-resource settings could save over 6,000 babies daily. Most of the 2.3 million neonatal deaths and 1.9 million stillbirths annually occur in these settings and are preventable with cost-effective, standard-technology interventions. Solutions include strengthening health systems, through learning healthcare systems (LHS) that embed clinical decision support (CDS) within routine data capture systems, as is increasingly achieved in high-resource settings.

Since 2016, Neotree, an open-source digital LHS for postnatal newborn care, has been developed and piloted in low-resource settings. Neotree integrates CDS with training and real-time data capture to standardise cot side care. These data are then visualised and analysed to provide health trend insights and optimise embedded CDS for all causes of neonatal morbidity. To date, it has supported more than 38,000 babies, used by 1,200 healthcare professionals in Malawi and Zimbabwe, demonstrating high acceptability, feasibility, and potential for cost-effective mortality reductions. A new perinatal Neotree version to integrate maternal and newborn care has been adapted for use in Primary Health Clinics (PHC).

This project aims to:

  1. Refine quantitative measures of impact of improved newborn care in PHCs using the adapted Neotree app.
  2. Model impact and evaluate cost effectiveness of the Neotree implementation in PHCs, including estimates of costs and benefits of provision of high-quality newborn data on care and outcomes.
  3. Translate knowledge effectively to policy makers, practitioners, and the public.

KUHES is therefore accepting applications for a PhD scholarship position from candidates with strong interest in global child health to achieve these aims. The PhD candidate will work closely with investigators in Malawi, Zimbabwe and United Kingdom. The scholarship will be administered by KUHeS and is fully funded for three years by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Neotree Project. Funding provided will include tuition, stipend, research-related costs, and travel expenses. The scholar must successfully apply and be accepted to the KUHeS Postgraduate Office to start in October 2024.

  1. Requirements for the Scholarship:
  2. Master’s degree in quantitative discipline such as Health Economics, Epidemiology, Statistics, Public Health, or an international equivalence qualification with an accredited institution;
  3. Prior Research experience;
  4. Evidence of scientific publications is desirable.
  1. KUHeS PhD application requirements:
  2. Original copies of Transcripts and certified copies of certificates;
  3. Personal statement;
  4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae;
  5. One-paged Research Concept and a Power-point presentation to be made to a panel;
  6. Two letters of recommendation (Academic and Work).

Please submit your application package to KUHeS Registry (recruitment@kuhes.ac.mw) and copy the Health Economics and Policy Unit Administrator (hepuadmin@kuhes.ac.mw).

Applications are due 16th August 2024 at 11:59pm CAT. Late applications will not be accepted.

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