Health professions education in Africa has long faced systemic challenges - from limited resources and outdated curricula to a shortage of trained educators. These barriers have affected how well graduates are equipped to meet the health needs of their communities and patients. 

To address these gaps, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners led a rigorous, inclusive process to design and develop competency-based curricula that align with the realities of African health systems. 

As part of this process, 25 experts from 12 African countries gathered in Kintele, Congo, from 7–9 October 2025, to validate the final drafts of these landmark curricula.  

We’re proud that Prof Minette Coetzee was invited to join the group of 25 experts from 12 to contribute her expertise to the finalisation of a new specialist paediatric nursing curriculum for Africa. The validated curricula will be officially launched in November 2025 by the WHO Regional Director for Africa. 

Conversations with colleagues in Brazzaville also served to highlight the extent of the Units contribution to building capacity among children’s nurses, nurse educators and leaders and this significant contribution to strengthening Africa’s children’s nursing workforce.  We are excited to continue to work alongside the WHHO Africa Health Workforce Team  

What an amazing moment of recognition of longstanding work for Prof Minette Coetzee and CNDU to be part of this important work of strengthening paediatric nursing workforce with education across Africa. 

Read more about this milestone on the WHO Africa website: 
🔗 WHO Africa advances health professions education with prototype competency-based curricula