Colleges

Vision

To be a leading regional provider of high-quality specialist health training, professional development, research and learning in East, Central and Southern Africa and beyond.

Mission

To promote excellence in specialist health training, professional practice, research and service delivery through coordinated programmes implemented by the constituent professional colleges across the ECSA region.

Specialist Training and Professional Development

ECSA-CHS supports the development and implementation of harmonised specialist training programmes leading to recognised and registrable professional qualifications.

It promotes competency-based and workplace-based education, fellowship training, continuing professional development and lifelong learning for health professionals.

Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

ECSA-CHS promotes research that responds to regional health priorities and supports evidence-informed healthcare policy and practice.

It encourages research by individual colleges, multidisciplinary collaboration, multicountry studies, innovation and the sharing of knowledge among health professionals and institutions.

Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships

ECSA-CHS coordinates the activities of its constituent colleges and promotes collaboration with governments, universities, teaching hospitals, professional councils, regulatory authorities, development partners and other stakeholders.

These partnerships strengthen specialist education, accreditation, professional practice, resource mobilisation and institutional sustainability.

Quality Assurance and Harmonisation

ECSA-CHS promotes common regional standards for specialist training, examinations, accreditation, certification and professional practice.

It supports the recognition of specialist qualifications across participating countries and strengthens the quality of training delivered through the constituent colleges.

Improved Access to Specialist Healthcare

ECSA-CHS supports innovative approaches to the delivery of specialist and subspecialist healthcare.

By expanding regional training opportunities, the College helps Member States increase the number and improve the distribution of specialists, reduce external referrals and strengthen national health systems.

The objectives of ECSA-CHS are to:

1. Establish and maintain regional standards for specialist health training, examinations and professional practice.
2. Develop harmonised specialist training programmes leading to qualifications recognised by education and professional regulatory authorities.
3. Coordinate and support the accreditation of training programmes, institutions, trainers and clinical training sites.
4. Increase the number of appropriately trained specialist health professionals within ECSA-HC Member States.
5. Promote competency-based, workplace-based and fellowship training that responds to regional health needs.
6. Facilitate continuing professional development and lifelong learning among health professionals.
7. Support the recognition and registration of graduates to practise as specialists in participating countries.
8. Promote research, innovation, knowledge exchange and the application of evidence in health policy and professional practice.
9. Strengthen collaboration among constituent colleges, governments, universities, teaching hospitals, professional councils and regulatory authorities.
10. Mobilise technical and financial resources for the development and sustainability of ECSA-CHS and its constituent colleges.
11. Improve access to affordable, equitable and high-quality specialist and subspecialist healthcare.
12. Support Member States in addressing shortages and the unequal distribution of specialist health professionals.
13. Contribute to stronger, more resilient and responsive health systems across the ECSA region.

The governance structure of ECSA-CHS comprises the Senate, the Executive Committee and the College Administration.

Senate

The Senate is the principal policy, academic and professional oversight body of ECSA-CHS. It provides strategic direction and oversees the academic, professional and institutional affairs of the College.

The Senate reports to the ECSA Health Ministers Conference through the ECSA-HC Advisory Committee.

Its responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic and policy direction.
• Approving academic and professional standards.
• Overseeing specialist training and examination frameworks.
• Approving policies governing constituent colleges.
• Promoting quality assurance and harmonisation.
• Reviewing institutional performance.
• Promoting coordination among the colleges.

The Senate is supported by standing committees responsible for academic affairs, administrative affairs and financial affairs.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee supports the Senate in implementing approved policies, strategies and decisions.

It provides oversight and guidance on programme implementation, partnerships, resource mobilisation, financial sustainability and coordination of the constituent colleges.

College Administration

The College Administration manages the day-to-day activities of ECSA-CHS.

It is headed by the Registrar, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for:

• Implementing decisions of the Senate and Executive Committee.
• Coordinating the activities of constituent colleges.
• Managing academic, administrative and financial operations.
• Supporting accreditation, training and examination processes.
• Maintaining relationships with Member States, partners and regulatory bodies.
• Mobilising and managing resources.
• Preparing institutional reports.
• Providing secretariat support to the governance structures.