By. Nsor Paul mensah. 20th July 2022
Community Practice Pharmacists Association of Ghana (CPPA) in collaboration with Total Family Health Organization (TFHO) and Ghana Health Service funded by USAID has trained 400 Pharmacists as COVID-19 vaccine educators in Ashanti, Central, and Greater Accra regions.
For a start, 28 pharmacists were invited from all CPPA regional branches in the country including members of the Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) for the Training of Trainers (TOT) program held at the Tomreik Hotel in Accra from 21st to 24th June 2022 .They were trained as facilitators to train up to 400 Pharmacists who will carry out the education campaign in the various schools from July to September 2022.
The Executive Director of TFHO Mr. Joseph Addo-Yobo mentioned that, the collaboration shall deploy the trained Pharmacists to assigned tertiary and second cycle institutions, within their regions, to conduct COVID-19 Interpersonal Communication (IPC) sessions to address vaccine hesitancy and promote uptake of COVID -19 vaccines. It is targeted at educating about 500,000 students.
He encouraged CPPA members to disseminate COVID-19 vaccine information and promotional materials within their regions and provide monthly activity reports using the format prescribed by TFHO.
Over 400 Pharmacists signed on for the cascading training which took place in the 3 regions on 5th & 6th July 2022 at the True Vine Hotel - Ashanti Region, 6th & 7th July 2022 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel – Accra, and 7th July 2022 at the Samrit Hotel in the Central Region.
The training, facilitated by Pharm Dr. Vera Asante, and Pharm. Dr. Janet Aidoo, covered topics such as Understanding COVID-19 vaccines (Development and benefits), Understanding COVID-19 vaccines (Efficacy and Side Effects), Myths, Misconceptions & FAQs and Role of Educators and expected results/reporting.
Mr. Oluwole Kwabena Adeusi, a communications consultant, took participants through the use of Interpersonal Communication (IPC) in COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The National Chairman of CPPA Pharm. Dr. Emmanuel Kwaku Ireland informed participants that led by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), 2 position papers were presented to the Minister for Health.
Following that, CPPA was involved in the committee set up by the Minister for Health to develop a guidelines and SOPs for Covid-19 Antigen Testing by Community Pharmacists in Ghana. And to also provide guidelines for vaccination against COVID-19 and other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Community Pharmacies.
All these are waiting to be approved by the Minister of Health Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.
Officials from FDA were present at all training sites to educate participants on Advense Events Following Immunizations (AEFIs) and contributed to discussions on myths and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Covid-19 vaccines.
The Cascade training session held in the Greater Accra region was also graced with the presence of the PSGH Greater Accra Regional chairman, Pharm. Stephen Bonah. In his remarks, he re-emphasized that, the aim of this project as, to equip the pharmacist with the right knowledge on the different types of Covid-19 vaccines approved for use in Ghana.
He urged participants to take the training seriously as this will help us to be strategically positioned to address all myths and misconceptions about Covid-19 vaccines.
In her address at the Sumrit Hotel in the Central Region, Pharm. Abena Esia-Donkoh, Chairperson of the Central Regional branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) advised participants that ‘it is our mandate and professional responsibility to ensure that the populace are well informed about the covid-19 vaccines and the need or importance of vaccination’.
She urged all to take the training seriously in order to reach the masses with the right information and that, this will help clear the doubts and myths about Covid-19 infection, vaccines and vaccination.
Dr. (Mrs.) Vera Asante is the team lead for the CPPA/TFHO project assisted by Pharm. Dr. (Mrs.) Pauline Badu-Bonsu and Pharm. (Mrs.) Priscilla Asareduah Kwofie. Pharm. Dr. Samuel Nkansah is a consultant for the Project.
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