By Nnedinma Okeke :
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), State Ministry of Health (SMOH), and World Health Organisation (WHO) has commenced a 5-day State Training of Trainers (STOT) of frontline health workers.
The Trainers Training, which is ongoing at Chicotel Classique Hotel, Awka, was designed by NPHCDA and her collaborating partners with its goal to prepare instructors for presentation of information, effective respond to participants questions and lead activities that reinforce learning at the facility level training.
Other goals include to build a pool of competent instructors for training of frontline health workers on integrated PHC service delivery, who are capable of leading discussions, listen effectively, make accurate observations, support and direct participants, as well as learn positive training attitudes.
The STOT objectives aimed to be achieved by the end of this training includes; participants to be able to apply the following: current practices in delivering a training on a selected evidence-based program, and proven facilitative skills to promote learner engagement, reflective practice, critical thinking and skill acquisition.
Also, mastery in delivering key training strategies commonly used such as, brainstorming, processing/ process checks, role-plays, and practice sessions; evaluate their peers and also receive feedback from them during class, and create post-training evaluation.
The Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike in his keynote address explained that the training was in the right direction which was geared toward strengthening the healthcare system, ensuring that the referral system was strengthened with the right resources working at healthcare facilities.
He urged the participants to pay rapt attention to the teachings and ask questions where necessary.
Pharm Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, urged for all participants attentiveness to the teachings with active participation to the training for its aim to be achieved and desired result realised.
The WHO Anambra State Coordinator, Dr Bonos Mohammed and NPHCDA Anambra State Coordinator, Mr Obioha Agbakwuru in their respective messages noted that the training was so for the frontline healthcare workers to have the right knowledge and competence to work in their various Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
The training, which is funded by NPHCDA through Gavi in collaboration with WHO, targets 120,000 healthcare workers in the country and over 2,000 healthcare workers in Anambra State, resolved to make PHC service delivery effective and result oriented.
The training which would be stepped down in the 21 LGAs of the State has in attendance Director Disease Control and Immunization, ASPHCDA, Dr, Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi, ASPHCDA and SMOH teams.
Also, National Facilitators/Supervisors to include- Dr Joy Ufere, Mr Obioha Agbakwuru, Mrs Onwuka Edith, Dr Peter Wuya, Dr Emmaunel Nwankwo, Mrs Vivian Uche Anebonam, Dr Charles Nelson, and Mrs Ifeoma Amechi- Ezeaneche.
Others includes: Partners- WHO, NPHCDA, SYDANI Group, FHI360, AHNI and 104 participants which includes: Master Trainers, State/21 LGAs Nutrition Focal Persons, State/21 LGAs Reproductive Health Focal Persons, State/21 LGAs Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme Officers.
*Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
