Project News

While the first training of health worker of major hospitals in Greater Accra Region was conducted in March 2020, the second batch was postponed till October 2020 due to the COVID-19. This was the first training conducted by GHS Counterparts, Project National Staff with the support of JICA Ghana Office. During the period of the training, the Project National Staff were sending pictures, videos and messages to Japanese experts in Japan to update them on the progress of the training.

This batch of health worker training was held at Erata Hotel in the Greater Accra Region from 19th to 22nd October, 2020. The training was the first health worker training held for four days after the training schedule was revised. (See the article on ‘Revision of health worker training materials') It was a residential training for thirty-one participants who were all midwives and four regional facilitators with the support of National facilitators and the Project National Staff.

All participants adhered to GHS protocol such as wearing masks, washing their hands before entering the training venue and hand-sanitizing every time. As a part of the COVID-19 protocols PPE's such as facemask, gun thermometer and sanitizers were purchased specifically for the training. Hand sanitizers were put on the tables for participants and facilitators, and also at the entrance of the venue apart from the veronica bucket which was placed at the entrance of the venue. Foods were packed in take away bowls for participants.

All the participants actively participated in the group work and roll-plays in the training. The field practice was done internally at the training venue instead of health facilities due to issues of COVID-19. The participants practiced with themselves and some baby dolls. Some of the exercises done during the field practices were dear mother, recording, measurement, plotting and counseling skills. As the contents of nutrition counseling and respectful care were new to the participants, a national facilitator spent time on it for the participants to understand fully.

The 4-day training curriculum was better than three day as the facilitators ample time to explain all the various contents of the training to participants and the participants also had time to ask all the questions they wanted to ask. Also, the training closed earlier than when it was held for 3 days, which also helped participants to have enough rest and prepare for the next day and also had time for their assignments. At the end of the training, the participants were happy with the knowledge they have acquired, especially on the nutrition counseling and respectful care and also the anthropometric measurements and calculations since all participants were midwives.

The Project team are so happy and grateful for the teamwork of the GHS, Project National Staff and JICA Ghana Office to realize the practical skill training under the difficult situation. The Japanese experts were all impressed by the ownership and responsibility that the National staff shared with us to conduct the training by themselves.

Regional facilitator

National Facilitator

Group picture

Participants in a role play session

Measurement practice

Measurement practice

Counseling practice

Lunch packed in take away bowls for the participants