By Agbonlahor Felicia
In line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s MEGA Agenda, the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has organized a 5-day capacity building training for health personnel across the local government areas to render quality healthcare services within the State.
The training took place at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) and the participants were taken through various training modules.
The training was declared open by the Governor, who was represented by the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq.
In his opening address, Obaseki reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services for Edo people irrespective of their social status, as all Edo citizens are eligible for efficient and quality healthcare services.
Speaking at the training, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, admonished participants to harness potentials from the training and be more professional in the discharge of their duties as they report back at their respective PHCs.
The Commissioner affirmed that the State government has put in so much in making sure that PHCs across the State are upgraded to standard with professionals who are skillful, hence the competency training.
Giving the opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen, emphasized that the objective of the training was to upscale the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours required for high performance to effectively contribute to the success of Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency in achieving its vision and aspirations.
Dr Izedonmwen added that at the end of the training, participants would be able to understand better organizational skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for high performance; as well as their financial management skills and abilities for effective management of financial resources for greater organizational success.
The Executive Secretary thereafter unveiled the Edo Starter Pack which contains basic post-delivery items.
According to him, the pack would be given free of charge to mothers who give birth at the Edo PHCs as a way to encourage them to patronize the facilities.
Participants were taken through various training modules which include; The Edo State Public Service Rules and Regulations, Personal and Professional Effectiveness, Computer Appreciation and the use of ECLAT and Branding.
Others were Competency-based training on Public Health, Competency-based training for Medical Officers, Health Safety and Environment, Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nurses and Midwives, Medical Laboratory Scientist and Laboratory Technology, Medical Record Officers, Community Health Extension Workers and the Agency’s Administrative and PRS staff.
Some of the facilitators who took the participants through various courses include Prof. Antoinette Ofili (Consultant Community Physician/Prof. Public Health and Community Medicine, UBTH); Prof. Alphonsus Isara (Community Medicine and Public Health UNIBEN); Dr Olumuyiwa Oluday (Principal Consultant, Leadgate Consultancy); Mrs Bose Igbinobaro (PS Deputy Governor’s Office); Mrs Cordelia Irobomelu Ezimokhai (Principal, School of Community Health UBTH) and Dr Rock Amegor (EDOHIS) amongst others.
In the course of the training, participants were taught to treat patients with respect, as their self-esteem could improve when they are treated with respect.
Speaking to journalists, Mrs Margaret Ekiuwa, who was one of the participants, said that the training aims to broaden the knowledge of health workers to be more effective in the discharge of their duties.
She added that her take home from the training is to increase the quality of care she renders as a health worker and to bridge the inequality gap, stressing that both the rich and the poor deserve quality health care services.
The climax of the training was the practical session where participants were split into groups for competency evaluation to test the level of understanding and capability of participants.
