25 health personnel will leave the shores of Sierra Leone on Sunday, 6th September, 2009 to undertake three months training on Health Policy Planning and Management in the School of Public Health, University of Ghana.
The training programme is sponsored by the Africa Development Bank (ADB) with technical support from UNFPA.
The training is part of a project called Strengthening District Health Services (SDHS) which was designed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation with assistance from UNFPA to build the capacity of medical staff at the district level.
The SDHS project seeks to improve health care services in five districts namely; Bo, Kenema, Bonthe, Port Loko and Tonkolili.
The 25 health personnel were selected from the five districts and other areas like Freetown and Pujehun. They include District Medical Officers, Matrons, nurses and other health practitioners.
A farewell ceremony for the 25 departing health personnel was held yesterday at the conference room of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Youyi Building, Freetown.
The Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Mohamed D. Koroma, the Africa Development Bank Representaive, Dr. Samuel Onwona, the UNFPA Representative Mrs.Ratidzai Ndlovu and a host of other dignitaries in the Ministry witnessed the occasion.
Training Coordinator, Prof. Yaw Adu- Gyamfi introduced the health personnel to the officials. He said the health officers are going to Ghana to broaden their knowledge in planning and management of health policy and hoped that they will go in good faith with the hope of returning back to Sierra Leone to contribute to the health system in the country.
Addressing the personnel the Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Mohamed D.Koroma said the Government has done its best by providing the opportunity for health practitioners to improve on their knowledge. He thanked ADB and UNFPA for providing the necessary support to the Ministry.
He advised the personnel not to forget their country and since they are now going as ambassadors to put the flag of Sierra Leone high in the Ghanaian University.
By William Freeman
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