Newsletter #11

Editorial What a time to be alive!

Very pleased to welcome you to issue 11, third and last of mandate 2017/2018.

This issue is focusing on amazing team of mandate from subcommittee to Regional working group. We have as well a section which details association commendable activates. Last and certainly not least part to not miss is commentaries, where members penned down their ideas on various health related topics worth reading and sharing.

Enjoy reading!

Fabrice HUMURA IPSF AfRO Immediate Past Media and Publications Officer 2017/18.

It was a pleasure collaborating with my predecessor Fabrice on this first newsletter of my tenure 2018/2019.

Peris Thuo IPSF AfRO Media and Publications Officer 2018/2019.

Credits Editors Editor in Chief: Peris Thuo Designs and layout: Thierry NAYITURIKI

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International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation African Regional Office

Contents •

Stories from Subcommittee members

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Regional Working group 2017/2018

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Association activities

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Commentaries

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Who are we?

Since establishment in 1949, IPSF now represents over 350 000 pharmaceutical Students and recent graduates in over 80 countries worldwide. IPSF is the leading advocacy organization of pharmacy student’s organization of pharmacy students promoting improved public health through provision of information, education, networking and a range of publication and professional activities.

IPSF AfRO IPSF AfRO was established in the 54th IPSF world congress held in cluj-Napoca, Romania in August 2008 when its establishment was voted in as way of tackling the importance of decentralization IPSF work into regions. The region is currently expanding for a total of 19 member associations and 8 full members in 2016/2017 to a total of 19 member associations and 11 full members in 2017/2018.

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Stories from Subcommittee members Media and Publications Subcommittee Bakani Mark Ncube Being on this Sub-Committee has been a great learning experience for me and something I was keen to do after having spent the previous mandate regularly submitting blog posts to Kent. I am truly grateful to the amazing team that I had and to our boss, Fabrice, for having allowed me carte blanche to implement my ideas and transform them from thoughts stuck in my brain to tangible results such as AfRO’s first Newsletter on SEP. I encourage you to take part in the Media & Publications for the region, it is where all the magic happens. “Viva la pharmacie”

Peris Wambui Thuo It has been a wonderful experience working in the media and publications subcomitee. Fabrice mentored me and showed me how to moderate twitter chats. Together, we were able to grow our social media following. As the incoming RMPO, I want to promise AfRO that all our member associations will feel at home both on our website and social media.

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Kamau Luciah Wanjiku I have been privileged to work in the media and publications subcommittee ,where I have worked with an astounding team. I have definitely been challanged and from this experiences have arises great lessons and insights.

It has been a great Journey and year. Viva la pharmacy

Jongbo Olubukola Oluwatosin Tenure message: working with the media and publications team was a sweet experience. I got to mingle with others from other countries as well as a broaden my mind space. Cheers to future working relationships

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Regional Relations Subcommittee

Diallo Karamba I would like to thank the team RRO that I worked with, starting by the President. RRO committee allowed me to involve myself in IPSF. And I found the work clean, complementary and transversal. I believe once the information in region will be translated in both English and French, It will allow the French-speaking country to get more involved. It’s a pleasure to be of the team and I wish AfRO to have more success

Okoya Funmbi Tofunmi The 2017/2018 mandate has been memorable with a lot of high points and achieved targets. It has been a great pleasure working with the other members of the Regional Subcommittee ably led by Othniel Nimbabazi as well as the Regional Working Group (RWG), all the Contact Persons, Student Exchange Officers and the region at large to manage the internal and external relations of the region.�

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Purity Wambui Working for the Regional Relations committee for two consecutive mandates has been one of the most fulfilling engagements of my life. It has fuelled my passion for IPSF more than ever and the desire to see the African Regional Office grow is something I hold close to my heart.

Yes, we are a young region but the potential we have within us, to become and do better as far as driving the health agenda is concerned, is far beyond our imagination. I look forward to having more African countries coming on board because I wouldn’t want any Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical science student missing out on the many opportunities that are presented by IPSF to us. More so, I look forward to the day when every student from member countries will be walking and talking IPSF, seizing that which is right under their nose and not thinking IPSF is for the select few. Be present. Be proactive.

Viva la Pharmacie! Viva la AfRO!

Gamelihle Mpofu I am Gamelihle Mpofu, a pre registration pharmacist from Zimbabwe. My journey with IPSF began in 2016 when I was the president of ZPSA and part of the reception committee for 62nd IPSF World Congress and from that moment on, my heart has been set on furthering the goals of AfRO and that of the Federation. Still engulfed with the IPSF spirit from the WC I applied for Regional Relations subcommittee under the tutorage of the then RRO,Nomagugu Ncube, a fellow Zimbo and someone I looked up to immensely. It was here where I got to get my first taste of AfRO and the work that needs to be done to make our presence felt within the Federation.

I attended the AfPS in Ghana in 2017 and met

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amazing, driven individuals and made friends for life.

Networking and communication is one of my passions alongside travelling and learning different cultures so I guess you can imagine my excitement. Shortly after the AfPS I attended the World Congress in Taipei Taiwan and revelled in all the different cultures the world has to offer. My second stint at the Regional Relations Office brought with it new opportunities and challenges. Most of the RRO subcommittee re applied to join the subcommittee bringing their experiences from the previous year to better serve Afro. Tasked with the difficult job of ensuring increased networking and participation within AfRO, led by the newly appointed Chairperson of AfRO ,Othniel, we set out to iron out the creases from the previous years and set new goals of our own. On a more personal note, it has been an amazing experience being part of this ALLSTAR team and all the amazing CPs and President’s in AfRO. Hope to see you in Uganda and Rwanda next year for 8th AfPS and 65th World congress respectively. It is primed to be a good year for AFRO and I will not miss it for the world.

Esther Mary Massaquoi I applied for the Regional Relations Office Subcommittee very late, the last call in fact. I had no knowledge of IPSF and it’s activities, but I always love doing my little to help any where I am. Working in the RRO Subcommittee was amazing, I learnt a lot. It helped me know a lot of people, taught me a lot about IPSF and AfRO. It increases my social media participation and involvement. I was in charge of events promotion; which included reposting all posts of IPSF and AfRO events to all the available social media outlets. This kept me on my toes and taught me how to transfer information from one social media forum to another. I also had the opportunity to chat with CPs and SEOs some of which are my best of friends now. I had the opportunity to work with the best subcommittee members ever. They were always willing to help, work, teach and learn. I’m happy I applied I’m grateful if was selected. Viva la pharmacy.

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Maro Stephen Kebwe My name is Maro Stephen Kebwe from TAPSA, Tanzania. It has been a wonderful and successful experience in the RRO subcommittee since I joined in August 2017 to date. The feeling I had influenced me to want to join the RRO subcommittee so as I can get much closer to IPSF activities and also make it easy for me to share the feeling with other Pharmacy students in Africa who know about IPSF and those who know nothing about IPSF. Working as Student Exchange promoter with the SEOs was challenging when it came to contact with SEOs who speak French and responsiveness of some SEOs but otherwise there were no any other challenges. I hope the coming RRO subcommittee Team will improve in other ways of promoting IPSF-AfRO to the Pharmacy students who do not know or know little about IPSF and increase their participation in IPSF activities such as SEP, AfPS and WC. We are united through a bond called PHARMACY

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Translation subcommittee

Idara Udodok This mandate I must say hasn’t been without hitches, however I would like to commend the executives and working group for their effort at making AfRO better than we met it. .

Cheers to greater accomplishments ahead.

Viva la pharmacie

Christ Kossivi It is a great experience to serve as a translation subcommittee member. First because it gave me the opportunity to improve my bilingual skills. It also helped me being updated on information in IPSF in general and AfRO in particular.

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Regional Project Office

Sylvester Adeyemi Projects subcommittee was more integrated with AfRO team during 2017-2018 mandate, we had smooth communication with CPs who wanted to host IPSF events especially professional development events. Other notable successes were online AfRO Team trainings, essay competition, online public health awareness and Interregional collaboration with EMRO on HIV/AIDs campaign. Finally, it gave me a sense of fulfillment bonding with the team members and making long lasting friendships.�

Ishmael Ivan Tamba Jalloh I want to express my gratitude to IPSF AfRO RWG for giving me the opportunity to serve in the Regional Project Subcommitee. Working in the comitee was a learning process as it gives me the opportunity to work with members from other associations and also the EMRO region. As members of the comitee we were able to implement projects in the region that were of great sucess. Thanks to our boss Mgambi and all of our team members who worked relentlessly during the madate; Sylvester, Mercy, Judith, Elton, Eric, Tinashe it was a great pleasure working with you all.

Viva La Pharmacie.

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Judith Edem Foli Being a part of the Regional Projects Office subcommittee has been a great learning experience because it has afforded me the opportunity to work with people from different countries to organize events and make amazing plans. I have learnt the value of meeting deadlines and making the impossible possible and I am glad I was part of this awesome team.

Tinashe Travis Muradya.

My experience with IPSF is one which I will always remember although it was not easy. It was my first time to be in an international committee. There are times were we let each other down but the good part, our boss Mgambi did a good job to make sure we blend as a team. Again meeting our goals was difficult especially when it came to projects but through arguments, fights and threats lol it all worked out for the best.

I could have done more on my part but the experience I had was awesome I absolutely enjoyed every part. I hope the current team will try to incorporate health issues affecting all parts of Africa and also contribute when asked to.

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Erick Venant Hello everyone, I am Erick Venant a fourth year student from St. Johns University of Tanzania. Serving IPSF Afro as the member of regional project subcommittee was a great experience, I was excited to work with a team from different African countries. My passion is on public health so the regional project office gave me a chance to participate directly in various public health projects done by IPSF Afro for the year 2017-2018.Serving the IPSF Afro subcommittee and being TAPSA president at the same year(2017-2018) was a great challenge and of course a nice opportunity to reveal the contribution young people can have to improve health sector. I believe pharmaceutical students and all health care students have a great role in promoting public health and bring a positive change in the health sector. Youths should be encouraged and supported to come out with innovative solutions for different health challenges in Africa and at global level as they can.Young people are driving force towards achieving universal health coverage ! Thanks everyone across the region who we have been working together and cooperating in different ways to improve pharmacy profession and health sector at large. Thanks to all team members at the IPSF Afro regional subcommittee.

Asante IPSF Afro ,Viva la Pharmacie.

Olunu Adeoluwa The 2017/2018 mandate has been an eventful and interesting one. Its been a pleasure working with everyone in one way or the other to achieve the regions set goals. Cheers to a bigger IPSF AfRO.

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Regional Working group 2017/2018 Jacob Enchil,

IPSF AfRO Chairperson Hello all, once again Regional Office brings to you another newsletter. This is go climax mandate’s work and facilitate the transition into the next mandate. The outgoing RWG has created a strong foundation for the incoming RWG to propel the region into greater heights.

We were able to achieve a lot as a team and as chairperson of the regional office, it was an honour to head the IPSF AfRO Team 2017/18. I have some memories at least to keep with me and some experiences that will help me in the future. On this note I say farewell and wish the incoming RWG a successful mandate and continue the good works they came to meet.

Viva La Pharmacie Viva IPSF Viva IPSF-AfRO

Othniel Nimbabazi,

Regional Relations Officer One year in the IPSF AfRO Regional Working Group leaves me with precious that I would never get in anyway, It was a great learning opportunity from the people I worked with in the RWG, RRO Subcommittee, CPs, SEOs, Internal and External Committee helped me explore new potentials, learn new skills, have intercultural exchange and explore more the federation and opportunities it gives to students and recent graduates around the globe.

I am happy for achievements we had during this mandate in the Regional Relations Office, new countries informed about IPSF, active SEOs and CPs, new partners we approached and reach the MoU signing stage among all

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credits go to the energetic subcommittee and collaborative RWG I worked with.

Thank you to everyone who made this happen my teammates, predecessors and the whole IPSF members and I wish success my successor Ms. Purity Wambui and wish to achieve more than I did to have AfRO growing and impacting more students and recent graduates and the profession at large.

Alliance Ishimwe, Secretary

I took up my mandate middle way and I had a lot to learn and to grab in a little moment so as to serve well; it was so much work and I sometimes thought I wouldn’t make it. But I had a very wonderful team, they were so supportive and above all I had miss Felicity Karimi Thuba walking me every day through the secretariat duties and helping me out. It later on became fun to do actually. Serving the region is never a waste of time, I learnt a lot in these few months and I am forever grateful for the friends, the connections and the bonds I have made through my mandate and grateful that I was given the opportunity to serve the region, I will miss my team a lot.

God bless you all.

Mgambi Gideon Gamba, Regional Project Officer

Personally the mandate has been a success to me. I learned a lot from collaboration with RWG and subcommittee of which I am so much thankful of. I also wish to recognize members of AfRO who showed unwavering support in all publica health campaigns did and webinars, It could not have been possible without AfRO members.

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Akudo Alli,

7th IPSF AfPS Chairperson

7th AfPS went beyond my expectations. From a tireless and effort consuming days finally along with my team we birthed an amazing event. I wish to thank participants and AfRO members in general for ideas and courage showed to me personally and my reception committee.

Fabrice HUMURA,

Media and Publications Officer.

This mandate birthed unprecedented platform known as “Tweeter chat� I hope members enjoyed from it and will keep be a source of knowledge. Generally it has been an interesting journey full of lessons to learn and networking to make. I thank a lot my talented subcommittee who always enjoyed bringing innovations and displaying hardworking spirit in whatever they delivered.

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Associations Activities ZIMBABWE HOSTS ITS FIRST WHITE COAT CEREMONY

By Schneider Zuidema Kadiki, ZPSA Student Exchange Officer 2017/18

The ZPSA ExCo 2017/18

On the fourth of September 2017, the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students Association (ZPSA) hosted the first ever White Coat Ceremony in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. This momentous occasion took place at Parirenyatwa General Hospital in Harare for the students in their first year from both the schools of pharmacy, that is the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) and University of Zimbabwe (UZ).

The White Coat Ceremony is a ritual in some pharmacy schools that signifies a student’s transition into the profession, and during this event, the aforementioned student is required to swear an oath that they will abide by the rules and regulations of their craft with the utmost diligence. Beyond that, the event is intended to bring together the students and practising professionals in order to establish mentorship and friendship.

Some of the revered guests had the opportunity to address the attendants. Professor M Chidzonga, who is the dean of the College of Health Science at UZ, graced the occasion and addressed the students. During his speech, he emphasised the magnitude of the White Coat Ceremony and why it is important for the students to live by the words of the oath. He was also glad that he was addressing students from HIT as well.

The Director of the University of Zimbabwe School of Pharmacy, Professor D Tagwireyi, stood before the eager students and talked at length about the different job opportunities the Pharmacy profession has to offer.

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Mr Gwatidzo, a Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) representative, enlightened the audience on the role of MCAZ in the pharmacy profession, stating how this regulatory board is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring that available medicines are safe, efficacious, and of good quality. He touched on the importance of ethics and character.

Professor Maponga addressed the students from both Schools of Pharmacy and explained the general role of a pharmacist in the modern setting and the branches of pharmacy which include, but are not limited to, retail, research, and regulatory affairs.

When it came to the central event itself, the dignitaries presented the students with a white coat, which is a symbol of clinical service and patient care. The students then recited an oath as a reminder of the profound responsibility of a pharmacist.

Among the honoured guests who came in support of the new pharmacy students included the Mrs Takawira, who is the deputy registrar of UZ; Mr. Gadaga, a lecturer at UZ; P Manyau; Mrs Monera. Representatives from Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) and the official UZ website also documented this ground-breaking event, proving once and for all that ZPSA’s White Coat Ceremony made history.

After all was said and done, the ZPSA President, Mr Tanaka Gutu, went on the record saying, “he had faced many challenges during the preparation of the event but was glad it had been a success.”

Ms. Kudzai Leona Mkhau, the Publications Officer of ZPSA, was one of the Masters of Ceremony and was proud of the event, stating how she “was impressed by the high turn-up despite the hiccups we faced during preparation of the ceremony”. Ms. Audrey Vhovha from HIT was also a Master of Ceremony for the event.

Mr Muvengi, a third year pharmacy student at UZ, appreciated how “the White Coat Ceremony was innovative and well organised”. He found it educational and confessed that it reawakened his passion for pharmacy. He went on to say that he wished such an event had been hosted for him and his colleagues when they were in their first year, because it made him feel welcome to the profession and, more than that, he had a revitalised appreciation for the trade.

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TRAINERS DEVELOPMENT CAMP IN KENYA

By Mr David Odhiambo - outgoing KEPhSA President When the term TDC comes to mind the first things that appear in flashes are the smiley faces, comical friends and the great times we had during the not so long concluded TDC in Kenya. Maybe someone is now feeling a little envious of all this but to be frank, this was one of the few trainings that I have attended in the first quarter of my life that I really enjoyed. It was both educative and at the same time fun; as in when you hear people talk of good learning then be assured this was a prototype if at all it happened to be the first of its kind which unfortunately it wasn’t.

So far I know some are still wondering what this TDC thing is all about; just to clear the air and carry you along in this fantastic trip from Nairobi town in Kenya to Manyika house deep within the coffee plantations in Muranga County in Kenya. TDC refers to Trainers Development Camp which is an initiative of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) where the member associations host trainings for individuals who show leadership qualities and are committed to the excellence of the pharmacy profession. The trainings are tailor made to produce a team of trainers upon graduation with the zeal, enthusiasm and passion to share the gained knowledge under the pool of trainers in IPSF towards professional development docket in the IPSF working groups. Now being you at least comprehend what TDC entails, get your cheeks soothed for the journey is full of fun you better start smiling early.

It’s 5th September 2017, 3:00pm in the late afternoon when I get to Kenya National Archives to join the team of trainees and trainers for the 2nd TDC in Afro Region under IPSF; lucky I am for I can identify the team in the super crowded streets of Nairobi (Nairobi is one of the busiest towns in Africa for your information; and with the greatest human traffic ever recorded) being the reception committee are from my association I am proud to know them. So I get introduced to this new team, the pharmily am to enjoy the company of through the coming week; a diverse team from over the region i.e. Othniel Nimbabazi (Rwanda), Alain Bapolisi (DR Congo), Idara Udodok (Nigeria), Mariam Hamed (Egypt), Manyenye Mwandu (Tanzania), Purity Wambui (Kenya), Luciah Kamau (Kenya), Peris Thuo (Kenya), Isabella Lokuruka (Kenya), Lilian Muthoni (Kenya), Gladys King’ori (Kenya), Kennedy Odokonyero (Uganda) and Mercy Kamya (Uganda).

The trip to Manyika through Thika town is a rather chilled and cool one as we still are not that well versed with one another. We settle in but due to my other personal errands to run am compelled to leave the team as I head back to Juja (where I reside) to join them the next day. It’s a relatively short distance but I can’t stop thinking of the new group of people I’ve come to meet for this event; most of them seem reserved and I have nothing on them to initiate a conversation the next day except for the fact that we are together for the week to be trained. I spent

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the whole evening imagining how the sessions would be, how their interactions would be considering we come from different nations with different practices and cultures. The following day I’m more than ready to get to my new family which is rather an adventure as we are all new to one another and the best we can do is to create connections that would sustain us through the week. On arrival the first person I met was Ms. Idara Udodok from Nigeria; we exchanged greetings casually as I passed by her to our allocated room to check in and put some of my belongings in place. She is a pretty lady to be frank, jovial for a first time meet up but all the same I psych myself up that it’s for the training we need such energy to keep us going. At the start of my sessions is when I got to know that this amazing lady I met who had been so free with me on arrival was going to be my trainer through the period; a thing that is uncommon in the current society and in my upbringing there had to be a gap between the trainer/teacher and the leaner so in an environment where we are under the same roof with same conditions of living was a rather off the mark occurrence but I had to get accustomed to the situation and move on.

The trainings were the quiet entertaining and captivating all through the 5 days we were at Manyika House and when it got to the end we were dragging ourselves to part as we had already created connections and the conditions were optimal. The topics covered during the sessions were; Introduction to Trainers Development Camp, trainers’ attitude, types of learners and learning groups/ sets, stage performance, public narrative, facilitation, debriefing, group dynamics, training design, content development, training delivery, training needs analysis, co-training skills, basis of coaching, follow up and evaluation, training management cycle, and activity management.

The training delivery by the various trainers were captivating through all the sessions with Mr. Othniel Nimbabazi being the master in powerpoint presentations, Ms. Mariam Mohamed an enthusiast of flip charts and Ms. Idara Udodok the queen of sticky notes with modest use of powerpoint presentations. The conclusion of the trainings was conducted through review phase which involved trainees making presentations on various topics using the skills learnt during the sessions.

10th September 2017 was our last day and as African tradition dictates; before releasing guests it beats logic to have great moments that for a matter of fact as a team we did crazy activities that fueled the culmination of our stay together. A sneak preview of the training is as expressed in the pictorials below;

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To my trainers; Ms. Idara Udodok, Ms. Mariam Hamed and Mr. Othniel Nimbabazi, may the good lord take care of you and increase your comprehension for the chance to continue empowering generations to come. Team #PamojaHakunaMatata we did surely part ways into our different lives but in my heart I hold you dear and the memories we created will live to be narrated to my great grandchildren if I ever get to have a generation.

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Breast cancer awareness to young girls in Iringa-Tanzania Erick Venant

At Arusha girls high school in Arusha-Tanzania

‘If our mothers and sisters understand the early symptoms and warning signs of breast cancer it helps in fighting the disease ,early detection is crucial to fighting breast cancer’’!

Every year October is an International month for breast cancer aims to highlight the importance of attending breast screenings n detecting breast cancer as early as possible and increasing the chance of managing and treating the disease .In Breast cancer ,the cells multiply uncontrollably.

Breast cancer awareness to women at Kikuyu area-Dodoma Tanzania

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Tanzania Pharmaceutical Students Association(TAPSA) organized various awareness activities .The pubic health awareness sensitized the importance of early detection. Women and young girls in three regions participated during the awareness sessions. Following cervical cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Tanzania The awareness reached 153 young girls in Arusha-Northen part of Tanzana,350 young girls in Iringa-Southern highlands of Tanzania and 71 women in Dodoma-Central part of Tanzania.Teaching young girls about the breast cancer is very important,familiarizing themselves with the disease and be mindful of their breast health. Just as older women, young girls must understand eating healthy food, exercising, avoiding alcohol and tobacco,and maintaining annual physical exam with a doctor are key ways to reduce the risk for the cancer.

The awareness sessions included how to perform Breast Self Examination which is the valuable tool in diagnosing breast cancer at early stage, we also invited some health experts to join TAPSA breast cancer sessions.Early signs of breast cancer include swelling of all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling ,breast or nipple pain, redness ,thickening of the nipple or breast skin, nipple discharge other than milk, a lump in the breast or armpit Although the special awareness month is over ,there is importance of continued awareness and education. We must take more efforts to join the global efforts and raising awareness of breast cancer and increasing public understanding of the importance of prevention and early detection of the disease.

Kwa pamoja tutaishinda saratani ya matiti!(Together we will beat breast cancer)

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LEADERS IN TRAINING; THE GPSA EXPERIENCE One of the activities of Professional Development Committee is the Leaders in Training Event. The Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association GPSA organized the maiden leaders in training event. The venue for this event was the Faculty of Pharmacy , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology Kumasi,Ghana who hosted Pharmacy students from two Pharmacy schools in Ghana,the University of Health and Allied Sciences,Volta and the Kwame Nkurumah University of Science and Technology. There were 35 students in attendance

Participants of the 2017 GPSA maiden Leaders in training event at the Faculty of Pharmacy,KNUST

Welcome party A welcome party was organized on the evening of 5th November 2017,where participants bonded and made friends with one another, participants also learnt the IPSF song and gave themselves alias names.Partipants also got introduced to their trainers ;Othniel from RPSA Rwanda, Sylvester from PANS Nigeria, Idara Udodok from PANS Nigeria and Muoh Joanne from GPSA Ghana.

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The LIT schedule The LIT was for three days .It started by 9am on Mondays 6th November with an introduction to IPSF by Joahnee (IPSF Trainer). The participants were then split into 2 groups, Groups A and B. Each group moved to their respective training centers where the training began. There were three sessions each day.

LIT DAY 1 The first day, participants were trained on effective communication skills ,emotional intelligence and leadership skills. This was done by IPSF Trainers, Joanne Sylvester, and Othniel. Participants learnt what it means to communicate effectively, the barriers to communication and how to improve on their communication skills with others. They also learnt what it means to have a high emotional intelligence quotient, the different leadership styles while identifying theirs.

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Participants listening attentively on lecture on leadership skills.

Participant answering a question

LIT DAY 2 The second day started with a session on team building by Idara Udodok partipantsx also played various games to reinforce the purpose of building effective teams .The second sessions was taken by Muoh Joanne on group dynamics and partipants were able to differentaiate between teams and groups.the day ended with a session on Personal branding by Adeyemi Slyvester

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Participants listening attentively to session on group dynamics

Game time on team work.

LIT DAY 3 The third day started with sessions on conflict management by Idara Udodok, coaching and mentoring by Muoh Joanne and project management by Slyvester Adeyemi and othniel.

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Participants listening attentively to session on coaching and mentoring.

It all came to a close on the 8th November with the macaerna dance participants had a wonderful time , learning and sharing ideas with one another.A closing ceremony was held where trainers were appreciated for their selfless contribution to the training of leaders in Ghana.

Participants in a Group picture with Trainer Idara Udodok

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Viva La IPSF Viva La IPSFAfRO Viva La GPSA. Written by Olunu Adeoluwa GPSA Committee member Regional Projects

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Commentaries MY TDC Experience

By Ms. Lillian Muthoni - Chairperson Kenyatta University Pharmacy Students Association Having followed the TDC Nigeria on social media networks, I knew I had to be part of the event once it came to Kenya . My application was accepted and as the day came closer I couldn’t wait for this new IPSF experience, I was particularly excited to meet the IPSF icons, reconnect with old friends and pictures make new ones.

The setting of the event could not be more perfect, a quite farm house in the middle of a coffee plantation,detaches from the crazy city life, a beautiful view of the Aberdare forest range and poor internet connection giving room for more personal connection.

It all started on 5th September night with an icebreaker, we were paired up and got to know each other at a personal level.This was followed by intense training on topics such as trainers attitude,group dynamics,presentation skills,debriefing,training needs analysis,training delivery,public narratives,coaching mentoring and follow up here was alot of group work, presenting on finding,use of flip charts,lots of sticky notes and videos for illustration that made it easier to comprehend and relate to the topics. The use of flip charts and Energizer’s in particular stood out for me being a visual person and being able to keep the attention of my audience through out a training session respectively.

The Reception committee went out of its way to ensure we had epic night events.

To begin with, game night was amazing some hidden passion for European and American history and Geographic sites were brought out . International night was amazing its featured Ugandan ground nut sauce, Kenyan Biriani and Rwandise rice and potato dish.The climax was BBQ night with bonfire with the 5AfPS RC rekindling Mombasa manenos memories.

After 5-days the Pamoja Hakuna Matata generation came to life,full of energy and ambition to spread the IPSF spirit through out our respective countries and Afro region as a whole. Personally the TDC was the best IPSF experience yet, worth every dime and it made me better as an individual and as a leader especially my’ people skills’.A number of trainings are already in the books such as Kenyatta and Jomo Kenyatta Universities pharmacy astudents association leaders trainings and KePHSA LIT early 2018.Viva LA pharmacie Because: IPSF found me when I wasn’t looking and somehow, managed to upgade my entire pharmaceutical career as I know it.

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Circa July 2016, I can honestly say only two things really mattered to me.

Months prior to this time, I had gone through different stages in a 5-step rigorous and extremely thorough selction process for a most coveted internship in a federal, ICT and tech oriented parastatal. After gruelling weeks of applications, interviews via poorly rated Skype calls with a complete panel and a power point presentation over the phone with less than desirable network service to boot, all of this, worse still falling during the period of my exams, I recieved the exhilarating news that I had emerged as one of the 5 finalists to be named ‘The Interns’. I was ecstatic and beside myself with joy.

My exams were over just days to the start of July and we were off for the long vacation. I was headed home to my family in Lagos for a few weeks before I made the flight to the nation’s capital. The excitement within me was bubbling over. It had been a long year and I wanted a break far away from Pharmacy. This cool internship I had just snagged represented all I had dreamt of and more.

July also happens to be the month of my birth. And if you know anything about me, it is that I don’t mess with birthday.

Enter Akinola, a student pharmacist at the time who’s currently undergoing his one year mandatory internship program. He, it was, who mentioned the Leaders-In-Training event being held in my school and urged me to come around. I didnt want to go and I made it clear. Still, he persisted and I continued to refuse like we’re wont to do when we try to make the other do whatever it is we think is cool at that particular point in time. He mentioned IPSF and even said the whole name out. While he was able to hold my attention for less than a second, he had it still before we returned to our bickering. Back and forth we went until he mentioned a familiar name and quipped about how the bearer of the name was billed to make the keynote address.

The name he mentioned was Pharm. Seun Omobo’s and even though Akinola didn’t know it then, I was and still am, a huge fan and ardent admirer of her work and achievements.

So, of course, I showed up in school being the professional groupie that I am. Tired after a stressful 3 hour road trip from Lagos back to school in Edo state but still starry-eyed and expectant, I found, to my utter horror, that my rockstar had made her address and... left.

In the midst of my being distraught, Akin helped me realized that Iwas already in school and really had nothing to lose participating in the rest of the event. I am beyond grateful that he chose not to leave me to myself because this was the start of my very eventful journey into IPSF.

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Fast forward to the past 2 months: September saw me establish contact with local PANS chapter presidents and discuss the challenges they faced with IPSF in Nigeria. Through calls and instant messaging, I became aware of the very real and unique problems each president faced. I talked about my plans for expansion to carry every school along and most importantly, inclusion of every PANSite within my proposed plan. Then I cleaned up the manifesto. I watched it morph from week to week to accommodate new Points of Action for specific goals. Once, my deliverables were doubled and then halved the original number before it tripled in one day.

I had a power house too. A think tank that shook up whatever I proposed and provided a testing ground for my ideas to hit the ground before they made contact with the outside world. I’ll admit it -- there were days I was more focused on the aesthetics, they made sure the content was never in doubt. My think tank was an advisory board, a band of cheerleaders, critiques, senior colleagues and more importantly, freinds all rolled into one.

October was the month that brought the month of a feverish pitch and rolling cresendo for my campaign. It was intense which was ultimately destined to end at the polls.

The PANS national convention.

7 days of meeting people and explaining what IPSF meant to me and could potentially mean to them if they allowed it took center stage. Rehashing details of all the feats I had crushed and the personal development I had acquired since becoming actively involved in IPSF not only inspired my audiences but also me, the story teller. I was honest, I told someone how never thought I could coordinate an event that had the US State Department as an extended partner the same way I had dreamed running for any elected office impossible. Yet, I coordinated the event and in that moment was campaigning, soliciting public votes - basically being a politician.

The AGM finally came after what seemed forever and the only thing on my mind was whether to wear my hot red, strappy heels or the shiny black, patent leather pumps.

The way I saw it, if I really connected with the electorate in the way that I thought I did, I was going to look nice as they casted their votes in my favor. Two minutes was all I had to address the delegates before they voted. I’mso glad I went with the red heels, it was symbolic of the red hot fire that was ready to engulf and just waiting for the go-ahead.

Temitope Ben-Ajepe IPSF CP, PANS Nigeria.

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Antimicrobial Resistance Menace in Africa

By Mfonobong Ekpoh, PANS, Nigeria ‘Antimicrobial’ is a broad term used to classify Antibiotics, Antivirals etcetera. The first major antimicrobial discovery (Penicillin) was achieved by Sir Alexander Flemming in 1928. This milestone encouraged development of other antimicrobials which has led to the ability to treat disease conditions that were deadly in the past, making healthcare much easier. However, even though bacterial resistance to antibiotics occurs naturally, abuse of antibiotics could further hasten the process.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can be simply termed the ability of microbes to become unresponsive to antimicrobial treatments due to possesion of certain obstructive characteristics. At the moment, the defences of the microbial army are being strengthen; a stronger army is being prepared and the human world is not moving at the same pace with the microbial kingdom; we are still thinking there is time.Yes, this is a global problem but Africa should not again be found at the bottom of the progress ladder. Despite limited laboratory capacity to monitor AMR, available data suggests that the African Region shares the worldwide trend of increasing drug resistance. Significant resistance has, for example, been reported for díseases such as Cholera, Dysentery, Typhoid, Meningitis, Gonorrhoea, Tuberculosis, Malaria and AIDS. What would be our fate if as at time of enacting the use of new scientific discoveries and medications, the organisms implicated are modified way beyond comprehension?

Furthermore, it’s no doubt that we are faced with challenges such as: Lack of Antimicrobial resistance data; Poor state of laboratories; Lack of comprehensive policies and plan to address AMR; Weak laboratory capacity on AMR testing and reporting; Limited quality assurance and control protocols; Weak regulatory capacity and circulation of sub-standard/counterfeit antimicrobials etc. However, it’s important we let people know that: not every ailment or symptom(s) requires antibiotic usage; non-pharmacological therapies such as drinking lots of fluid, physical activity and healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables does wonders too; completing drug regimen is very beneficial and hand washing is not outdated.

Nevertheless, ensuring the removal of monotherapy malarial treatment from circulation; enacting and reveiwing health policies; organizing more outreaches; utilizing the religious organizations and community leadership more; involement in researches; collaboration with other health professionals; collaboration on Point Prevalence Surveillance (PPS) with further linkage to resitance in the region are few of the ways we can combat this menace.

This topic shouldn’t be just a November issue where we go out to streets and social media walls letting all know that there is something called Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). It should be our daily activity. This is part of the pharmaceutical

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care we practice. AMR is just one of the many challenges of our dear continent, Africa. It can be better than the status quo. We can move up the progress line. We need to synergize and give it our best. Utilize every position and given opportunity to ensure healthy outcomes.

Educate Advocate Serve Spread the word Africa can be better!

References Jean Bosco Ndihokubwayo et al (2013). Antimicrobial Resistance in the African Region:Issues, Challenges and Actions proposed, African Health Monitor (16); 027030

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Life is the blood

By Munyaradzi Arthur Maunge What is blood? On one hand, the Oxford dictionary defines blood as the vital liquid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped through the body by the heart and contains plasma, blood cells, and platelets. On the other hand, the physiology dictionary defines blood as being a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. As noticed from all these definitions blood is a very important component of human life, the magic potion which gives life to another person. Though we have made tremendous discoveries and inventions in science, we are not yet able to make this liquid. Human blood has no substitute and regular blood donations are vital for blood transfusion services.

Before a person donates blood, they should be between 18-55 years of age with a weight above 50kgs and a normal body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure. A questionnaire is also given were you have to declare your medical history, if you have engaged in any sexual activities prior donation and if you are donating blood so that your HIV status is checked. Our human bodies have about 6 litres of blood and of that, only a pint of blood, which is about 350 ml - 450 m,l of blood is taken. The blood is collected in a sterile, pyrogen-free container with anticoagulants and stored very low temperatures (2-6 degrees Celsius) depending on the components prepared. Blood has a shelf life of 42 days. The donated blood undergoes rigorous and various tests like blood grouping, antibody detection and testing for infections like hepatitis, AIDS and syphilis. Before it reaches the recipient, it undergoes compatibility testing with the recipient blood. The withdrawn blood volume is restored within 24 hours and the haemoglobin and cell components are restored in 2 months. Therefore, it is safe to donate blood every three months for men and four months for females.

Over the years there has been a slight increase in blood donations even though there is more to be done to encourage people to donate. National Blood Services of Zimbabwe has been having challenges in luring adults to donate blood due to fear of knowing their HIV status, a situation that has compromised its collection (Mvere, 2013). Most blood donations come from high school students whilst some religions do not allow the donation and use of human blood for any purpose whatsoever as this is a taboo. While other people fear the sight of needles, pain and blood, the main reason people do not donate blood is because of pure ignorance of why blood donation is important and the benefits of donating blood to the donor as well as the receiver.

Health benefits of blood donation to the donor include reduced risk of hemochromatosis which is a health condition that arises due to excess absorption of iron by the body. It lowers the risk of cancer as the iron stores in the body are maintained at healthy levels. Blood donation is also beneficial in reducing the risk of heart

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and liver ailments caused by iron overload in the body. It was also found out that regular blood donation reduces the weight of donors as it helps to shed up to 645 kilocalories.

Transfusion of blood can save patient’s life in many ways. In Zimbabwe, nearly half a million pregnancies are expected yearly and in a minority there is excessive blood loss, requiring a transfusion of an average of three pints. Also, it is compulsory to have at least two pints of blood during every birth and donating blood will not only save the mother, but also avoid the ordeals of the child living without a mother. In addition to this, blood is needed for patients suffering from anaemia, haemophilia, thalassemia, acute coronary syndrome, thrombocytopenia and severe burn victims.

Blood transfusion is often a lifesaving medical intervention, which is required for many different medical conditions and surgical procedures making blood donations one of the most significant contributions that a person can make to the society. Remember, it is not harmful for an adult to donate blood so let’s come forward to donate blood. Life is the blood!

LIST OF REFERENCES https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/11/12/blood-cost-revised-downwards/ http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/high-medical-costs-hit-zimbabwe/ http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-38247/Zim+blood+prices+highest+in+SADC/news.aspx http://www.nbsz.co.zw/content/finding-solution-cost-blood-zimbabwe

BIOGRAPHY Munyaradzi Arthur. Maunge munyaradzimaunge@live.com Munyaradzi is a third year BPharm candidate at the University of Zimbabwe and has an interest in research. He is also the vice president of the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students Association.

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