AfRO CORNER e-MAGAZINE ISSUE 2

Table of Contents

Editorial Board Foreword Message from Editor-In-Chief Contributors About Us About IPSF About IPSF AfRO Meet the Regional Working Group Poems and Short Stories Essays IPSF AfRO Essay Competition Health and Fitness Student Exchange Programme About SEP SEP Testimonials African Pharmaceutical Symposium About IPSF AfPS Hosts of IPSF AfPS So Far AfPS Moments in Pictures Testimonials Remarks by the Chairperson 9th IPSF AfPS Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective SRHR Hackathon 2021 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights What is a Hackathon?

About IPSF AfRO/IPSF PARO/FIP SRHR Hackathon Winner Hacks and Participants Contact Information

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Editorial Board AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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Chairperson IPSF African Regional Office 2021

As Brian Tracy likes to put it, if you are not constantly improving, you are actually falling behind. The IPSF African Regional Office always seeks to improve and is constantly and consistently coming up with innovative projects to keep members up to date with trends in the healthcare space regionally and globally alike.

I have been actively involved in IPSF for the past five years; from a scrutineer to working on

the

Regional

Relations

subcommittee

to

Regional

Working

Group

as

Regional

Relations Officer then eventually working on the IPSF Executive committee as the Chairperson of the African Regional Office, IPSF AfRO always gives you the chance and capacity to grow that is if you are willing to. I always would be grateful to the just outgone Regional working group 2020/2021 and even more proud of the new Regional Working Group as I am sure they would build on and make the Region stronger.

This magazine is a beautiful piece of work and testimony of the capacity of the Region to even do more; take your time, with some popcorn if you can, go through this piece of work, be informed of the upcoming projects of the region, and try as much as you can to be involved as well, be updated with current trends in our global village and most importantly always seek to make an impact and change wherever you find yourself.

Viva la pharmacie, Viva la IPSF, Viva la AfRO.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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The second issue of the AfRO Corner e-Magazine aimed to celebrate AfRO, promote the professional development of the students and recent graduates, as well as trigger their imagination into unresolved possibilities to shape future practice in the profession and is intended to draw on market trends in the pharma sector and healthcare

space

at

large

in

Africa.

creativity of AfRO members because

These

are

in

addition

to

showcasing

the

AfRO is a Vibe!

It is always a delight working on brilliant projects especially publications. Having had the opportunity to lead a wonderful team in the conception and nurturing of this project, I am glad to declare that the much-awaited delivery is upon us and the fruit of our contributions, creativity, and AfRO spirit is thus born.

Special gratitude to the amazing Editorial Board for ensuring this publication comes alive despite the challenges faced. I would also like to appreciate the Regional Working Group for the immense support given to my team and me throughout the implementation of this project. We acknowledge the contributors for being willing to share with us their creativity in words and we hope that the readers will enjoy it besides

being

informed.

A

new

feature

was

also

introduced

-

Life After

Graduation: The AfRO Perspective. You will love it!

Lastly, I hope that this will trigger every AfROer and encourage creative writing and content creation for subsequent publications. Get out those pens, and sharpen those typing skills! After all, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you" - Maya Angelou (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings).

Editor-In-Chief Regional Media and Publications Officer IPSF African Regional Office 2021

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

ABOUT US ABOUT IPSF IPSF is an international non-governmental, non-political, non-religious, and non-profit umbrella organization for pharmacy student organizations and represents more than 500,000 pharmacy and pharmaceutical science students and recent graduates from over 100 countries worldwide.

IPSF was founded in 1949, making IPSF the oldest faculty-based student organization in the world. IPSF is the leading international advocacy organization for pharmacy and pharmaceutical science students and recent graduates, promoting improved public health through the provision of information, education, networking, and a range of publications and professional initiatives. Initiatives include public health campaigns, research on issues in pharmacy education and workforce development, the Student Exchange Programme, organizing international and regional congresses and symposia, and publication of the IPSF News Bulletin, Newsletter, and educational supplement Phuture.

The

Federation

has

its

secretariat

located

with

the

International

Pharmaceutical

Federation (FIP) in The Hague, The Netherlands. IPSF holds Official Relations with the World

Health

Organization

(WHO),

Operational

Relations

with

the

United

Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Roster Consultative Status of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UN ECOSOC).

There are five regional extensions of the Federation: Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO);

African Regional Office (AfRO); Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO); European Regional Office (EuRO); Pan American Regional Office (PARO).

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

ABOUT IPSF AfRO IPSF African Regional Office (AfRO) was established in the 54th IPSF World Congress held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in August 2008 when its establishment was voted in as a way of tackling the importance of decentralizing IPSF work into regions.

The African Regional Office is represented by 23 member organizations (MOs) in 22 countries of which thirteen are full members and ten are members-in-association:

FULL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 1. AEPHAT, Togo

MEMBERS-IN-ASSOCIATION 1. AEPHAN, Niger

2. AEP, Mali

2. AEPHARM, Guinea

3. AESPHAB, Benin

3. AEPSn, Senegal

4. CEP-UOB, DRC

4. CAPSA, Cameroon

5. CEPHARM, Burkina Faso

5. COMPSA, Malawi

6. GPSA, Ghana

6. MUPSA, Uganda

7. KEPhSA, Kenya

7. PHARM-UL, Liberia

8. NAPS-SL, Sierra Leone

8. UNZAPHARMSA, Zambia

9. PANS, Nigeria

9. EPSA, Eswatini

10. SAPSF, South Africa 11. TAPSA, Tanzania 12. UPSA, Uganda 13. ZPSA, Zimbabwe

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10. AMEF, Mozambique

MEET THE RWG The IPSF Regional Offices is a functional extension of the IPSF Executive Committee represented by elected pharmaceutical science students from IPSF member countries of a specific IPSF region, forming a

Regional Working Group.

The mission of the Regional Working Group is to advance and support the aims and objectives of the Federation at the regional level.

The IPSF AfRO Regional Working Group (AfRO RWG) consists of: Chairperson Secretary Regional Relations Officer (RRO) Regional Media and Publications Officer (RMPO) Regional Projects Officer (RPO) Immediate Past Chairperson (IPC) Chairperson of the IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium (IPSF AfPS) Reception Committee

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Superhero League RWG 2020-2021

"The IPSF AfRO RWG is a collective of strength, wit and compassion bound together by a warrior spirit. They stand formidable, ready to bring honour to all African pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students."

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Fantastic Team RWG 2021-2022

"The IPSF AfRO RWG is a collective of strength, wit and compassion bound together by a warrior spirit. They stand formidable, ready to bring honour to all African pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students."

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

POEMS & SHORT

STORIES

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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By Michelle Wairimu I bet you know all about this breast cancer talk that goes around like "Do not ignore your body trying to talk to you, watch out for that lump, for breast discolouration, for nodes on your armpit" Yada Yada Yada like a broken record, but you never picture it could be you.

"You will start chemo next week, that's if we want to shrink the tumour before it spreads further."

“Have you discussed the safer option?"

I stare.

“Having your breast removed will help. Think about it. Nowadays there are prosthetic breasts that look so much like the real ones. No one can tell the difference. No one would ever have to know" But I would know!!! I would care! I would stoop!!!!!

Mind me screams hysterically.

“Let me think about it“, I say “I know it's a difficult choice, but you have to think about your health, you have a whole life ahead of you at your age."

Fast forward a couple of months and I'm in a whitewashed room, and there is this guy menacingly holding a saw telling me to sit still as he raises his saw and brings it down with such force, I scream.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

But then I wake up, and the first thing I do is touch my breasts, these darlings are still here, folks! But so are the lumps, so is the slight discoloration, so are the nodes on the armpits…

This isn't cancer!

This isn't cancer!

Dammit, kid, this isn't cancer! I chant.

These are fibroids, fibroids, love.

A tear rolls from my left eye to the pillow my head finds rest.

God let me not go like this, not like this.

My alarm goes off.

I wipe the tear away with the back of my hand, and rush to start my day… pharmacology at 7, social pharmacy at 9, pharmaceutics at 11… I should carry lunch, I think.

Ooooooh shoot, what to wear!

But before I rush to start my day, here's what I say to you, "Do not ignore your body trying to talk to you" I say, "watch out for that lump, for breast discoloration, for nodes on your armpit"... "we can defang this beast called cancer, together" Spread awareness.

Do have yourself a lovely day ahead! I plan to, despite the jitters of my morning.

And P. S don't act like you didn't already know it was a dream the minute I mentioned 'SAW' hehe.

Love, M

My Little Darlings AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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POEMS AND SHORT STORIES

Called for

Greatness

By Osei Bernard Antwi

I stand on a narrow road On a journey towards my goal Pain, grief, sorrow and uncertainty have so far been my daily acquaintances “Lab reports”, the biggest of all my plights thus far

My confidence takes a tumble as my spirit shudders at the thought of 5 more years of such gut-wrenching suffering

The Doctor of Pharmacy degree frightens me, For I am convinced my department is after my life Nonetheless, I persevere, I struggle yet I hold on I am battered, brought to the brink of breakdown, But my motivation is renewed and my spirit, spurred-on anew For I have received a calling In my abode of ignorance and mediocrity, A hand has been reached out to me that I rise and serve A God-given mandate to play a godlike role unlike any other: I have been called to be a Pharmacist Filled with joy yet shrouded in worry, For the only assurance I have is of more painful days as I continue down this path Nonetheless, I shall plod on For my goal is within my grasp To come out with my Doctor of Pharmacy degree And to see my patients gladdened by my service as a professional are what I seek

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

POEMS AND SHORT STORIES

By Olaoluwa Oladipo

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

By Yahaya Fatihu

By Yahaya Fatihu

POEMS AND SHORT STORIES I Have a Story To Tell

By Andrew Waititu May 16, 2021 at 10:09 AM. The sound of the commotion increased as I neared the examination room. I looked at the watch. 8:30 AM it showed.

"F***," I muttered to myself as I increased the pace. The exam was to start at 10:00 AM but I was still late. Late for that crucial last-minute revision.

I was finally greeted by the sight of my classmates. Yes, there were a few daredevils who'd chosen to spend the extra time near the cafeteria but most of them were sitting around staring intently into their books. I, however, was looking for one particular guy. A guy named Leon happened to be the class topper and also my best friend.

"Hey man!" I threw him a greeting as I saw him.

"Hi," he said smugly as he pointed to his watch.

"Sorry bro...I know we were supposed to meet at 8:00 but kulikuwa na shida ya matatu- " "Haina noma tuanze wapi?" he interrupted.

"Wanzala anakaa ku test maswali gani”, I replied and for the next one hour, I paid more attention to him than I'd paid to my Lecturer in my entire Semester.

Before Google. Before Wikipedia. Before interactive YouTube tutorials. There was that friend. That one friend who knew exactly whether questions from a particular chapter would come for 5 marks, 10 marks, or 20 marks. Who knew where the compulsory questions would come from. And above all, who not only knew the answers to all these questions but also knew how to explain them clearly in a limited amount of time.

That's why I decided to write a thank you note to that one special 'teacher' on behalf of all his/her 'students' today. Thank you for teaching me the difference between ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state. Thank you for helping me distinguish between schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, for explaining to me the details of Pharmacognosy, for simplifying Human Anatomy for me, and above all, thank you for doing this merely 30 minutes before the exam just so that I could retain most of it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm definitely not trivializing the efforts and the contribution of that friend who used to make and circulate notes amongst all of us. But it's just that while that person used to give us what we wanted, our last-minute teacher used to give us what we needed. They were the ones coming up with helpful acronyms to memorize the periodic table and weird songs to help us learn the chronology of the Mughal dynasty. Friends like these weren't restricted to school. They were there in college as well. Explaining equations and even giving mini practicals before an important VIVA. Yes, even in the age of Google and Wikipedia, their importance failed to diminish. They were still the heroes we wanted, deserved, and needed. So if you're one of those last-minute teachers reading this, believe me, you are the real MVP!!

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

POEMS AND SHORT STORIES From CEP FMPS to IPSF

my journey in pharmacy education advocacy

By Nzokou Talla Cedrick Being a pharmacy student in my country, Cameroon, like in most parts of the world is a privilege.

Arriving at pharmacy school in 2015 after several attempts in the highly competitive entry exams was already an achievement for me. Not knowing much about pharmacy, I can testify the only thing I knew of a pharmacist was that he works in a community pharmacy and sells medicines. From the first lecture in pharmacy school, my view of the profession changed and I had to make a decision; advocacy in making the profession known to the younger generation to enable them to make appropriate career choices while in high school. I then got to CEP FMPS (the pharmacy student association of my faculty) in my second year where I took part in various activities. The next year, I went in for a position in the executive of the association which was successful.

The

real

process

started

there.

I

got

to

know

so

many

people

ranging

from

students

and

professionals, nationally and internationally. Together with the other pharmacy schools in the country, we thought it wise to come together and make one association, and that’s how Cameroonian Pharmaceutical Students Association (CAPSA) came into existence in 2019. That same year, my faculty hosted the first Cameroonian Pharmaceutical Studies Fair and we were honoured to receive a delegation from Nigeria (Executive members of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students).

We officially made our first contact with International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) through them. That got us so motivated and together we engaged on the journey of getting CAPSA to IPSF. A year later, I was in charge of a team with the mission of getting CAPSA to IPSF. It was a success during the General Assembly which was held online due to the Covid 19 pandemics. We owe that achievement to the President of IPSF AfRO 2020 mandate our Mama Purity Wambui and to the entire Regional Relations team of that year led by Ms Nzeribe Emmanuella. From their passion and dedication, I decided to follow their steps and soar higher in IPSF.

During our first year in IPSF, I learned so much. From webinars to different skill events, not forgetting the ever-growing pharmacy professional network we gain; I can say IPSF is so beneficial. I had the opportunity to represent my association in the last IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium which took place in Bamako, Mali. From there, I can say AfRO is more than just a coming together of students, but a “pharmily”. It was an extraordinary experience and I will always be grateful for this journey which I consider still starting. Building future pharmacists with a high sense of responsibility and love for their profession has become my daily goal since I joined the working teams of AfRO. It’s a pleasure sharing this story with you my pharmily. I equally wish to extend my congratulations to the outgoing RWG (2020-2021) and courage to the incoming teams.

Let’s keep the light of AfRO glowing.

Viva la pharmacie, viva IPSF.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

AfRO is more than just a coming together of students, but a “pharmily”.

- Nzokou Talla Cedrick, 2021

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IPSF IPSF AfRO AfRO Essay Essay Competition Competition

“Planetary health dialogues: Perspectives of the youth and pharmacists in a global pandemic”

This essay competition highlighted perspectives of young people and of pharmacists on how our planet can be safeguarded in times of COVID-19; how COVID-19 positively or negatively affects the health of the planet and hence our civilisation; how pharmacists can champion the inclusion of planetary health into public health.

The essay competition sought to elucidate strategies that can be employed to overcome climate-related economic, sociopolitical, and health risks.

ESSAYS Planetary health, officially launched in 2015 by the Rockefeller Foundation Lancet Commission on Planetary Health, is a new and emerging field of science that spans disciplines and sectors and seeks to address the efficient protection of the planet earth, its inhabitants and resources, including ecosystems, in an ultimate quest to safeguard the health of humans-sustainability and development of civilisation.

In addition to public health and environmental health considerations, planetary health examines upstream political, economic, and social systems and calls for an interdisciplinary approach. The original planetary health manifesto and the Rockefeller Foundation– Lancet Commission on Planetary Health defined planetary health as “... the achievement of the highest attainable standard of health, wellbeing, and equity worldwide through judicious attention to the human systems— political, economic, and social—that shape the future of humanity and the Earth’s natural systems that define the safe environmental limits within which humanity can flourish. Put simply, planetary health is the health of human civilisation and the state of the natural systems on which it depends.”

Successful control strategies deployed by highincome countries include reducing exposure at source (such as removing lead from gasoline), banning asbestos, and crafting policies to reduce air pollution. Such strategies have proven incredibly cost-effective. Removal of lead from gasoline has returned approximately $200 billion to the US economy each year since 1980.”

On March 26, 2021, the IPSF Chairperson of Public Health announced the federation’s membership in the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA), in line with our plans to work more on environmental issues and connect them to health and our members. Now on such a great platform as we have with the biggest gathering of pharmacy students on the African continent (African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS)) and with a theme focusing mainly on highlighting novel perspectives to propel Africa to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the set target date of 2030, it is meet that we discuss and take action on the health of our planet and how that can help us prevent or overcome unforeseen global crisis/disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic that the world is facing.

Planetary health promotion activities have spanned from natural hazards and disasters, air quality, sustainability of safe food production, protection of our water bodies and wetlands, just to mention a few.

“WHO estimated that exposures to polluted soil, water, and air contributed in 2012 to an estimated 8.9 million deaths worldwide—8.4 million (94%) in low-and-middle-income countries. Different pollutants are linked in children to noncommunicable diseases (such as asthma), cognitive disorders and perinatal defects, and among adults to heart disease, stroke and cancer. Although environmental pollution is reaching disturbing proportions worldwide, it remains a neglected problem in national policies and on international development agendas. Pollution imposes a great cost to society—in the US alone, the price tag is US$76.6 billion."

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

ESSAYS It is natural during the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic to focus on emergency response planning, including containment, treatment procedures, and vaccine development, and nobody would doubt the need for these measures. However, an emergency can also open a window of opportunity for reflection and learning. We live in increasingly global, interdependent, and environmentally constrained societies and the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies these aspects of our world. We would therefore be wise to take a broad integrated perspective on this disease, the impacts of which are already spilling over into the realms of economics, international trade, politics, and inequality.

Resilience planning needs to cope with these cascading impacts, and prevention efforts require a similarly wide lens to encompass ecosystems, wild animal disease surveillance, agricultural practices, eating habits, and cultural traditions and contexts. In other words, we need a planetary health perspective that cuts across traditional domains of knowledge, governance, and economic sectors to properly address the challenge posed by COVID-19.

Winner Essay

Runner-Up Essay

Sandra C. Aiyabei KEPhSA, Kenya

Jemutai Anna KEPhSA, Kenya

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Winner Winner Essay Essay “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, what is good for the world will be good for us.” (Berry, 1969). We have risen above our limitations. However, what we have gained in global advancement, we have paid for with environmental currency, leaving us with depleted natural resources.

These conditions boomerang on us, threatening our health and civilization. For instance, deforestation has led to the loss of habitats for wild animals, increasing human-wildlife proximity and consequently increasing incidences of zoonosis.

Ecosystem well-being is to human health what a strong foundation is to a high-rise building.

Planetary health, a novel concept that focuses on the interdependence of human health and that of the environment can be likened to strengthening the foundation of an already existing building. Planetary health as a health governance frame calls for collaboration and interdisciplinary action at both local and global levels. We are currently grappling with a pandemic resulting from an imbalance of natural systems. If we are to foil a repeat, we must acknowledge that the biosphere does not belong to us; we belong to it. (Wilson, 2016) The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted reduced funding for environmental organizations, potentially crippling ecosystem restoration efforts. On the flip side, travel bans have reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.

Quoting Jacquelyn Gill on climate change, “We know that we won't be fine, but there's a lot of space between fine and doomed. That space is our greatest asset because it allows us to choose our future."

Foremost is to educate ourselves about planetary health then highlight its relevance to healthcare. Society’s trust in healthcare workers

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By Sandra C. Aiyabei

creates a unique channel to inspire our patients to preserve the natural systems since their health ultimately depends on it. Action trickles down to our mundane activities: the food we eat, our means of transport and the conversations we have. In all these, the goal should be minimizing the ecological footprint.

Plants are an important source of medicines, and animals are useful in research during drug development. It is pertinent that the stakeholders in the education and public health ministries understand that pharmaceutical innovations rely heavily on the sustainability of biodiversity and hence avail more avenues for healthcare workers to learn about planetary health. As students, we can start clubs that steer peer education and projects on planetary health. Diverse methods of sharing knowledge, like comics and podcasts, can increase reach.

Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai said, “Education if it means anything, should not take people away from the land, but instil in them even more respect for it because educated people are in a position to understand what is being lost.”

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu, was recently faced with the threat of a coal-fired power plant construction. The livelihoods of residents are dependent on the environment, and the plant would have dealt a detrimental blow to their socio-economic activities.

Through activism, Kenyans successfully resisted the project; reminding us of our power in driving conservation.

We are obliged to preserve biodiversity because the next generation has a right to a resourceful and balanced ecosystem that will support their wellbeing. Even small actions contribute to environmental restoration and every encouraging word inspires collective response in line with planetary health.

References 1. Berry, W. (1969). The Long-Legged House.

2. Wilson, E. O. ( 2016). Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life. Liveright.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Runner-Up Runner-Up Essay Essay

By Jemutai Anna

It is not a secret that the planet’s health as compared to say fifty years ago is at a worse state. Initially, when scientists tried to warn the world of the impending doom regarding the planet’s climate, many people did not really realize the gravity of the situation they would soon be in. There has recently been a lot of outcry from the public concerning the state of the planet’s climate because people have started seeing the unpleasant effects of climate change.

Chances of increase of outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as malaria and bilharzia and gastrointestinal diseases such as cholera become higher with the increase in the water levels in the lake. It is estimated that as time progresses, the higher the chances of the water levels in L. Victoria rising as long as global warming is still in effect. This in effect will be detrimental to the health of the population around Lake Victoria.

Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the World.

It serves five countries in East Africa.

Considering this fact, L. Victoria contributes to the day-to-day lives of about eighty-five million people. Many sectors in the five countries, therefore, depend on L. Victoria for their operation.

The solution to this is to directly solve the problem of human-caused warming. The global pandemic has positively influenced the health of the planet. It has presented a perfect opportunity to reconsider how we organize and merge food, waste, water and energy systems.

COVID-19 resource mobilization can drive green recovery to make things better and to engage environmental sustainability and health evidence to effectively protect against future pandemics and global challenges. This view addresses climate change and the energy economy.

In 2020, according to the L. Victoria Basin Commission, water levels reached novel heights that had not been reached before. A new record of 13.42 meters was observed in the lake. The last time such high water levels were observed was in 1964 (13.41 meters). The cause of the rise of water levels, according to scientists, is the heavy rains caused by extreme Indian Ocean Dipole as a result of the change in the climate. The Indian Ocean dipole, a naturally occurring phenomenon, occurs due to differences in sea surface temperatures between the eastern and western tropical Indian Ocean. This is not to say, however, that the Indian Ocean Dipole cannot be influenced by human-caused warming. It can.

The more humans continue burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests and farming livestock the more greenhouses increase in the atmosphere and the more the greenhouse effect and global warming. As a result of heavy rainfall, the water levels in L. Victoria rose drastically causing floods on the shores of the lakes. An increase in the water levels in the lake was and is a great concern for the health of the population living next to the shores.

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The youth, like the likes of Greta Thunberg (an environmental activist), have an important role in combating climate change. This is because the youth can adapt to make a low-carbon lifestyle and career choices. Youth education on climate change is therefore very crucial because the youth population will determine the direction of the world in the future.

Pharmacists are expected to boost existing efforts to mitigate climate change through their actions and leadership so as to promote public health. Therefore, to promote planetary health, all hands should be on deck.

References 1. Conway, D., 2002. Extreme rainfall events and lake level changes in East Africa: recent events and historical precedents. In the East African great lakes: limnology, and biodiversity (pp. 63-92). Springer, Dordrecht.

2. Myers S. Planetary health: Protecting human health on a rapidly changing planet. Lancet. 2017;390:2860-8.

3. Frumkin H, Haines A. Global environmental change and non-communicable disease risk. Annu. Rev Public Health.

2019;40:261-82.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

| Riaga Nereah

E

ach time I am asked how I deal with the pressure of being a pharmacy student and life's anxiety, my first answer is always meditation, and every single time the person that I am having the conversation with gives me a puzzled look. On behalf of all those with who I have interacted and given me that confused face, I will attempt to give you a summary of what it entails and how to begin your meditation journey.

Buddhists may define meditation as a way of taking control of the mind in order to achieve peace and focus in the brain while giving a sense of awareness to the body. As for me, I like to think of meditation as a pause from the busy rush of life. There are 7 chakras that have been identified as; crown, third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, and root chakra. These all work in synchrony to bring harmony and calmness to the soul. Meditating through them helps bring the entire chakra system into parasympathetic balance. When any one of these chakras is blocked or overactive it may manifest physically and emotionally hence they need to be balanced. Each chakra has its own mantra/sound with a healing potential that can be repeated out loud.

From the top of the head, the first is our crown chakra “OM”, the thought element. It is associated with white or violet and its sole purpose is to connect one to spirituality. A balanced crown chakra enables us to have a greater connection with ourselves and the entire universe creating a sense of harmony and clarity. Imbalances in this chakra may physically manifest as poor sleeping habits, confusion, depression, and migraines.

The third eye chakra “SHAM” is in the middle of the forehead. Linked to the sixth color of the rainbow indigo, it

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regulates our dreams so its blockade may cause insomnia.

Has a relation to one’s intuition, thoughts, ability to think and subsequently make decisions so when it is not balanced one may experience difficulties expressing themselves.

When imbalanced it manifests as delusions, failure to see things realistically, and anxiety.

The throat chakra “HAM” serves communication and selfexpression. It is located at the center of the neck and linked to the color blue. An enlightened throat chakra enables one to be an effective communicator exclusively expressing truthful

HEALTH AND FITNESS

HEALTH AND FITNESS thoughts and an active listener. However if not, then social anxiety, sore throat, and even thyroid issues ensue.

The middle chakra is the heart “YAM”, which is within the heart region and associated with green. The purpose of this chakra is to bring love, joy, and inner peace to make us compassionate, understanding, and empathetic members of society. Having a high emotional connection and failure to enlighten it results in loneliness, codependency, grudges, ungratefulness, and cardiovascular problems.

One of the most crucial chakras that aid in building selfesteem and confidence in the solar plexus “RAM” is linked to yellow. When enlightened, it makes us feel more in control which builds our confidence, self-worth, and inner strength. These function to make us strive to survive even in tough conditions. An imbalanced solar plexus emotionally manifests as stubbornness, victim mentality, restlessness, and tension. It may also cause digestive and musculoskeletal issues.

The sacral chakra “VAM” is anatomically just below the navel and serves the purpose of creation and sexuality giving us the opportunity to cultivate healthy relationships and balance between feminine and masculine energies.

This chakra is associated with the vibrant colour orange.

When not balanced this may cause sexual difficulties, fear of sensual pleasure, and urinary problems.

The final one is the root chakra “LAM” linked to red, found at the base of the spine and its principal role is insecurity and survival. It. When your root chakra is balanced you feel safe and secure creating a sense of independence within you. It enables us to be more grounded and centred. If this chakra is not balanced then it may physically and emotionally manifest as a poor immune system and insecurity.

With those basics of chakra meditation, what next? Ensure you find a nice quiet space with free-flowing air then take a comfortable position, either lying down (savasana) or sitting down with feet crossed (padmasana). With your eyes closed, visualize the colour and location of the chakra. Repeat the mantra severally from the root to crown chakra out loud to create more physical awareness. Start with a few minutes and with time your concentration span will improve and you will be able to meditate for much longer. Great gurus and yogis can meditate for hours! This is because it is part of their daily routines so take up the challenge and give chakral meditation a try.

With love from your local yogi, Namaste.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

ANTIMICROBIALS: HANDLE WITH CARE

By Baraka Augustine Fundo Have you ever imagined the World without any medicine, whether herbal or formal? Bacteria parasites, fungus, and viruses in a whole without any antimicrobial to tackle? Pains and inflammations without analgesics and antiinflammatory? Surgical procedures without anaesthetics? But have you ever thought or imagined when medicines would be available but would no longer cure your disease anymore by all possible combinations and dosage formulations?

Once upon a time in the 1330s emerged a very serious disease outbreak the world had never imagined. It is estimated about 200 million of the world population lost their lives. In England, it was estimated about 4 out of 10 people died.

Families were demolished from the face of the universe while others lost their beloved ones. It was so miserable until the pandemic was nicknamed a ‘black plague’. The authorities and the health cadres by then were completely helpless in the face of the calamity. The only step taken to console the afflicted ones was to organize mass prayers and professions, there was no idea how to stop the spread of the epidemic let alone cure it. People blamed demons, devils, and angry gods thinking that it was a curse or a punishment of God to the wrongdoers of the universe.

It took a number of centuries until in 1894 a bacteriologist Alexander Yersin discovered that the plague and others of its like were caused by an anaerobic bacteria called Yersinia pestis.

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Studies and researches conducted had shown it is a facultative anaerobic organism that can infect humans via the oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis). Perhaps this achievement was a result of the discovery of advanced diagnostic tools that had not existed before. This sounds so interesting that it took about 600 years until the cause was known to leave alone cure.

The black plague is not a single incidence of an infectious disease that wiped out a huge number of people in the world because of no diagnostic tools and cure. Human beings have remained slaves of infectious diseases and deadly pandemics for centuries.

It was until 1928 Alexander Fleming by accident made the world a better place for the survival of human beings and other animals by the discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic. This turned the impossible into possible, the curses and punishments of gods to wrongdoers during the black plague into normal bacterial infections that could be treated. Plague, Syphilis, cholera, pneumonia were no longer world threats but rather curable diseases. From 200 million deaths due to plague to 1006 managed cases in 2012.

This success is a result of antimicrobial agents and vaccines discovered in different years in different parts of the world thus making the golden era in human history.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

From the 1950s the golden era enters into a new chapter, the disease-causing agents which could be treated by antimicrobial agents started to develop resistance. Man can no longer use a single therapy but rather a combination of therapies which some have even faced resistance. This sounds alarming that we are heading into a new era of antimicrobial resistance, returning to the era where infections can no longer be cured by the available agents.

A new era where antimicrobials are no longer saviours but rather functionless.

Perhaps one would rather think of the discovery of new antimicrobial agents as the solution and hope against the shooting resistance. It goes back to 1987 when the last group of antibiotics was discovered and 2015 when the new type of antibiotic Teixobactin was discovered that bacteria had no resistance yet after 800 vehicle combinations trials. This puts into our concern that discovery seems to be a cumbersome process that demands a lot of research and resources. Moreover, the discovered and modified antimicrobial agents that have once been reserved have also developed resistance with some strains. This sounds very threatening especially in developing countries where infectious diseases are still a major threat to the population. Also, this threatens the economies of people since some strong antimicrobial agents are very expensive that People will no longer afford.

Irrational prescribing, irrational dispensing and irrational use stand as major causes of occurrence and spreading of resistance in man and other animals. Antimicrobial agents have been available in the market and used as sweets and biscuits without precise diagnosis and prescription. Moreover, the agents are mostly

not correctly used without dosage completion.

Society is full of people who have given themselves medical duties without a medical profession while most professionals no longer obey ethics and standards.

The acceleration of antimicrobial agents calls everyone’s attention. Let’s not return to the dates of the black plague. I call upon the governments, politicians, and policymakers to ensure that health infrastructures are available and easily accessed by everyone. I call upon society to go to hospitals when falling sick. I call upon laboratory scientists to ensure correct diagnosis and medical tests, I call upon physicians to ensure rational prescriptions, I call upon pharmacists to ensure rational dispensing and proper instructions. Lastly, everyone to ensure rational use of antimicrobial agents. Let us prevent resistance and make our world a better place for us and for the next generation.

Let us handle antimicrobials with care.

Le paracétamol se vend comme “des petits pains” en pharmacie. Ce médicament est en vente libre et à un prix accessible à tous. Quelque gens utilise le paracétamol pour “tout et n'importe quoi” et les autres l’utilisent irrationnellement et ceux-ci peuvent causer des répercussions sur la santé. Malheureusement, ces conséquences sont souvent ignorées ou négligées par tous d'où ce petit recyclage sur l'utilisation de ce produit de santé.

QUELLES SONT LES INDICATIONS DU PARACÉTAMOL?

A tord et à travers, les uns l'utilisent après une longue et dure journée de travail pour pallier la fatigue et les autres l'utilisent quand ils sont mal à la tête et éventuellement aux douleurs musculaires. Il y'a du bon et de la mauvaise raison dans cette utilisation du paracétamol pour laquelle j'ai décidé, en tant que pharmacienne, d'en parler pour aider à mieux l’utiliser et préserver ainsi notre santé.

C’est vrai que le paracétamol vous soulage de différents maux mais son premier rôle est d'être un antidouleur et il n'est pas du tout à prendre pour remédier votre fatigue de la journée. Il existe une autre catégorie de médicaments/stratégies pour lutter contre la fatigue comme une bonne nuit de sommeil et un bon bain chaud pour vous détendre. Le paracétamol est un antidouleur, un analgésique et aussi un antipyrétique. C'est l'analgésique de palier par excellence prescrit pour faire baisser la fièvre d'un nourrisson, d'un enfant ou même d'un adulte. La différence est que la posologie varie en fonction de la tranche d’âge.

POURQUOI DIT-ON QUE LE PARACÉTAMOL EST TOXIQUE?

Le paracétamol utilisé dans le respect des règles de prescription de votre médecin ou de conseils de votre pharmacien ne s'avère pas toxique. Les effets de sa toxicité peuvent se manifester lorsque vous l'utilisez mal et de manière abusive.

COMMENT L’EXPLIQUER

Le paracétamol doit être normalement métabolisé par le foie par le cytochrome P450 avant son élimination. En cas de consommation abusive le foie est submergé et ne peut plus assurer ce rôle. Il transforme alors le paracétamol dans un métabolite toxique, la N-acétyl-p benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). Le NAPQI s'accumule, causant parfois des lésions des cellules du foie d’où son caractère hépatotoxique. Cette toxicité peut avoir des répercussions sur le fonctionnement du rein d’où son caractère néphrotique.

LES RECOMMANDATIONS POUR LA BONNE UTILISATION DU PARACÉTAMOL

Aucun médicament, en vente libre ou non plus, n'est anodin.

Tous les médicaments peuvent s’avérer dangereux pour la santé si vous ne respectez pas leurs règles d'utilisations.

Note: This section includes content in French.

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Concernant le paracétamol, il est important de: Toujours respecter la prescription du médecin en cas de traitement avec le paracétamol et autres produits associés.

Toujours demander l'avis de votre médecin traitant ou de votre pharmacien pour l'achat de paracétamol ou d'un autre médicament contenant du paracétamol.

Eviter l'association de plusieurs médicaments contenant le paracétamol car le risque de surdosage est très grand.

En cas d'insuffisance rénale ou d'une quelconque maladie du foie, discuter avec votre médecin avant l'utilisation du paracétamol.

Pour les nourrissons, préférer les dispositifs d'administration dose/ poids pour éviter un surdosage ou un sous dosage du médicament.

Les formes pédiatriques sont les sirops et les suspensions, les suppositoires et les sachets.

Si après des prises répétées de paracétamol la fièvre ou la douleur ne s'estompe pas, consulter un médecin pour une meilleure prise en charge LE PARACETAMOL ET L'ALCOOL, UN COKTAIL À EVITER!

Vous avez l'impression que la prise de paracétamol le lendemain d'une veille vous soulage d’un mal de tête atroce. Si vous êtes de cette team, sachez que le paracétamol et l'alcool ne font pas un bon ménage. Ce médicament, consommé excessivement, a tendance à renforcer les lésions des cellules hépatiques.

Le paracétamol est assimilé et métabolisé par le foie grâce au cytochrome P450, qui est le même canal qui traite l’alcool aussi. Quand tous les deux sont présents pour être éliminés, le cytochrome rend la molécule de paracétamol inactive et favorise la production de sa forme toxique.

En résumé, retenons que le paracétamol est le médicament incontournable de la boîte à pharmacie. Même s’il ne doit jamais manquer à la maison, ce n’est pas une raison pour en faire une constante automédication car les répercussions sur la santé sont bien réelles.

Note: This section includes content in French.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Student Exchange Programme (SEP) is IPSF's largest project, offering professional pharmacy internships. Every year, more than 1000 students around the world are given the opportunity to experience pharmacy practice in more than 80 different countries.

The IPSF member organizations organize the exchanges by finding host sites where the students are trained. The programme runs throughout the year (Winter version and Summer version), but the majority of the exchanges take place between May and September.

The length is usually 2 weeks up to 3 months with a minimum of 40 working hours per exchange, and possible host sites include: Community pharmacy; Hospital pharmacy; Clinical pharmacy; Wholesale pharmacy; Pharmaceutical industry; Research at university; Government or private health agencies.

The host may also provide room, board and/or pocket money in addition to the training site in order to help the applicant.

During exchange, participants can share and develop pharmaceutical knowledge and skills. At the same time, this is a unique opportunity to experience new cultures, try different food, meet friends, learn new languages, visit beautiful places and enjoy your vacations by enriching yourself in different ways.

Pharmacy students and recent graduates who belong to an IPSF Member Organisation can apply for SEP through their association. If your association is not a member of IPSF, you can apply for Individual Membership first and then apply as an Individual Member. For further information about the Individual Membership, please contact the Regional Relations Officer, Chairperson of Internal Relations or the IPSF Membership Coordinator.

If you have a Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences Students' Organisation locally or nationally, you can also join us as an IPSF Member Organisation.

A list of all participating associations and countries are listed in the 'Countries' tab in the IPSF website. You can view a lot of information about each association and also view evaluations posted by past SEP participants.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

2021

SEP Testimonial

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

It has been a great start to my mandate as the Student Exchange Officer of the Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Student’s Association, working together with the Pharmacy Students Association of Kenya (KEPhSA) Students Exchange Officer I managed to receive an exchange student from their association from the 3rd to the 16th of August 2021. These two weeks were packed and full of fun and exciting experiences I would say! We managed to work in most sectors within the pharmaceutical industry. We got retail placement for our exchange student in some of the most prominent pharmacies in the capital where she managed to work in rotations having a feel of the different skills required in the retail pharmacy field. We managed to have clinical tours as well where she had the appreciation of how things are done in the clinical and hospital pharmacy. One of the exciting ones was the industrial experience where our student and myself managed to work night shifts at one of the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe. We got to appreciate how the pharmacy profession is structured in a nutshell as well as various prospects within the profession.

On the other hand, we had a spree of touring! Adding value to the local culture as well as appreciating the cultural values our students brought us, we learned a lot! We visited some local monuments locally and other many tourist attractions where the students got exposure to our beautiful landscape and environment as well as taking on various outdoor activities and interacting with the local people. I would proudly say that it was a great stay for our exchange student with the following remarks from her: “Heeeey! Thank you for printing the passes for me. You’re really nice. Words cannot express the depth of gratitude I have for you. You made me feel at home in Zim and in your heart Thanks for all the help you offered even when I said no, for all the chairs you pulled for me to have a seat, for the myriads of doors you opened for me, for the drives to and from home, for the activities you organized for me, for the necklace and bracelet, for introducing me to half of your wonderful family, for being generous and honest, for confiding in me at the times you did, for the many photos we had, for the paintball shots (I still owe you some pain hahaha), thank you for everything It is more than I can write here. I am glad to have met you and I believe in fate as well. Let us see what God has in store for us, I am grateful to your parents immensely. Tell them to thank you for allowing you to be with me and for offering the car as well. Lots of love, take care”- Naomi.

On behalf of the ZPSA association, we do look forward to more and more exchange students from around the globe for a prime and educational experience that will protect our pharmaceutical profession, come to Zimbabwe!

By Tanatswa TR Nyamurowa Student Exchange Officer Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Student’s Association

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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African Pharmaceutical Symposium

AFRICAN PHARMACEUTICAL SYMPOSIUM About IPSF AfPS The five Regional Offices of IPSF organise Regional Symposia annually, and they usually last for at most 7 days. The African Pharmaceutical Symposium is the annual regional symposium for AfRO hosted in Africa. It is a one of a kind event hosted by an African country that seeks to improve the relations between pharmacy students from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures, and give them the chance to learn, create, and show their potential early on in their journey to becoming competent professionals and health leaders. The annual event features lectures from experienced professionals, educational and scientific symposia on current

world

problems,

workshops

that

focus

on

sharpening

various

skills

required

of

pharmacy students, and training that help students become great leaders, as well as many other programs that help us to be connected with the global pharmaceutical family.

The African Pharmaceutical Symposium is usually divided into 3 main parts: Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Main Symposium Post-Symposium Tour (PST)

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

1st IPSF AfPS in Algiers, Algeria - 2012 2nd IPSF AfPS in Arusha, Tanzania - 2013 3rd IPSF AfPS in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - 2014 4th IPSF AfPS in Kigali, Rwanda - 2015 5th IPSF AfPS in Mombasa, Kenya - 2016 6th IPSF AfPS in Kumasi, Ghana - 2017 7th IPSF AfPS in Lagos, Nigeria - 2018 8th IPSF AfPS in Kampala, Uganda - 2019 9th IPSF AfPS in Bamako, Mali - 2021

10th IPSF AfPS in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 2022 NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 9th IPSF AfPS scheduled to be hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa was called off, hence the gap in 2020.

Immediate past symposium

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Next symposium

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

“We do not remember days. We remember moments.”

―

Page 40

Cesare Pavese

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”

― Marc Riboud

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

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“What i like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”

― Karl Lagerfeld

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

It is with joy and great gratitude that I address myself to all to thank the organizing committee for the

welcome

above

all

and

the

support

that

AEP

Mali

has

offered

to

us.

also

the

various

interventions of the WHO of the various health professionals of Mali and elsewhere for this beneficial contribution

which

marked

us

And

finally

I

thank

everyone

for

the

moments

spent

together

I

integrated easily. Viva IPSF , Viva la pharmacie

- Mohamed Conté, Guinea Delegate (2021)

L’AfPS 2021 s’est tenu à Bamako au MALI. Nous avons eu l’opportunité d’assister le symposium qui s’est déroulé du 14 au 18 juillet 2021 et aussi au post symposium tour qui s’est tenu du 18 au 20 juillet.

D’abord, l’accueil été formidable. Nous nous sommes sentis chez nous ! Nous pouvions voir ça et là, les différents membres du comité d’accueil nous souriaient et nous abordaient pour nous mettre dans l’ambiance du symposium.

Ensuite, le comité en chargé de l'organisation était vraiment impressionnant ; chacun savait ce qu’il avait à faire. Nous ne manquions de rien. Très souvent, ils nous posaient des questions pour recueillir nos impressions afin de s’améliorer, Ça j’ai trouvé très admirable.

Aussi, les différentes interventions des conférenciers étaient d’une qualité irréprochable. Les salles étaient propres et bien outillées. En outre, les repas étaient délicieux et très copieux. Peut-être pas servis à l’heure, mais l’attente n’était pas désagréable car l’ambiance était très bonne. De plus, les différentes soirées organisées jusqu’à la dernière étaient absolument magiques. Nous dansions, nous rions et chantions à tue-tête.

Nous étions traités comme des autorités. Lors de nos différents déplacements, nous étions précédés d’une escorte de la gendarmerie. Les différentes excursions se sont faites dans des lieux symboliques de la ville et du pays. Ces instants étaient agréables et mémorables. Les membres du bureau de la zone AfRO ont contribué à rendre ce symposium très intéressant. Ils savaient mettre l’ambiance. De temps- à-temps, il le fallait aussi pour chacun d’entre nous.

Je voudrai finir en félicitant tous les étudiants de l’AEP-Mali présents. Ensuite, j’adresse mes sincères remerciements au bureau chargé de l’organisation de ce symposium pour le cadeau de tabaski qu'ils nous ont fait à savoir deux moutons. Enfin, merci à toutes les personnes qui ont travaillé de près ou de loin à la réalisation de ce symposium. Chacun de ces moments restera gravé comme une tache ineffaçable dans ma mémoire.

- Pamela Sawadogo, Burkina Faso Delegate (2021)

Note: This section includes content in either English or French.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Le 9émè congrès au Mali a été une de mes plus belles expériences depuis que j’ai commencé la vie dans cette association. J’ai appris beaucoup de chose sur l’organisation et sur mon domaine (la pharmacie) en discutant avec d’autres personne du même milieu mais qui venaient d’autre pays. J’ai connus beaucoup des personnes qui sont devenus des amis.

- Fanta Toure, Mali Delegate (2021)

The

8th

African

Federation

of

Pharmaceutical

Students

(AfPS)

symposium,

Uganda

was

really

explosive.

- Godsgift Iwendi, Nigeria Delegate (2019) A lot has been learnt. The knowledge and experience. And then, the plenary sessions with the speakers

got me thinking about INNOVATION, ECONOMY AND sustainable DEVELOPMENT in the

☺

healthcare sector. Lol, social events were thrilling

Truly, it was an avenue to learn and network

globally.

- Blessing Inyang, Nigeria Delegate (2018)

Image: Reception Committee of the 9th IPSF AfPS in Bamako, Mali (2021)

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

The 9th African Pharmaceutical Symposium, which took place in Mali in the capital of Bamako, began on the 13th July 2021 by welcoming delegations from different countries.

On July 14, the opening ceremony took place at the Centre International des Conférences de Bamako (CICB) graced by the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy (Prof. Sekou BAH) of the National Council of the Order of Pharmacists and Partners. The inaugural lecture was given by the representative of the World Health Organization.

The symposium was not only rich in sharing culture (Malian night, International Night, Pool party, barbecue party) but also in sharing knowledge with eminent professors and speakers from all over the world. Special gratitude to Pr Rokia Sanogo, Pr Seydou Doumbia, Dr Mounkoro Pierre, Dr Yaya Coulibaly, Dr Mamadou B Coulibaly, Pharm Phumzile Skosana and Dr Rashidatou F Kamara.

We also had moments of discovery at the Mali Zoological Park. Finally, the Main Symposium ended with a Gala Dinner, where there was the presentation of prizes, certificates, and cake cutting in a friendly atmosphere. The Post Symposium Tour began on July 18 with a visit to the town of Siby, the magnificent waterfall, mountain climbing, and hearing about the history of this town from a resident in the area. The second day we went to Koulikoro precisely to the Kangaba Camp, a heavenly place with natural pools. The symposium finally ended with a barbecue party with the delegates.

Moussa Fofana Chairperson 9th IPSF AfPS Reception Committee Bamako, Mali (2021)

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

LIFE LIFE AFTER AFTER GRADUATION GRADUATION

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective One-on-one with Dr Odhiambo David When did you graduate?

I

graduated

from

Jomo

Kenyatta

University

of

Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on June 21, 2019.

That started my journey after school.

How did that period between you finalizing your exams and finishing your internship, shape your mindset in terms of the career you wanted to follow?

I formed my career alignment early in 3rd year. I

How did it feel after graduating? Some young professionals complain of imposter syndrome.

Are you familiar with it?

Well, there are people who complain that life is not as easy as it would be. After school, you are told you did a medical course, and you are among the best.

And then you graduate, and we have to wait for universities, we are not like the University of Nairobi (UON) where we get into internships directly. For us, in JKUAT we have to wait for the board stage one exams,

do

them,

pass,

then

wait

for

posting

for

internship. Then after posting, you do your internship and wait for the board stage 2 exams. It’s a process, even finishing school is a process. After stage two, you have to wait for where you will get your next job or start hustling as usual. For me, the experience wasn’t bad. I would say I am one of the privileged ones.

I

was

lucky

enough

because

I

joined

the

professional association, JKUAT Pharmacy Students Association (JPSA) during my campus life in 2014 as a first-year, third semester. From JPSA I joined the Pharmacy Students Association of Kenya (KEPhSA),

always wanted to get into health systems and health policies. Right now, I am doing regulatory work, and it aligns with health policies. After the internship, it became clearer. I realized most of the things I did during

an

internship,

while

at

Kenyatta

National

Hospital (KNH), we had trouble accessing medicines and moving around the wards, pharmacists are not participating

in

the

clinical

practice

as

medical

experts. Are we offering that extra knowledge we have? If we are not, then what value does it have on society? My younger brother can dispense as well. I also

realized

that

if

I

also

opened

a

community

pharmacy to change the practice, was also not the way

to

go.

Opening

a

hospital

is

also

limiting

because I can only impact people in that space, but if

I

join

policy,

I

can

influence

those

who

are

financing health systems, and thus if the financial model is helping everyone, the system is improving. If the training of health care workers is optimal, then we are certain these people are delivering quality healthcare, as an end goal. If we want to ensure a multidisciplinary level, then it is also at the policy level.

where I became the president in 2016.

After From

that,

attended

I

interacted

conferences

with

and

other

all,

and

professionals, graduated

in

2019 June. A week before that, I had already started my

first

job

Healthcare meeting

I

as

a

project

Federation. had

with

associate

This

one

was

of

with

Kenya

courtesy

the

of

doctors,

a

who

introduced me to the Kenya Health Federation (KHF) team when I was in attachment. Over that period, I was also supporting one Dr Mwaniki at his pharmacy, doing some IT-related stuff. From there, I have never been

jobless.

considered

The

good

money for

a

I

was

making

pharmacist,

but

was it

not

was

a

starting point, you start at a lower point and as you gain experience and as you get to know people in the space, it opens more opportunities, and that’s where I am.

finishing,

my

internship,

the

experience

was

good. On-campus, I had the theoretical perspective, and then when you get to the hospital, you realize these things are happening. There was a case where I lost a kid at KNH, because of an insufficient supply of

medicines

donated

to

for

the

Leishmania.

country.

These

Someone,

in

drugs the

are

supply

chain management area, did not do the right thing, and that is why we did not have supplies in KNH for that

period,

and

then

there

was

also

delayed

diagnosis. The child was admitted on a Thursday and died on Saturday because of a collapse in the policy framework. That influenced me to join policy. After that, at the end of the day, we have to eat. As such, we have to take what is available. I had positioned myself in alignment with my interest, so when jobs came, they were aligned to my interests and that is how I got my job.

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AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

In your experience over the internship, is there an aspect you loved the most and is there an aspect you hated?

Can you share with us some of the areas where you dabbled in apart from a pharmacy?

Hate is a strong word. I did not prefer my industrial

did farm growing up, so I bought some pieces of

pharmacy rotation. I felt I could have done more

land that are now being used productively by my

than what I was doing. Often, I was just packing. Is it

parents and siblings. Those parcels that were a bit

worth

distant from home, I planted trees on them. At the

the

money

I

was

earning?

I

loved

retail

I have invested in a couple of long-term projects. We

pharmacy as a concept, but in practice, I did not like

same

selling drugs. In general, I did not like the fact that

Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI), where

people are not keen to try new ideas.

I invested my time and commitment in that space.

time,

I

was

doing

a

job

with

the

Kenya

Through that investment, I learned and interacted Working under someone does not allow you to try out

with people in the industry. Because of that I now

new ideas. But most times, nothing was tried out or

have this job.

adopted and I did not like that. I love pharmacy, but I dislike being in a place where you don’t see the value you are creating.

Did your social circles change?

Definitely, that is a standard. Did the people you met on campus, your friends, or your classmates? What

You were paid over the internship. Do you feel like the money changed you over time?

Personally, I don’t think it changed me. It taught me to think better about money. We come from different settings and as such we have different life goals. I started pushing myself from the first year. For me, I made that money, and I also did some side jobs, which helped me not spend the internship money. I saved it and did other projects and investments.

was the initial premise for your to meet? So, the school brought you together. When you completed the

journey

separate

of

paths.

because

of

because

I

schooling, Some

mutual

used

to

of

value.

everyone them If

I

photocopy

went

remain

was your

their

friends

your

friend

notes,

after

campus I no longer need to photocopy notes, so why would I need you? It is just a fact of life. Once that phase those

is

done,

people

you

who

have are

to

be

helping

intentional you

about

achieve

your

aspirations or hold you accountable.

Do you think it is essential that the young pharmacists, explore other fields besides pharmacy for making money?

It is okay to explore. Whatever makes you happy, and makes you money, go for it. The key thing for me is alignment with my career development. Any other

We graduated as a total of 41 Bachelor of Pharmacy degree holders. The next time we met as classmates, was during the Stage II Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) exams. After that, I assure you I have only met less than 5. The campus was convenient, and in a past life, everyone must do things their own way.

projects I take need to be aligned to my career and professional development. I also consider the time commitment.

If it is not building your career and it is taking your time, then you’ll end up dropping pharmacy. But if it

Where do you see the profession evolving to? Is the profession bound to die, or are we going to reinvent ourselves into something more meaningful?

is your interest, then go for it. at the end of the day,

As a profession, we are getting better. The question

we have to eat and ensure our responsibilities are

is, are we willing to do the work? It is the worst point

met.

in time for the profession. There are seven

Page 48

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued universities Kenya,

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

graduating

without

pharmacists

guaranteed

every

employment

year

from

in

the

I

have

access

to

online

resources,

and

I

can

integrate with other teams. I can start implementing

government. We now have to use our brains and

ideas

think outside the box. What value can we create in

implementing practical solutions. So, I do not have

this space? In 3 to 5 years, we are still going to have

to prove I have the knowledge through a piece of

the

paper.

same

challenges.

But

after

that,

new

value

within

the

company,

so

I

can

start

systems will be created, and people will venture into new spaces. For instance, Dr Njenga Muiruri works

Is Regulatory Affairs the field that the profession is opening up to? Can we call it the new frontier?

with Ponea Health that deals with telehealth.

Because we are trying to create extra value, we are going

evolving.

I won’t call it the new frontier. It is just a specific

Currently, the United States International University -

to

improve.

area that has been in place for so long, we just did

Africa (USIU-A) is trying to bring in new programs

not explore it. initially, it was about documentation

such

and

as

Even

immunization,

the

training

vaccination,

is

and

sexual

compilation

of

dossiers.

So

people

would

reproductive health. These are additional skill sets

employ anyone with a science background and who

that

understood

can

be

utilized

in

creating

value,

and

the

pharmacy practice will change. Now we suffer, but

they

after that more areas will open up.

Currently,

the

needed

drug

from

more

development

a

pharmacist

pharmacists

process. was

are

a

What

license.

needed

in

the

space because PPB needs qualified people who will

Where do you see yourself in five to ten years, careerwise?

I have not yet settled on where I am heading, but I will be in the pharmacy space. I have a company, Ryculture Health that I am trying to drive and see whether I can create value in the healthcare space and also in the human capital development centre. I am also part of the African pharmaceutical sector that

is

systems

focused within

on

strengthening

the

continent

by

pharmaceutical leveraging

our

capabilities and collaborating with stakeholders. I have

family

businesses

that

I

support,

but

my

interests are in the healthcare space, and so I’ll do that in the long term. For employment, I might be there for the next 10 to 15 years. After that, I’ll leave

What would be your preferred discipline for your masters?

I can do a Master’s in public policy and international then

because

I

have

an

interest

in

marketing and policy. Looking at it practically, the company I work for has given me a platform to grow.

Page 49

Secondly,

we

have

more

investment

in

the

pharmaceutical space in Africa. In Kenya, we have the

PPB.

In

Community

East

Africa,

Medicines

we

have

Regulatory

East

African

Harmonization

(EAC-MRH), which ensures harmonized registration of

medicines

in

the

region.

We

also

have

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which

has

a

medicine

harmonization

program.

In

2012, We also had African regulatory harmonization, which

supports

all

other

regional

regulatory

harmonization. These initiatives are creating room for Regulatory Affairs specialists to help open up the African market. Even manufacturing companies are increasing, meaning more work for inspection, and registration.

and do my own thing.

development,

actually apply pharmaceutical knowledge.

How do you maintain your work-life balance?

What are your hobbies and interest?

I work, and I work a lot. I love what I do. You’ll find me working at 1 AM in the morning. Outside work, I enjoy reading just for the fun of reading. I also take time to relax and think. Once in a while, I unplug and shut down every device in my house. I also hang out

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

with friends and family, once in a while. But I have very interesting nieces that keep me company over the weekend, with a lot of noise and games.

What are some of the biggest challenges that face the youth in your country? What would you change to make life easier for young professionals who are entering the market?

I would change the value system of all pharmacists.

our campus days, we would be keen on driving value

Dr Odhiambo David

and making an impact in their spaces. Work ethic

Regulatory Affairs Associate

If we changed our value system and put in work from

could be there.

Cofounder Ryculture Health

Also, I would foster collaborative frameworks. How would we work together to create value? If we can quantify the value that everyone is bringing then, we would be achieving the results that we want.

What is your take on cryptocurrency?

I am not a believer. It is virtual money that is not backed

by

anything.

It

is

something

we

believe

exists. How would you quantify that value? However, I

believe

in

the

blockchain.

framework

From

the

it

is

embedded

pharmacy

in

–

component,

blockchain technology is useful in tracing falsified products

and

parallel

imports.

The

framework

good, but I wouldn’t bet on the currency.

Any last words or comments or parting shot?

Leverage the power of networks.

Page 50

is

Accredited IPSF Trainer

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective One-on-one with Grace Adebayo What university did you go to and when did you graduate?

I

attended

Nigeria

the

and

I

University was

of

Uyo,

inducted

in

into

the

the

south

of

Pharmacist

Council of Nigeria (PCN) in July 2020.

And

like

The system in Nigeria is a little different from other

explained

earlier,

without

a

provisional

So, you could imagine all of us staying at home for months just waiting. When the time for the induction came, it was a virtual one which was the first in the history

How does it work in Nigeria? Do you graduate and become a doctor or is there an internship period?

I

license, one cannot apply for internship placement.

of

our

school.

I

couldn’t

invite

friends

for

celebrations afterwards. Nonetheless, it was exciting and I'm grateful to God for the journey so far.

How has the job been so far?

countries; depending on the school you attended, you can either obtain the PharmD or the BPharm

I intern at a government-owned hospital, and most

degree. PharmD runs for 6 years and BPharm runs for

internship placements for hospitals are either owned

5 years. After graduation, both degree holders will

by

have to obtain a provisional license from the council

schedule is basically the same thing every day. For

which is a prerequisite to start the internship. The

someone who does not like doing the same thing

internship

over and over, it sometimes gets boring. I also do

runs

for

a

year

at

a

council

approved

the

state

or

federal

government.

The

work

year

community practice from time to time but it is not

compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in

something I see myself specializing in, in the long

a

a

run. I am only just getting started in the profession,

exams

and I know I have a whole lot to unlearn and learn

centre

and

bid

to

afterwards,

serve

permanent

our

license,

there

father's

there

is

a

land.

are

one

To

obtain

professional

before I find my feet.

that have to be done after the internship.

Is there any particular difference between PharmD and BPharm?

There are differences between both degrees which

Have you heard of the impostor syndrome? Have you ever gone through it?

cuts across the training period and practice. As a

Yes, I've heard of the imposter syndrome and from

PharmD holder, you are more clinically inclined and

studies, it can affect anyone in any profession. As for

can diagnose and prescribe when the need arises.

ever going through it, that should be when I just

As a BPharm holder, you handle prescriptions and

started practising; that feeling of self doubt that

dispense. Regardless of the degree obtained, the

urges you to go back to the books and research. I

goal

quality

think the beautiful thing about our profession is that

pharmaceutical care services to patients and avoid

you learn on the job and it's a continuous learning

potential

process

of

the

or

practice

actual

has

drug

been

to

therapy

deliver

problems

while

because

you

never

stop

reading

and

carrying out our duties as pharmacist.

researching.

How did it feel on your graduation and induction?

So does that mean for you, the title and job may have been a little intimidating to begin with but with time you have settled in?

I got inducted during the COVID pandemic when everything

was

on

lockdown.

I

had

finished

my

project and had defended it in March 2020. But then,

the

lockdown

started

afterwards

and

the

expectation of getting inducted immediately after my defence was crushed.

Honestly, it took a while to get used to the title. As a health professional, people come to you, expecting you to know it all but that's not really the case all of the time. Over time, I have learnt that it is okay to refer to reference books whenever you are unsure of a drug or the dosage because like the saying goes;

Page 51

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued A

doctor

can

kill

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2 one

patient

at

a

time

but

a

money

but

to

help

me

in

my

graduate

school

pharmacist can kill a thousand patients by one single

applications. There are other areas that have struck

mistake. So as a licensed drug Lord, learn to cross

my interest like cryptocurrency and data analysis, of

your

which I believe after I become an expert, it will serve

Ts

and

dot

your

Is

before

dispensing.

With

continuous practice, it only gets better.

as another stream of income for me.

Are you remunerated for the work you do over your internship?

Yes,

we

are

renumerated

for

the

period

of

the

What kind of research do you do? What is the area of interest?

My areas of interest are public health, global health, non-communicable

diseases,

antimicrobial

internship. Interns are entitled to a certain amount

resistance, and infectious diseases. Nonetheless, it is

every month but this varies depending on the field

still early in my career and I am still exploring.

which includes: hospital, academic, administrative, community and industrial practice.

What financial advice would you give those pharmacists in school?

How much are you remunerated?

On the health service scale of payment, interns are on

the

COHESS

8

level

which

is

equivalent

to

In school, you’ll be told about how you’ll be so rich immediately after school. The excitement may make you

130,000-140,000 Naira per month.

relax

leverage

and and

not

invest.

see In

areas the

in

real

which world,

you

can

those

are

myths and as a pharmacy student, you have to think

How would you term the remuneration? Is it lifechanging or is it just enough to get by?

It is just enough to get by looking as there's inflation in the country and the prices of things keep going higher every time I visit the market. The remuneration could be better considering the present economy.

beyond

your

confinement.

When

I

was

an

undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to try different things for income and that led me to do decorations. My advice for students is: Don’t Settle, learn to try new things because you will never know the world of possibilities that await you if you don't try. This is the period to discover yourself, what you love doing and just maybe it will serve as an extra

From where you sit, if you had the power to change that, would you change it?

Most definitely I will. As a person, if you have been through

a

phase

where

you

know

things

were

difficult and you are in a position to do better, then you do better. So, I will.

source of income for you in the future. Recently I began taking classes in data analysis because of my love for health technology. There are pharmacists who are successful artists, designers, photographers and lots more. The profession is broad and versatile so in summary, explore and try new things until you get to a place that is comfortable for you and you are happy in it.

What other areas have you dabbled in apart from pharmacy for making money?

As a student, I was into the interior and exterior decorations. I am not yet invested in it but I intend to in the future. I also do researches which are not for

Page 52

When do you plan on doing your masters and what would be your area of mastery?

I intend on doing a master’s in public health, global health or international health. I am more of a field person, who loves talking and interacting with

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

people. I believe a master’s in these specialities will provide

me

policies

with

and

the

opportunity

implementations

to

engage

regarding

in the

improvement of health not just in the African region

Given the chance to work for your country or work abroad, which would you choose? Where would you feel you will have made the impact you seek?

but across the globe. I presume I will be able to further my studies after I'm done with my internship

I think the goal for me has been to serve humanity be

and NYSC.

it in my home country or abroad, I want to make a difference wherever I find myself. I most certainly

How would you marry pharmacy and public health?

want

to

Nigeria won't

further and

be

my

studies

afterwards,

limited

from

outside

wherever making

the

I

an

shores

find

of

myself,

impact

in

I

my

country.

The versatility of pharmacy makes it possible for us to go into public health. As pharmacists, we also have the responsibility to contribute to public health efforts by providing population-based care, disease prevention

and

control

programs,

and

health

What do you do to manage work stress? What are your hobbies and interests?

education, by contributing to public policy efforts I am a very energetic person. I am the life of the party if you must say. I love to sing and dance. I also

You work at a neuropsychiatric hospital. Do you have any interest in neuropsychiatry?

run from time to time which I find to be very helpful. I love

to

engage

with

new

people

and

just

enjoy

talking and laughing.

My stay in the hospital has been very impactful and informative. I have acquired a pool of knowledge not just

about

neuropsychiatric

conditions

and

their

medications but how the tertiary hospital functions in

Do you still have your social circles from your university years?

general. Recently I started a Patient safety podcast with my friend, Pharmacist Alison and our scope of

Yes,

discussion also cuts across mental health.

university. I am of the belief that the relationships I

I

still

have

my

social

circle

of

friends

from

build over the years are of great significance in my journey. So as much as I can, I try to maintain both

Is the profession evolving towards something better or are we dying?

old

and

new

relationships.

Presently,

I

work

with

some of my colleagues from school days and I have also made new friends.

Growth

is

a

process

and

like

we've

all

seen,

the

profession is evolving. For something to be better, lots

of

policies

have

to

be

made

and

implementations have to be done. Our profession requires us to deal with people directly hence in our

What challenges are youth in Nigeria facing and what practical solutions can you give to solve those solutions?

growth process, we have to ensure that people are satisfied

with

the

services

we

provide

be

it

drug

The challenges faced by the youths worldwide are

services or pharmaceutical care services. I believe

numerous. But I think the one that's of great concern

the profession is getting better both nationally and

to me is the pressure to succeed, this factor alone

Internationally.

has made lots of youths make poor decisions. If I were to proffer a solution to this, I will create a system in which youths can have access to support

Page 53

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued groups

in

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

their

various

communities.

For

other

challenges faced by the youth, the government has a big role to play likewise other citizens. As we also expect that the government will do things in a better way, we also need citizens to do their own part. This comes as a piece of advice that wherever you find yourself, as a pharmacist, teacher, trader etc. ensure that you are giving your best and doing your own part in a bit not to make things worse than they were.

Grace Adebayo

What’s your take on cryptocurrency?

Researcher

Cryptocurrency, I am told, is a digital way of making

Past IPSF AfRO Team

money after investments. I am not an expert on this

Projects Subcommittee (2018/19)

but I am open to learning since it is a legal means of making money.

Any takeaway or parting shot?

Life after pharmacy school is mostly not like the fairy tale you've been told. So I'll advise you to brace yourself

up

for

opportunities, engage

in

it.

so

these

The be

profession

prepared

opportunities.

to The

offers

lots

explore world

of

and

as

we

know is changing, and it is changing really fast. So, wherever

you

are

reading

this,

be

prepared

change with it. It can only get better my friends.

Page 54

to

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective One-on-one with Mercy Kamya When did you graduate and where did you graduate from?

I

graduated

in

February

2020

from

where

we

we

have

graduate

a a

strange year

graduation

before

we

things you may need to learn on the job.

Makerere

University, Kampala with a Bachelor of Pharmacy.

However,

be able to train someone, but there are a lot of

period

clear

our

internship. So, I cleared school in 2019, and by the

Are you familiar with impostor syndrome? Did you go through that at some point, and do you think the title and the job is intimidating for some young professionals?

time we graduated, I was already working.

I think that it depends on how ready someone is, the

How would graduation?

you

describe

the

feeling

on

mentors

that

someone

has,

and

the

nature

of

exposure that they have. My time working in the field has taught me that the impostor syndrome is real,

I was excited. I was relieved. It had been almost

and that young professionals are valuable, but you

impossible. You know those days when you are doing

may not know that when you are trying to get into

pharmaceutical chemistry, and you are running all

the job market. It becomes very easy for others to

these projects, it sometimes seems like you are not

take

going to get out of school. So, I was excited that

have

that phase of my life was complete. I was genuinely

before,

grateful.

questions,

advantage impostor but

of

young

syndrome.

I

had

and

I

the

did

pharmacists So,

right

a

I

have

when

they

faced

that

guidance,

little

bit

of

the

right

background

research. One thing that I have learned about the

Are you remunerated during your internship period?

work

environment

is

that

you

not

only

have

to

negotiate the finances but also things to do with your work environment. Essentially, you must value

Yes, we are. We are paid roughly $200 a month.

yourself.

How is your internship structured?

We work in such a way that you work in a regional referral or national referral hospital for six months, and then you have three months of rotating in a regulatory

authority

or

industry,

and

then

another

three months in a supply chain setting. What’s unique about it is that you can select whether you want to do your internship in a regulatory agency or in a supply chain agency. So, the only compulsory thing is the

clinical

rotation.

So,

there

are

a

lot

of

opportunities to get a lot of information.

Do you think the internship structure is sufficient to give newly graduated pharmacists the required foundation as they launch their profession?

I would give it a 70%. It can make people ready. The only challenge is that when it comes to things like compliance, a lot of things must be self-driven. The opportunity to learn may be there, but you need a self-driven pharmacist to step in and get to learn.

You are now an adult, and no one is going to make you accountable for a missed session. So, it should

Page 55

How did your internship period shape your choice of practice?

Well, I have always been working while studying. So, by

the

time

I

left

school,

I

had

a

lot

of

unpaid

experience. I love research, and the reason why I am working in two separate places that are distant is that I am a researcher and I needed answers in both areas. But as they say, Rome was not built in a day.

So, for you to be able to advance in any of the sectors, you must give it time. What gave me an edge was that I started working in 2nd year. When you

look

at

my

experience

with

formulation

and

industry, that was my first love. I started doing that in 2015. I would do a lot of unpaid volunteer at the Uganda

Industrial

Research

Institute.

I

was

spearheading formulation projects with my university, trying to revive the fire of pharmacists being involved in

the

formulation

compounding

event

and that

R&D.

was

the

I

organized

first

one

in

a the

college at the time. So, it was a passion that I really kept burning. I had to build my own lab so that I can do my R&D on my own. The reason why it is possible

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

to do them when it comes to doing research in a

relevant courses. Focus is also important because

structured

However,

three years ago, I drew a five-year plan. Knowing

when you are doing it in an independent setting, and

where you are going helps you to plan, and it helps

you have laid a foundation over years, it is easy to

you

delegate because the system is already in place. For

places you want to be.

setting,

you

cannot

multitask.

to

prioritize

and

focus

your

energies

on

the

instance, you dedicated three hours a day to the lab. When it comes to clinical care, I am in oncology.

I started getting a passion for oncology when I was placed in a cancer institute during my fourth year. I did my undergraduate research project in oncology.

I just developed an interest, without knowing that that is where my first job would come from. And for

Apart from a pharmacy, are there other areas where you have dabbled in to make ends meet or just out of sheer interest?

I used to write. I used to be into music though with the pandemic that is no longer possible. Those are the areas I have been involved in.

young pharmacists, sometimes you may have to do what you have available because you do not have another choice. I just got lucky that the things I love to do, are what I got employed for.

Is it essential that every young pharmacist explores other areas besides pharmacy?

It is dependent on the person. Pharmacy is such a

When it comes to my journey in formulation, I started

wide field. I usually ask people to be sure before

early, and the fire kept growing. When things went

they do a course. But if someone finds themselves

well,

started

doing pharmacy and it is not their major passion and

noticing that I have gifts and they would give me

they can do something else, I will not stop them from

projects. For example, the Society of Uganda gave

exploring where they want to be. It is just that I am

me a project to set up a lab. So, because of my

not a big fan of wasted time. But I wouldn’t inhibit

passion, I found myself in places and mostly because

anyone from finding who they are.

I

gained

more

courage

and

people

of volunteering and being successful. I also worked at the National Chemotherapeutics Lab where I got a lot of information about clinical trials and setting up Good Manufacturing Practices. By the time an opportunity

came

to

be

a

Quality

Assurance

Manager, I had already been through a lot. So, most of the work that led me to be qualified was unpaid work. It was just that I had the passion and I looked for ways to express it. The good thing is that it paid

How do you think the profession is going to evolve nationally and internationally?

I think we are going to be centred around skill and evidence-based approaches. It is going to be very centred on innovation because the obsolete rate is quite high. You can be the best at something, six months later if you are not consistently learning, you are still not going to be relevant. There is also going

back.

to be a lot of growth in technology. In Uganda, the

Apart from passion, what other key ingredient is necessary for such a steady progression in career over time?

profession is only 32 years old, and pharmacists are very valuable. However, our numbers are going to rise quickly in the next five years because there are so many pharmacists. Though our relevance in the

I believe that your network is extremely important.

And

your

network

is

not

always

your

boss or the

chairperson of somewhere, but it begins from the way you treat people and the way you work with people. It becomes helpful in seeing where you go next. Also, passion was a driver, but it wasn’t just about

passion.

It

was

a

passion

that

led

me

to

improve myself and develop myself. So, when you develop

yourself,

you

make

yourself

more

marketable. That boils down to doing targeted and

Page 56

hospital is not clear. Getting to a place where there is value addition even in resource-limited settings will

be

key

for

the

profession.

Innovation

and

research need to be done to improve and create sustainable change that fits our setting. There is also going to be growth in advocacy, speciality areas especially

ambulatory

care,

informatics, and many new fields.

pharmacogenetics,

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Where do you see yourself career-wise in the next five to ten years?

What financial advice would you give newly graduated pharmacists?

The pace at which current systems are moving is

I would ask them to plan. After that discuss it with

quite fast, and that is why it has taken me quite a

people.

short time to achieve what I wanted to achieve. In

who will guide you on how to spend your money. You

the next 10 to 20 years, I see myself as a researcher

might find that you can invest in farming, and it will

and majorly I will be dealing in genetics. I want to

work

develop

money.

sustainable

systems,

especially

in

Sometimes

for

you.

So,

Do

it

will

not

research

plan

set

a

be

on

your

how

target,

to

and

colleagues

invest

find

your

ways

to

chemotherapy at the genetic level. I prefer natural

achieve your goal. Do not despise any salary and

remedies, but I am waiting to see if that is possible. I

negotiate extremely so that you are not exploited.

also see myself studying a lot on toxicity and how

After

our environment predisposes us to certain diseases.

investing it in the best way. Invest in career growth

Finally, I also see myself as an advocate for Global

and

Health

study,

and

I

want

to

be

able

to

impact

my

profession from a place of hard work and service.

earning

teaching the

investment.

a

consistent

yourself.

more

salary,

find

Sometimes,

you

Remember

earn. to

save

a

the

way

more

Education with

of

you

is

an

friends.

It

is

easier to save with groups than to save alone. Save before you spend.

How would you describe remuneration in Uganda?

It

depends.

For

someone

who

the

internship Also,

has

never

earned

money, it helps to make ends meet. Most people start working in community pharmacies in the second or third year, so they already have a side income.

Adding that remuneration to them potentially makes them happy people. Though our taxes are very high.

When

you

are

a

pharmacist,

you

are

entitled

to

roughly four times the figure you earn during the

we

need

to

consider

the

value

of

ideas.

Sometimes we look at money in terms of how much we are being paid for our work. However, I think the greatest wealth that young pharmacists have is their ideas and their time. Half of the time, when you meet a pharmacist who is wealthier than you, your advantage is going to be your ideas. So, focusing on working on those ideas will grow more money for someone in the long run.

internship.

What were graduating?

your

financial

goals

after

Well, the pandemic came right after graduation, and

My goals were quite high, but I had to plan with what I had. I wanted to have my factory running but it requires a lot of capital. So, my goals became a long term and it involved planning, investing, and saving. I have especially learned a lot about saving.

My

financial

goals

have

evolved

from

‘this

is

the

amount of money I want to earn a month’ to ‘this is what I am earning every month, how do I make it grow?’. I came to a point where, based on my goals and where I want to be, I might turn down a job paying $8000 for one that is paying $1000 because I have

an

underlying

interest

that

has

long-term

benefit. I like sustainability, and I am careful about how I spend and how I invest.

Page 57

Did your social circles change once you graduated?

it had a big impact on social life. It is probably why my

social

circles

didn’t

change

much.

I

am

a

hoarder. I still have my friends from baby class. So, I keep my friends. My social circles did not change much

though

changed.

I

the

used

to

nature

of

take

longer

a

my

relationships time

to

make

friends when I was younger. You had school, and if you

don’t

become

their

friend

today,

you

have

tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. That is not the

case

now,

friendship-making commitment,

I

and

everyone

was

is

faster.

understood

busy.

In

So,

my

terms

of

responsibility.

In

friendships, responsibility goes beyond saying nice things about one another and all the emotional stuff.

Sometimes it is about being practical. I understood

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

that it is important to be intentional and practical.

Even

when

you

are

having

a

busy

day,

you

What is your take on cryptocurrency?

must

intentionally keep in touch with your friends. So, you call them and check up on them despite being busy.

Half of the time, they are also not having a good day and they are feeling alone. So, you reaching out to them makes them feel like you care. You don’t have to be a hoarder like me though. You can always live in the moment. There are always new and interesting

I really don’t understand it. My interest has been on and off but then sometime last year something did not go right, and I thought they had resolved it. I have

not

given

it

enough

time

to

actually

truly

believe what they are saying is solid. Though I like the fact that the money is traceable and an audit trail is easy to track. It sounds like a good idea, but I do not know if it is a scam yet. I have trust issues.

people to meet all the time.

How do you maintain your work-life balance?

What hobbies and interests do you have?

What is your parting shot?

I love movies. I hang out with my friends and talk to

Give yourself to what you are doing. As a young

them.

pharmacist, there is power in unity and

I

love

music

as

well

as

reading.

Though

sometimes, it comes in phases because you have to

serving. Sometimes it may not be noticed, but it does

do a lot in terms of work to get things done. Keeping

not make it insignificant.

myself

around

people

helps

me

a

lot

because

it

keeps me from zoning out and losing social skills. I try staying around people. I keep people around me I check on my family and it helps me stay in check. I also have great colleagues at work, so it is easy to keep on being happy and being jolly.

What do you think are the biggest challenges young professionals face in your country and what do you think you can do to solve these problems?

I

think

There

the are

biggest so

many

challenge young

is

the

glass

pharmacists

ceiling.

with

great

ideas, but they do not have a way to have them come to life. Secondly, there is little information on professional growth and in a culture that does not

Mercy Kamya Quality Assurance Manager

value competence, it can affect you in the future.

Professional available.

growth Thirdly,

programs networking

need

to

needed

be to

made stay

relevant in the career is also lacking. That gap needs to

be

addressed

because

without

the

right

guidance, we may only be relevant for our time. To tackle

these

challenges,

it

starts

with

communication. I am a people person, so people are willing to grow. So, giving them the information and guiding them is important so that they can take up available opportunities. Mentorship tailored towards a shift in career growth is also important.

Page 58

Past IPSF AfRO RWG Chairperson of the 8th IPSF AfPS

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective

One-on-one with Jacob Enchill

When did you graduate?

When you graduated, did you go through it or was it easier for you?

I graduated in the summer of 2018 from the Kwame When I graduated, I had already psyched myself, so I

Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

had no impostor syndrome. I enjoyed it. Immediately I

How did it feel after graduation?

graduated I already had a job. I was doing three jobs. I was working as a medical representative in

It felt good, and we were so happy that we were

the afternoons, and I was doing hospital work in the

done. We were the first batch of PharmD students in

mornings. So, I didn’t feel any pressure or any kind of

Ghana, so it felt like a landmark for pharmacy in

impostor syndrome.

Ghana. Since I graduated, all BPharm in Ghana has changed to PharmD, and we enjoyed it.

How did this period shape your choice of career path and/or area of practice?

Is there a difference between Bpharm and PharmD in Ghana?

I had to multitask and cut down on my waste of time and, I had to also focus on approaching doctors and

PharmD

is

more

focused

on

patient-centred

care

nurses especially with the medical rep field. Having

than BPharm, and it makes it more clinical compared

presentations,

to the BPharm.

clinical practice in the morning during ward rounds,

running

around,

and

growing

the

and then having the community practice over the

In Ghana, do you have to do a post-graduation internship?

Yes, we call it the house service. So, once you finish your PharmD, you graduate the same year and then you have roughly a month to write your pharmacy qualification

exams.

Then

you

do

the

weekend. It helped me appreciate pharmacy more because I am in the chain line of pharmacy practice i.e.,

from

the

industry

to

the

medical

rep

to

the

hospital and then to the community pharmacy. So, I really appreciated the job more rather than being in one sector of the industry and being bored.

mandatory

national house service in which you’ll be paid as a pharmacist.

Where are you currently practicing?

Right now I am trying to get my license in the UK, so I

How is the house service structured?

It is mainly hospital pharmacy for PharmD. But for Bpharm it is open. You can be a teaching assistant,

have started the journey. I am also a student trainee with Imperial NHS Trust. So, after that, I will need to go through a couple of years before I get qualified in the UK.

or you can do some community pharmacy service, and then you must do hospital.

How does the UK practice differ from the practice in Ghana?

Have you heard about the impostor syndrome?

There I think I have heard about it.

is

a

vast

difference.

In

the

UK,

there

is

a

national health insurance system that covers the cost of

every

healthcare

delivery

apart

from

your

prescriptions. So, each line of prescription comes with a service charge of between 9 and 10 pounds.

For

the

healthcare

delivery

when

you

go

to

hospital from admissions to the pharmacy to the

Page 59

the

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

ward, everything is free. Emergency healthcare, any form of surgery is also free. Chemotherapy is also free.

The

only

thing

you

pay

for

is

when

you

go

collect your medication as every line of medication comes

with

a

service

charge.

We

also

have

a

continuous prescription, where instead of going to the doctor every time to collect your prescription the doctor

sends

your

prescription

directly

to

the

pharmacy. So, when they see you, they prepare and dispense your prescription, and every month you go for a refill. Unless the GP wants to see you review your medication, then the community pharmacy will continue prescribing the medications to you. When you

go

to

the

hospital

and

there

is

any

form

of

changes, you are admitted to the hospital and they do a medical reconciliation, and probably a doctor

How do you think the pharmacy profession is going to evolve?

In Ghana, it is already evolving. It is focused more on patient-centred care and individualized treatment.

This was not the case a few years ago. Particularly, management based on clinical guidelines are being adhered to, and hospitals are coming up with their own

clinical

guidelines

individualized

treatment

Internationally, individualized meeting

the

for is

world

treatment.

the

treatment.

the

best

has

The

Sustainable

I

way

gone

focus

is

think

to

go.

beyond now

development

on

goals.

Bringing healthcare to the doorstep of the patient is the priority. All over Europe, every healthcare system has

a

delivery

channel

that

is

closer

to

and

convenient for the patient.

from the hospital feels that a medication should be changed, the GP sends a depart prescription to your local GP, where the details are amended and then they

send

it

to

the

community

pharmacy.

In

Were you guys remunerated after graduation?

a

summary, that is how the chain looks like. So, it is a

We

much better healthcare system than what we have in

hospital. I do not remember the amount though.

were

paid

as

an

entrance

pharmacist

in

the

Ghana. Apart from that, all have their negatives and positives. Even among all this they still have private

What were your financial goals at the time?

hospitals here, so I guess everyone wants to do what Financial goals keep changing but at the time, I did

they want to do. Otherwise, it is okay here.

not have any specific ones. At the minimum, I just

Have you dabbled in areas other than Pharmacy to make money or just out of sheer interest?

I have not started any businesses outside Pharmacy

wanted

be

independent

and

take

that

weight

away from my parents because they had done a lot for

me

to

finish

school.

Now,

my

goals

keep

changing and things keep coming up, so I do not have

practice. I am looking forward to it though.

to

any

specific

financial

goals.

I

just

keep

changing goals as things go along.

Where do you see yourself career wise in the next five or ten years?

In

the

next

five

years,

I

would

like

to

switch

Did you finance your switch from Ghana to the UK, or were you funded?

professions. I am thinking of having two professions.

I’d like to switch to either law or ambulatory care and add them to the pharmacy profession.

I financed it. I used my savings in Ghana to finance it.

How do you imagine yourself merging law and pharmacy?

What financial advice would you give to newly graduated pharmacists?

Ignorance is a disease. So, I just want to know what

You can’t eat your cake and have it. So, if you are

the law says, and this will enable me to be good and

spending money, then do not expect to have money.

efficient with what I do. Every profession has a legal

Just

aspect, and thus understanding law enables one to

monthly salary and if possible, get additional sources

better understand governing regulations and avoid

of income to be able to sustain you.

lawsuits.

Page 60

try

and

save

a

minimal

amount

out

of

your

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

What would be your advice for those who want to emigrate from their country for study or for work?

That is an individual choice, and it is very difficult to give advice on that. All I can say is if you can move, and you think that is what you want, have a goal, and sit down with your family and think about it. look

What is your parting shot?

I am glad that IPSF has taken this step and I am excited about the new crop of students coming out.

Do not lose hope. Keep on going and keep on doing what you do. At the end of the day, you’ll benefit. I hope

we’ll

also

get

to

socialize

at

the

at the pros and cons because some aspects of your life

will

change.

You

also

need

to

consider

your

personality and see whether you can fit in.

On social life, did your social circles change after graduation?

It

changed

a

bit

because

I

left

the

student

environment and came to the work environment. So, everyone

tends

to

be

busy

and

focusing

on

their

work. So, there is less interaction with people. But when I came to the UK, it changed drastically. Just a few

of

my

friends

were

able

to

reach

out

and

I

reached out to some of them. As time goes on, some fall away, and you add other friends to your circle.

So, it balances out. Those are the changes.

Jacob Enchill PharmD. MPSGh Past IPSF AfRO RWG Chairperson (2017/18)

How do you maintain your work-life balance?

I rest a lot and I make sure I have my eight hours of sleep. I also try and rest over the weekends and do a little bit of personal shopping. On the weekdays, I focus on the work.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I play football every Tuesday with my colleagues. I love swimming but I do not have any pools close to me right now. So, it is just football. I also watch a lot of football.

What is your take on cryptocurrency?

gain. Those who started earlier have gotten more

Emmanuella Nzeribe

out of it. Right now, it is too crowded and the more

Researcher

I am not a fan of it. Because you lose more than you

crowded it is, the more difficult it is for people to enter and make profits. As such I am not a fan of it.

Past IPSF AfRO RWG Regional Relations Officer (2019/20)

Page 61

next

continental conference after the pandemic passes.

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective One-on-one with Emmanuella Nzeribe How did it feel after graduation?

What mindset shift did you get at this point?

Just like every other person, I was happy. I am happy

A mindset shift I had was that I could do anything I

to be done with school. It feels good to be done

wanted. I was the kind of person that had a limit to

with exams well at least in the meantime. However,

the kind of things I could do as an undergrad. As I

in a peculiar way, I just felt it was time to do exploits,

finished school, I discovered that even with what I

more impacts. I felt this is time to work, time to

felt I achieved in school, I could always do more. So

manifest all that I have learnt and no more excuses

yea, to anyone reading this, there is so much more

of I am in school because I said that a lot.

you can do just create that space.

Many young professionals go through impostor syndrome. Were the title and the job intimidating or did it easily fit?

What did you love most and hate most about life after graduation? loved

the

flexibility

I think it is inevitable to not have impostor syndrome.

making

my

own

To me, it was not intimidating. My case was a little

responsibilities for myself and my family. I think it’s

bit

the

different

because

as

part

of

the

PharmD

I

adulting

part

that

came

decisions

that

and

didn't

with

graduating,

taking

seem

up

cool.

All

major

of

a

requirements, I had the opportunity to rotate in the

sudden, I feel like a grown-up...Hahaha. But yeah, it

hospital I am currently doing my internship in. So, I

is what it is.

was already kind of integrated into the system hence it

was

so

easy

to

work

with

the

other

health

professionals. I must say that my senior colleagues

Were you paid over your internship?

and the director of Pharmacy in the hospital paved

Foreigners are not usually paid during internships. I

the way and made it less intimidating for me and my

was not paid but I had my locum (side jobs) to cater

colleagues.

for myself.

Many doctors are assumed as having no social life (stereotyped). By any chance did your social circles change?

What were your financial goals at the time?

I believe anyone can have a social life irrespective of

multiple

the work they do. It is mainly about getting a work-

investing in a side hustle.

Oh, yeah after graduation, the financial goal I had at

the

time

was

to

streams

of

save

and

income

invest. so

I

I

believe

in

plans

of

had

life balance. So yes, my circle of friends changed because my friends and I were not posted to the same

places.

I

made

friends

with

my

Do you feel like the money changed you?

work

colleagues and other healthcare professionals in the hospital. We would hang out once in a while so yeah,

Yes, money changed me. Haha :) I used to be money conscious back in school but for one reason or the other, it kind of reduced. I feel I can now work to get

we tried to maintain and have a great social life.

money unlike in school, where if money is finished; you are not sure where or when another will come.

How true is the statement 'it is lonely at the top'?

Personally, I agree with this statement. Everyone has different

career

paths

even

as

friends.

So,

depending on one’s path, they might find themselves being away from family and friends. It gets lonely from there up until they climb the ladder. Also when you find yourself up the ladder, the way you perceive things will definitely be different.

Page 62

How do you think the pharmacy profession is going to evolve? Do you think it is bound to die or is there hope?

Pharmacy has been evolving even before I got into the university and it really is still evolving. There is so much more to do. New pathways are coming up and as Pharmacy students and young pharmacists, we

Life After Graduation: The AfRO Perspective ...continued

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

have to brace ourselves up to be able to fill up

option and then if, along the line that doesn’t seem

various roles including leadership roles. I always say

fit for you, you can always switch. In my opinion, this

that our training gives us so much that we cannot be

is the best time to try out whatever interests we have

limited.

as young Pharmacists.

On the horizon, where do you see yourself, career-wise, in 5 or 10 years?

Besides the profession, have you dabbled in other areas to make money? If so, kindly share which areas these are?

In the next 5 to 10 years, I should be done with grad school and yea working in a biotechnology industry

Yes, I am a freelance writer so I frequently write on

or

diverse

research

institute

centred

on

discovering

and

topics

for

people

and

organizations

as

a

developing medicines for tropical and rare diseases

part-time job. Subsequently, I will be delving deeper

so

into medical journalism and copywriting.

basically

everything

drug

discovery

and

development (DDD).

Work-life balance is important for any young professional. How do you maintain your work-life balance?

What financial advice can you give to newly graduated pharmacists?

I

am

definitely

not

the

best

person

for

financial

advice but to live life. There is that temptation to spend, especially when you wake up one day and

Honestly, this is just something I am working on, I grew to understand that there is really no perfect work-life balance; you just keep trying till you find what works for you. I make sure I utilize my breaks whenever

I

am

off

my

shifts.

I

meditate

a

lot,

it

enables me to plan and manage my time well. I also

you

see

a

huge

sum

of

money

attached

to

your

name. It is always best to seek council from the right people. Also if you have plans of really saving or investing, stick to that plan tightly. Some people also have commitments like families and all, that is where the monies will go.

prioritize my health by eating and staying healthy.

On rare occasions, I also change the environment so I travel to a different city and then come back to work with a refreshed mind.

What are your hobbies and interests?

What are the biggest challenges young professionals face in your country? And what do you think can be done to change that?

In my opinion, one big challenge that YPs face is integrating into the profession properly. There is also

- I enjoy reading so the times I am not working, I am

the issue of feeling like there are no options aside

either reading a novel or catching up on news. I also

from hospital and community pharmacy. One way to

enjoy

is

curb this is simply education. Creating awareness to

Netflix and Chill! I love travelling and hanging out

pharmacy students on various career prospects will

with loved ones as well.

let them know of the diverse options that they have

watching

YouTube

videos

other

times

it

after school.

Do you think it is essential that young pharmacists explore other fields besides pharmacy?

What’s your take on cryptocurrency?

I see cryptocurrency as an extra stream of income

Yes, I think so but definitely if they want to. I think as YPs, we have a lot of interests and I think that should be

explored.

Besides,

our

training

gives

us

that

leverage. For example, if you are interested in the finance or Tech industry; it is best to explore that

Page 63

and an investment channel. If after studying about it and anyone wants to invest in it, you can always go ahead. The key thing is learning before going into it.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 64

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is the concept of human rights applied to sexuality and reproduction. It is a combination of four fields that are treated as separate but are inherently intertwined, which include sexual health, sexual rights, reproductive health and reproductive rights.

This includes those rights to equitable quality sexual health information and care that adolescents, women, and sexual minorities need.

A hackathon is an event of any duration where people come together to solve problems. With a background from tech challenges or solution building marathons, other fields have employed this concept

to

create

competitive

environments

where

solutions

to

everyday

problems

can

be

demystified or ‘hacked’. The healthcare field has not been exempt from this idea of creative problem solving for health-related issues. The following are some attributes of a good hackathon:

Clearly articulated.

Projects should have a clear question or problem they are trying to solve

plus a reasonably specific proposed solution.

Attainable.

Most projects will accomplish about 25% of what they think they can accomplish in

the

time

limited

they

have.

Each

project’s

goals

are

managed

so

participants

can

feel

accomplished at the end of the session.

Led by a stakeholder.

A stakeholder (or “subject matter expert”) guides a project to real-world

relevance. Projects without a stakeholder can “solve” a problem that doesn’t exist. Ideally the leader (or one of the leaders) is a stakeholder or a good proxy for a stakeholder. Additionally, it is never enough for a project leader to just be an ideas person. Beware when the leader is a stakeholder but can’t foresee how he or she might be implementing along with the rest of the team.

Organised.

For projects with four or more members, the project leader’s role should be to

coordinate, ensuring each team member has something to work on.

A successful hackathon would consist of both hacking and training.

The IPSF AfRO/PARO/FIP SRHR themed hackathon encompassed a training and hacking project that was conducted for two (2) months (from June 21st to August 22nd 2021). For the purpose of this hackathon, members from the IPSF African and Pan American Regional Offices applied as teams to join the project. Each team was assigned a mentor (SRHR expert) who was responsible for guiding the team through the brainstorming of a problem in the area of SRHR and ‘hacking’ that problem. At the end of the project, a panel of judges adjudicated presentations of the hacks from the teams and announced a winner. There were training sessions on various key SRHR topics from invited SRHR resource persons every two weeks during the project.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 65

The goal was to bridge the knowledge gap in education and training of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights among students and young pharmacists towards improving access to sexual and reproductive health services in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, in line with current global best practice.

Below are some objectives in achieving the above goal: To provide a competitive platform for undergraduates and young pharmacists to learn SRHR strategies and imbibe a multidisciplinary teamwork approach from the early onset.

To inculcate knowledge on SRHR policy development processes, situation analysis development and review of advocacy and implementation strategies.

To identify and better understand the role of pharmacists in the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).

To identify gaps in pharmacy training curricula across sub-Saharan Africa and the Pan American regions.

To provide a platform for SRHR mentors to guide undergraduates and young pharmacists in future careers in the area.

Position 1 Hack field: Maternal Health and Rights (iPreggo) Tamunoseleiprim Esther Ekine (Nigeria) Effiong David Etim (Nigeria) Precious Ekpotu (Nigeria)

Position 2 Hack field: Maternal Health and Contraceptive Use Iniemen Mkpong (Nigeria) Edgar Kalanda (Uganda) Tiffany Obai (Kenya) Brian Sawe (Kenya) Charles Kariuki (Kenya)

Position 3 Hack field: Female Genital Mutilation Omotayo Faith Olanrewaju (Nigeria) Adekoya Oluwaseun (Nigeria) Christine Wanjiru Karanja (Kenya) Ezeude Chinemenma (Nigeria)

Page 66

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

OVERVIEW Maternal during

SOLUTION/IDEA

health

refers

pregnancy,

to

the

childbirth

health

and

of

the

women

postnatal

Most

of

health

the

and

problems

rights

can

associated be

with

prevented

maternal

on

a

larger

period. These stages are Important when the overall

scale. Prevention of these problems leads to better

health

care

and

well-being

of

mother

and

child

is

for

women

and

acknowledgement

of

their

considered. Maternal Rights are rights to respectful

maternal rights. Our solution to the problem is the

and quality maternal healthcare, regardless of race,

creation of a device called iPreggo.

ethnicity, nationality, immigration or financial status.

These rights are free from discrimination, coercion

iPreggo

and violence.

device and

is

a

maternal

designed

basic

to

health

help

knowledge

and

rights

disseminate

about

solution

information

maternal

health

and

According to the World Health Organisation, about

rights which hopes to improve the quality of life and

295,000

women

died

care

childbirth

in

with

2017

during about

pregnancy

94%

and

coming

from

for

resource-limited

lower-middle income countries. This is unacceptably

income

high

with

SubSaharan

as

iPreggo

seen is

a

well-being in

in

a

lower-middle-

radio

system

and

location sensor device which contains pre-recorded information about maternal health and rights. This

Common causes of maternal injury and death are

pre-recorded information comes in a personalized or

excessive blood loss, infection, high blood pressure,

customized language targeting a particular region.

unsafe abortion obstructed labour as well as indirect

Let's say if iPreggo is deployed remotely in Lagos,

causes such as anaemia, malaria and heart disease.

Nigeria, the device is customized to that region’s

This makes maternal health a global agenda and

language

addresses inequalities that affect health outcomes

language barrier

reproductive

Southern

setting

countries.

and

Asia

sexual

and

health

accounting for 196,000 and 58,000 respectively. The

especially

Africa

women's

health

and

preference,

therefore,

breaking

the

rights

fundamental proffering solutions when it comes to

The location sensor in the device can be triggered

maternal health and rights.

by a button on the body of the device, which helps to alert the nearest health facility to the point of emergency by calling remote areas. Health facilities closest to these remote areas will serve as central

PROBLEM 1. Lack

of

unit departments having devices connected to them information

on

Maternal

Health

and

via real location sensor systems. For Example, if a woman in an isolated area is in labour, she can press

Rights

the

2. Distance to healthcare facilities

button

on

this

device

which

will

notify

the

nearest health facility of this emergency call, the Recent studies of maternal health and rights have

health facility here serves as a central unit where

shown that lack of information and distance to

they

healthcare

system.

facilities

lower-middle-income

especially countries

for

inhabitants

account

for

of

why

monitor Upon

locations

of

receiving

emergency

an

via

emergency

a

call,

GPS the

health facility can deploy an emergency response

women do not receive maternal care which in turn

team to the location of the GPS system

affects the health and well-being of women and

iPreggo

their newborns.

battery systems which can be powered by the sun

uses

both

rechargeable

and

replaceable

with solar panel chargers.

Other problems why women do not receive this care P.S: iPreggo is created to project the roles of the

are: Poverty

pharmacist in maternal health and rights which is

Inadequate and poor quality services

health education and advocacy.

Cultural beliefs and practices

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 67

EVALUATION USING SMART GOALS TECHNIQUE Specificity:

Targeted

towards

inhabitants

INFORMATION ON MATERNAL HEALTH RIGHTS

of

Rights

remote areas in Nigeria especially women.

Measurability:

Impacts

will

be

and

rights

are

areas.

well-being,

and

acknowledged

After

deploying

whether

in

by

to

remote regions,

another survey will be carried into spot impacts.

Achievability:

Device creation and design can

be

as

achieved

it

is

unsophisticated,

uses

existing resources and can be set up by a small number of people.

Reliability:

Maternal

deliver the intended goals for a long period of time.

allocated

health

as

resources

for

maternal

free

from

discrimination,

WHY OUR SOLUTION This solution is developed as a result of its ability to tackle the problem of lack of information about maternal health and rights and also disrupting the barrier distance healthcare facilities which account for a greater portion of maternal health problems reduce

the

creation

care

given

to

women.

It

delivers

optimum care by providing necessary information to both the initially targeted population and also health professionals

The device can be created in an

time

quality

coercion and violence.

that

The device can be relied upon to

Timebound:

and

maternal

specific

devices

respectful

healthcare.

measured

carrying out a survey on the level of women's health

to

in

health

facilities

closest

to

these

remote areas via national registry.

and

design are available.

BENEFITS OF SOLUTION INFORMATION THAT WILL PRE-RECORDED ON THE DEVICE

iPreggo is an unsophisticated device, easy to use

Nutritional Advice; Foods to eat and not to eat,

due to its radio system of disseminating recorded

supplements to use

information

Approved exercises

removes barriers to some extent when it comes to

Drugs that can and cannot be taken

long-distance

Birth plan advice

used

Safe sex practices during pregnancy

although it is designed for remote parts of the world.

Getting over pregnancy symptoms eg morning

This

sickness, constant urination, cramps, etc

professionals.

even

by

unlearned

people.

It

has

a

tendency

of

penetrating even the most remote part of the world

by

and

to

the

its

location

health

general

general

sensor

facilities.

iPreggo

population

population

system

of

can

the

includes

which

be

world

health

When to see a doctor (visiting nearest health facilities)

FEASIBILITY

Schedules for doctor's appointments Weight gain management

Like every other great solution proffered in the world,

Managing infections

iPreggo will be first developed as a prototype. The

Advices on mental health

prototype will be designed to target new remote

Measuring and monitoring blood pressure and sugar level

on two systems, the audio system pre-recorded and

Music for better sleep and mental relaxation Sleeping positions Approved

areas in Calabar, Nigeria, Africa. The device works

maternal

the location sensor system. Language customization and location sensors will be developed at regional

gadgets

eg

pregnancy

pillow, nausea relief bracelet, maternity clothing, etc Birthing centres and hospital maternity services Ways to prevent early labour and how to deal with it Labour pain management tips

levels. Pre-recorded information will be developed by individuals with great language proficiency while location

sensors

will

be

built

using

the

already

existing location sensor system in a modern world in relation to the health facilities nearest the targeted regions. The initial prototype can be developed with a team of 10 people with average resources.

Approved body massages Postpartum care and recovery tips

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 68

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT REQUIRED Sponsorship

and

support

from

Governmental

and Non-governmental agencies Volunteer team

LIMITATIONS OF HACK/PROJECT Poor health facilities Poor infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa Unskilled health professionals Devices designed for a particularly remote area cannot be used in another remote area

REFERENCES World

Health

Organization

"Maternal

Health":

https://www.who.int/health-topics/maternal-health

INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION

WHO (2014) defines sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as all initiatives that encompass efforts

to

neonatal sexual

eliminate

mortality

and

preventable

and

maternal

morbidity,

reproductive

health

ensure

services,

and

quality

including

contraceptive services, address sexually transmitted infections (STI) and cervical cancer, violence against women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents.

In

‐

less developed

‐

Sub Saharan financial

regions

Africa

of

and

resources

the

South are

world, Asia,

especially

human

limited.

and

Modern

contraceptive use is relatively low, unmet need for modern

contraception

is

maternal

morbidity

and

therefore

pertinent

to

high,

and

mortality

increase

consequently,

are

high.

It

contraceptive

is

use

and reduce the unmet need for family planning in order to improve maternal health (UN Millennium Development Goal 5).

HOW DID WE GET TO THE PROBLEM 1. SRHR covers a wide range of topics and social issues impacting sexual and reproductive health in

an

effort

to

achieve

the

earlier

mentioned

main

focus

was

on

maternal

health

and

contraceptive use. We discussed as a group and noted

down

after

which

several we

issues

faced

categorized

in

them

this

area

as

and

health

of

medically

care

accurate

provider

3. Community

education

(breastfeeding on

contraceptives

or

for

those

proper for

planning

public

education

and

regarding

services

planning

selection

their

mothers

and

safety

and

to

get

use

of

ways

of

to

ensure

contraceptive

availability for low-income women, including the use of public funds for contraceptive provision at the

time

of

compensation

obtained our main topic.

pregnant)

Provision

contraception. Adequate funding for the family

objectives.

2. Our

This can be achieved through the following ways:

public

and

including

the

for

abortion.

contraceptive

private

payers

appropriate

to

Sufficient services

ensure

payment

for

by

access, clinician

services and acquisition-cost reimbursement for supplies

Age-appropriate,

medically

accurate,

comprehensive sexuality education that includes

upholding their autonomy in the choice.

information on abstinence, as well as the full range of FDA, approved contraceptives

MAIN PROBLEM POINTS IN THE TOPIC

Confidential, comprehensive contraceptive care and

1. Health health

issues

that

resulting

negatively

in

impact

increased

maternal

morbidity

and

mortality.

2. The

role

of

contraceptives

in

mitigating

these

that

influence

contraceptive

improper

selection

of

contraceptives

on

sexual and reproductive health, adherence, and future use.

contraceptive

methods

for

mandated

parental

notification

or

right

of

women

contraceptives

or

to an

receive

prescribed

immediately

informed

referral from all pharmacies. Prompt referral to an

appropriate

clinicians, others

health

religiously

who

do

care

affiliated

not

provider hospitals,

provide

by and

contraceptive

services

4. Social issues influence the mothers’ choice to use

without

contraceptives factors

use in the maternal population and the Impact of

to

consent, including confidentiality in billing. The

issues.

3. Negative

access

adolescents

and

take

autonomy.

away

their

Efforts

to

increase

contraception, restriction

for

access

including all

to

removal

levonorgestrel

emergency of

the

age

emergency

contraception products, to create true over-thecounter access. Payment and practice policies that support the provision of 3–13 month supplies of

combined

hormonal

methods

to

improve

contraceptive continuation.

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 70

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE MATERNAL HEALTH

DEMAND

FOR

Women’s groups practising participatory learning and action. This includes a cycle of four phases: identification

Financial incentives/subsidies

and

prioritization

of

maternal

problems, planning for locally feasible solutions,

Enhancing patient transfer

implementation, and assessment.

Community involvement Conditional Cash Transfer This is a social protection innovation that provides cash

to

health

poor

households,

service

conditional

requirements

such

on

as

meeting

attending

perinatal care, growth monitoring, and vaccinations for children.

is

a

form

of

funding

in

many

Community-Based

Health

Insurance

(CBHI)

organized at the community level with the principles risk-pooling

and

regular

payments

of

a

small

premium.

communities funds

overcome These

for

have

set

up

emergency

difficulties

loan

funds

in

paying

aim

to

and

administered

obstetric for

tackle

transport

to

transportation.

the

problem

of

Intermediate Forms of Transportation

advocacy

since

the

1970s

for

appropriate

intermediate modes of transport to health services in developing countries that offer a locally appropriate and low-cost mobility service in rural areas.

younger

in

reducing

and

intervals,

older

and

high

high-risk

maternal parity.

births

age,

Semin

due

short

to

birth

Perinatol

39,

338–344.

Maternity

waiting

easy

homes

reach

that

aim

of to

are

residential

emergency

enhance

facilities

obstetric

access

to

care

care

by

services and increasing institutional deliveries. These homes provide a place to stay and await labour for high-risk pregnant women or those who are living far away during the final weeks of their pregnancy.

community

to

interventions,

is

crucial

and for

through

community-based

universal

access

to

healthcare and for improving maternal and neonatal Many

including,

for

approaches example,

services

in

demand

for

maternal

resource-limited

settings:

15,

870.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-

Planning

Maternal

and

Maternal

Health

Task

Health,

2015.

Force.

URL

https://www.mhtf.org/topics/family-planningmaternal-health/ (accessed 8.20.21).

5. Stover,

J.,

Ross,

contraceptive

J.,

use

Matern

2010. has

Child

How

increased

reduced Health

maternal

J

14,

687–

have

6. World

Contraception

Planning

Impact

Maternal

Day:

How

Maternal

Health

Does

Health?

Task

Family 2017.

Force.

.

URL

https://www.mhtf.org/2017/09/26/worldcontraception-day-how-does-family-planningimpact-maternal-health/ (accessed 8.20.21).

7. World

Health

Organization

mortality

[WWW

(WHO),

2019.

Document].

URL

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

communities,

participation

increase

challenges to be addressed. BMC Public Health

Maternal

Community-Based Interventions healthcare

health

to

695.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0505-y

bridging the geographical gap between women and

Bringing

Strategies

mortality.

Maternity Waiting Homes

health.

Darmstadt, G.L., 2015. Impact of family planning

4. Family

access and utilization of maternal care. There has

(EmOC)

(accessed 8.20.21).

2222-3

Facilitating geographical accessibility is crucial for

within

https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-

3. Elmusharaf, K., Byrne, E., O’Donovan, D., 2015.

insufficient funds for healthcare by the poor.

been

Document],

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semperi.2015.06.006

Emergency Transport Fund

loan

[WWW

URL

programs

This is a voluntary form of health insurance that is

Many

Contraception

2. Brown, W., Ahmed, S., Roche, N., Sonneveldt, E.,

scheme

of

to

2015.

articles/2015/01/access-to-contraception

demand-side

settings to provide access to predefined services.

A

1. Access

guidance/committee-opinion/

A voucher system This

REFERENCES

been

home

management and facilitating referral.

described

visits,

home

sheets/detail/maternal-mortality

(accessed

8.20.21).

8. World Health Organization (WHO), 2014. Sexual and

reproductive

health

and

rights:

a

global

development, health, and human rights priority [WWW

Document].

WHO.

URL

http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publica

�comment/en/

tions/gender_rights/srh-rights (accessed 8.20.21).

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 71

PROBLEM STATEMENT At

least

200

problems and scars. Since it is believed that if you today

remove a girl’s external genitals she will remain a

have had their genitals mutilated – suffering one of

virgin or not be promiscuous, we hope to counteract

the most inhuman acts of gender-based violence in

that by educating individuals that FGM has nothing

the

a

to do with that. We also want to form a community

common practice in more than 30 countries of the

where people that have experienced FGM can come

world, including some in Africa, Asia and the Middle

together to discuss the negative impact of such on

East. The phrase FGM is used to convey a number of

their lives.

world.

million

Female

girls

and

Genital

women

Mutilation

alive

(FGM)

is

different forms of surgery, mutilation or cutting of the

female

circumcision

external is

no

genitalia. longer

The

used

term

as

it

female

suggests

IMPACTS

equivalence with male circumcision, which is both

This solution will go a long way to increase peoples

inaccurate

girls

awareness of Female Genital Mutilation, it will give

undergo FGM between the ages of 7 and 10. There is

practical proofs that can discourage people from

no medical necessity for any such cutting, which is

doing such acts. Also, by forming a community of

often

people of the same location, it will be easy for them

and

counterproductive.

performed

by

an

unqualified

Most

individual

in

to convince other people that are engaging in the

unhygienic surroundings.

act and break some of the myths that surround FGM. FGM of any type is a violation of the human rights of girls

and

women,

as

it

is

a

harmful

procedure

performed on a child who cannot give valid consent.

IMPLEMENTATION

According to UNICEF (2006), eight African countries

Our

have

communities

an

FGM/C

incidence

of

more

than

80%;

target

Somalia has the highest incidence of 98%, followed

cases

by Guinea, Djibouti, and Egypt with an incidence of

practice.

of

audience in

Africa

increase

in

includes where

women

there

Female

are

Genital

in

local

reported Mutilation

more than 90% and Eritrea, Mali, Sierra Leone and Sudan

with

an

incidence

of

more

than

80%.

However, the practice can also be found to a far

PROBLEM UNIQUENESS

lesser degree in other parts of the world such as in

Aside from the fact that this project would increase

certain ethnic groups in Central and South America.

awareness of FGM, it will get community members involved to facilitate easy community and networking opportunities

to

further

discourage

their

fellow

community members from engaging in such an act.

SOLUTION

This initiative will also provide legal assistance to

Our solution includes increasing public awareness of

further orientate people on legal consequences and

FGM by educating people on the implications and

also help them to speak for their rights.

legal consequences for those indulging in the act by teaching the girls about their rights and about their bodies-why they should refuse to be subjected to this practice like for example inability to experience sexual

pleasure,

infection

as

well

as

death

etc.

Firstly we are curbing ignorance amongst the girls by telling them the negative effects. We hope to involve

PARTNERS Our

initiative

will

partner

with

non-governmental

organisations that focus on eradicating FGM and gender inequality.

the older generation which comprises parents and the community at large. We need to educate them on the effects of FGM ranging from the health, the psychological risks, the effects, mental health

AfRO Corner eMagazine Issue 2

Page 72

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chairperson@afro.ipsf.org

Secretary

secretary@afro.ipsf.org

Regional Media and Publications Officer

rmpo@afro.ipsf.org

Regional Relations Officer

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Regional Projects Officer

rpo@afro.ipsf.org

Chairperson of the IPSF AfPS Reception Committee

afps@afro.ipsf.org

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