Ipsf afro 8

IPSF AFRO NEWSLETTER 2017

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CONTENTS

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Stories from our subcommittee members

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Ghana awaits you for 6th IPSF AfPS

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Rwanda awaits you for 7th WHSS

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Oldies section

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Association activities

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Commentaries

IPSF AFRO NEWSLETTER 2017

EDITORIAL Hello AfRO IPSFers, I am excited to welcome you to issue 8 of our newsletter and the second one for the mandate of 2016/17.

In this issue, we bring you amazing stories from our awesome subcommittee members.

These are the people who assist our Regional Working Group and work tirelessly behind the scene in the region. We have oldies section to spice up things a bit. Our oldies are our alumni - they are our “fathers.” We bring you their stories too. I hope their stories can inspire you in one way or another.

Another section not to miss reading, is the commentary section. Our members have penned down interesting opinion on a wide range of health issues that affect Africa.

I don’t want to steal the show, the rest of the stories are supposed to be a surprise to you. I don’t want to spoil it. Slide in the newsletter…

Enjoy reading!

CREDITS EDITORS Editor-in-Chief: Katarina Zunic, editor@ipsf.org

Kennedy Odokonyero IPSF AfRO Regional Media and Publications Officer 2016/17 rmpo@afro.ipsf.org

Editors: • Sara DiTursi • Erica Shin • Marina Faltas Design and layout: Isah Josh (Arig’s DesignCubicle)

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WHO WE ARE

IPSF

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

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 region is currently expanding from a total of 12 member associations and 5 full members in 2014 to a total of 17 member associations and 8 full members in 2016. More associations are expected to come on board in 2017 and beyond.

MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

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MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Anania Anangisye

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ello IPSFers, I’m Anania Anangisye, a third year pharmacy student at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) from Tanzania.

Through my home association TAPSA (Tanzania Pharmaceutical Students’ Association), I got a chance to realize how lucky I was in being a future pharmacist, not only for my country but in the entire world.

As soon as I joined University at my first year I became the Public Relations Officer for MUHAS as one of the eight (8) chapters of TAPSA in Tanzania.

You know, this was the best moment of my life as I could be a part of something big for our profession. It was of a big task for me but, after getting some words of advice from my close friends, I became stronger and finally took full responsibility as the Public Relations Officer for my chapter MUHAS which is also the Headquarters of TAPSA. By that time I still didn’t know about the actual existence of IPSF and the whole picture of it but surprisingly enough the Student Exchange Officer of that time, Mr. Kazaura, approached me saying he saw greatness in me and that I could accomplish a lot in the future. He saw me as one of the pillars of TAPSA. I had to accept what he thinks of me although I wasn’t that confident myself. This guy inspired me, taught me a lot of stuff about IPSF and the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) and finally I became his successor as the next Student Exchange Officer 2015-2017.

Carrying both of these two duties plus being a student made me a busy man even towards my sweet girlfriend but thanks to the words of wise men I managed to master my timetable without failing any of my

duties unnecessarily. Having served my chapter fully, I got a call from my friend Mr Joel Kibona saying: “Hey Anania, it would be great if we both wouldn’t just end here after serving our chapter, our association still needs us and we have a lot to do for our association TAPSA.” Upon receiving such a request I decided to accept it and I became the next Public Relations Officer now for TAPSA and no longer for the chapter for the year 2016/17 while Mr Kibona became the next President of TAPSA 2016/17.

You can say these guys were so greedy for these positions but I define it as love they have for their association.

In 2016, I also applied for the IPSF AfRO Media and Publication subcommittee in which we write and manage publications on all media for AfRO. This gave me a chance to serve in the IPSF team in addition to being the Student Exchange Officer.

As an IPSFer, I can say there is so much greatness being a pharmacy student and being active within IPSF. You get to meet a lot of great people which expose you to the outside world, explore, experience and learn different things from within and outside the country, gain communication skills, leadership skills, a place where all of us pharmacy students in the world can rise our one voice and be heard by all the living.

I have never regretted even for a single second doing what I do in IPSF and never shall I, as I’m so proud being part of this big endeavour. Thanks to all IPSFers to whom we are in this together.

“Viva la Pharmily, Viva La IPSF-AfRO”.

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MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

L-R: Anania, Domitila Jacob (TAPSA Treasurer) and Joel Kibona (TAPSA President).

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MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Florence Nishimwe I’m Florence Nishimwe, a graduate in pharmacy from the University of Rwanda.

Currently, I’m working as a pharmacist assistant in a community pharmacy.

In the Media and Publications subcommittee (SC) I’m in charge of creating and proofreading articles to be published on the IPSF AfRO website and in the newsletter.

Well, I was surprised to be part of the subcommittee.

I couldn’t believe it when I was contacted by the SC officer. Finally my dream was coming true. Being part of the SC has been a milestone to my personal development. Working with amazing people from diverse backgrounds and cultures opens your mind.

It helped me to increase my self-confidence, to develop my interpersonal skills and yes the sky is no more the limit I’ve got new friends, I’m learning new languages, I learnt to use Google docs etc.

If you can dream it you can do it. Be confident, take courage and work hard.

Olunu Adeoluwa Pharmacy is a beautiful profession and I never for one second regret my decision to study pharmacy.

I am always very eager to meet and network with different pharmacy students from across Africa and globally because I know for sure our struggles with pharmacology and therapeutics are similar and real.

I have a flare for social media and knowing it’s a powerful tool to convey a message to thousands of people made me decide to join the Media and Publications subcommittee of IPSF AfRO. Working in this subcommittee has expanded my knowledge base of managing the official social media accounts of IPSF AfRO. I am particularly in charge of the Instagram and Twitter and there is no better way to catch an audience than through pictures.

Working in the Media and Publications subcommittee of IPSF AfRO has been both rewarding personally and for the committee as a whole as I have learned both professionalism in writing as well as reading and posting relevant articles that benefit pharmacy students globally.

Viva La Pharmacie!!!! Long live IPSF!!!! Long live IPSFAfRO!!!!

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Arnold Pinias Hello, #makadini, #linjani whatsup IPSFers and AfRO Pharmily, I am so excited about this opportunity. Where do I start? I am Arnold Pinias straight outta Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Students Association (ZPSA), Zimbabwe were pharmacy is vibing big time due to the amazing passion of ZPSAs. Pharmacy runs in my blood and let me say I’m so motivated about students initiatives and associations. That’s why I didn’t let the opportunity to participate in ZPSA and IPSF activities pass me.

I was part of the Reception Committee during the 62nd IPSF world congress in Zimbabwe 2016 and yes that is a treasure chest stashed in my heart that I will always open when I need a smile because it was a joyride I could do over and over again without thinking twice. I was also part of the ZPSA executive standing in as ZP-

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SA-HIT President (2016-17) which is a standing committee for ZPSA representing pharmacy students from Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). Currently I am a member of IPSF AfRO Media and Publications subcommittee.

I am a final year pharmacy student (B.Pharm HONS) at Harare Institute of Technology in Zimbabwe hoping to be capped this year and join this prestigious profession If you happen to be my friend by the time I graduate, you won’t need to buy drinks for your entire life! It’s on the house.

will take Tanzania Pharmaceutical Students Association (TAPSA) and IPSF to new levels. In that committee we also have a blessing of two African queens...Queen Dee and Queen Flo under the guidance of the man himself, the one interrogating me right now, ladies and gentlemen Kent Odoki!

Information is power. The SC helped in the actualization of the full potential of Media and Publications in the realization of IPSF goals. I have the privilege of designing much of the promotional and information material for IPSF AfRO which is used on social media platforms and during awareIn the subcommittee (SC) I’m so ness campaigns with the help of the happy to be assisting with designing and branding. I was tasked with Regional Working Group (RWG) or do I say I assisted the RWG. I that specifically together with my brother from another mother Anania don’t know whichever way sounds straight outta Bongo Land, Tanzacorrect. Also I designed the IPSF nia. That guy is bubbling with ener- AfRO 7th Newsletter! Well this is gy and motivation which I believe the gig I loved doing. On first sight

it was a mammoth task I had no idea I could ever accomplish let alone in time. Props to the RWG and the SC for their guidance and support, Kudos to Kennedy, Arinze and Ahmed, these guys were hands on this project, they were careful critics who really helped me, trust me without them nothing was gonna come out. I also had a privilege of designing some of the AfRO merchandise with the help from all over IPSF, if everything goes well, they will see the market at the 6th AfPS. Being in IPSF helped greatly in my local association, the experience I learnt from the SC and IPSF as a whole was so useful in my local association. I watch animations sometimes when I just want to refresh my mind, please don’t judge me with this one , I’m trying to make a point. So there is this animation I love so much and I am going to borrow a quote from it. “IPSF is that place were aaaanyone can be aaaanything!!!”.

It is a global community where it doesn’t matter where you come from. All pharmaceutical students are united by the love of medicines.

It’s so diverse with cultures and I’m sure you gonna love it if you are not loving it already. You will have a privilege of learning different practices from different countries and that is invaluable experience needed in your home country and association. I only have one regret, I wish I had joined IPSF earlier, don’t be like me. Stay Good! Thank you #Tatenda #Siyabonga

REGIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

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REGIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Purity Wambui

Funmbi Okoya

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orking in the African Regional Office under the Regional Relations Subcommittee portfolio has been such a great honor. This has been made worthwhile by the entire team whom I’ve not only worked remarkably well with but also formed long lasting friendships.

This experience has made the IPSF flame burn brighter within me and has been my main driving force in recruiting new members since I wouldn’t want any pharmacy student/recent graduate out there missing out on what IPSF has to offer. I look forward to the day when we’ll have the entire African map painted Green and White and the mantra “viva la pharmacie” being chanted across the entire continent. Until then, let us preach IPSF out there and be proud of being part of such a great movement.

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eing a member of the Regional Relations Subcommittee has been quite interesting and probably more engaging than I had initially thought. I have had the opportunity to work with great people from different countries in achieving our goals as a team. I have also had the privilege to solve challenges related to language, different time zones, poor communication habits, varying schedules and so on. But most importantly, I have had the rare pleasure to spread the IPSF spirit to “uncharted territory” and play my part in growing the region.

Othniel Nimbabazi

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’m very happy to be part of the RRO subcommittee, with a hard working, committed and friendly team for the growth of the region. With interesting new members and collaboration among members, I have learned a lot and got inspired by this work. I believe the region will be strong and achieve its goals not by individuals’ performance but everyone’s involvement. I’m happy with new friends I got from different nations through approaching them to be AfRO members.

REGIONAL RELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

I Gamelihle Mpofu

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eing in the Regional Relations Office has been a very intriguing experience. Despite the challenges faced, I have gained extensive insight on how vital it is to establish good relations within AfRO. The current challenges we face, and which we tried to combat as a subcommittee, was improving the relationships within existing members and also to extend the family. My dream is to increase membership within the region but for that to happen it would not only take maximum effort from the Regional Relations Officer and his or her team, but also from every member to ensure that no neighbouring country is left out of benefits of being in AfRO and in IPSF. It is our prerogative to inform other nations about the federation and what it means to be a part of it. Imagine an AfRO where that dream is a reality. Coordinated projects spanning across this great continent would reach more people and have a greater impact to the people that we hope and pray to serve. That is the dream - that will be the reality, and it takes every one of us to play our part.

Brian Kirui

chose to work in the Regional Relations Subcommittee because of the outreach nature of the team’s portfolio – trying to pull others to join in global health advocacy. Our work is important because we get to introduce new people to a new way of doing things, or just a structured way of doing the things they always do in tandem with what others are doing globally.

I have had quite an experience in IPSF but none close to what I have experienced in the regional relations. Back during my time in the Public Health Committee, it was all laid out, we knew exactly what to do and when to do it because the nature of the events were all arranged in the calendar year. It was very rewarding and I have carried along some of what I learnt and used it in regional relations.

Regional relations is for those who love adventure. It could easily be compared to venturing into unknown territory. There is the fun of meeting new people and getting to introduce them to the amazing IPSF family. Just like any adventure, it comes with some challenges like language barrier – thanks to the Translation Committee for their work in helping us reach those who may not be using English. Another factor that come into play are slow communications, correspondence is delayed because of limited internet access in some regions or just other inexplicable reasons.

Great teamwork in the committee allows us to put our heads together and try to improvise and solve whatever problems arise. It’s all work in progress, but we have started somewhere, and if we keep building on it, all of Africa will be speaking the IPSF language.

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TRANSLATION SUBCOMMITTEE

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ello! I am Alain Bapolisi M. I am an intern pharmacist from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Being member of the IPSF AfRO Translation Subcommittee is a great experience for me. I always feel proud while working for the sake of IPSF, and in particular in using my bilingual skills in order to translate IPSF documents from English to French and the other way around.

Here I salute the AfRO initiative to create this commission which helps to break the language barrier between Francophone and Anglophone associations.

Our translation team is prompt and so friendly. Complementarity is the keystone of our work and at the end of the day we are all gaining experience and learning from each other. I could never regret being a part of this lovely team!

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am Aniekan Ekpenyong, an intern pharmacist from Nigeria. I have served in different positions in IPSF, and I am excited to be among the pioneer members of the Translation Committee.

I was opportune to work with a multicultural team made up of mostly bilinguals. Our job is to translate documents into French, proofreading as well. An experience I would not forget is proofreading the minutes in French as an English speaker! How I was able to pull that, I never knew! By the way, the document still had to go under the screening lens of Alain and Matthias who never trusted my work, haha. Perfection is our watchword!

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am Phn. Marie Ange Uwase, recent graduate from Rwanda. Helping IPSF AfRO to grow through the Translation Subcommittee, has been a great experience and an excellent platform to share my bilingual skills. I had worked as Regional Relations Officer 2015-2016 and I saw how language barrier was a limitation for AfRO, especially for French speaking countries. It was a burden for me to translate IPSF documents alone. With the establishment of the Translation Subcommittee it’s now easier and quicker to have documents translated.

This has had a great impact on maximizing understanding of IPSF events and participation in those events both on national and international levels. All pharmacy students and recent graduates in Africa are now fully connected to IPSF AfRO which makes it grow faster with new member countries.

Vive IPSF AfRO with no language barrier!

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y name is Shakila K. Umutoni, a final year student at University of Rwanda.

I have worked with IPSF and more specifically within the AfRO region for the past two years. Being part of the Translation Subcommittee has been great, especially witnessing the strides that AfRO is making to grow and reach out to different pharmacy students on the continent.

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ello! I’m Mathias, a student of pharmacy from Togo. It is a great experience for me to be part of the Translation Subcommittee of AfRO IPSF. It has given me an opportunity to meet wonderful people, and to use my translation skills. Being part of this committee has allowed me to improve my English and to acquire new knowledge. We all work together to get a good result.

Long live IPSF!

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feel privileged to serve in the AfRO Translation Subcommittee as this position allows me to work with my fellow committee members and provide for me an opportunity to know more information about our Regional Working Group while translating.

The role of translating pushes me to go and read more and this has especially improved my level of French and English, not to forget my punctuation skills.

I admire the team work and serving spirit my mates display which encourages me to work hard for the betterment of our region. ”- Fabrice HUMURA RPSA- Rwanda “If you want to: • Work in a multicultural team • Sharpen your French language skills • Contribute to the work IPSF is doing generally…

• … Then you need to be a part of the team next year! :)”- Aniekan

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REGIONAL PROJECTS SUBCOMMITTEE

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he annual convocation of young pharmacists and student pharmacists on the continent is here and we are going to Kumasi, Ghana!

The symposium, happening in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology from the 4th to 10th of July, 2017, promises to be nothing short of an eclectic experience.

Kumasi, the second largest metropolitan area in Ghana, hosts the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom and is arguably the richest in culture and history in the country. The venue of the symposium was strategically sited at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to enable delegates have a feel of Ghana’s leading university of science and technology, while giving them a copious feel of indigenous Ghana.

With the theme “Integration of orthodox and complementary medicine to enhance healthcare delivery in Africa”, delegates can expect a complete experience that will ultimately result in better health for the people of Africa. A series of exciting academic and social events have been planned which delegates will fully enjoy.

The Welcome Party will welcome delegates to Ghana on the 4th of July with a very vibrant ceremony at 1930 GMT. Delegates will enjoy the sounds of rich traditional Ghanaian music whilst we brief them on what to expect during their stay, how to make sure they get the best from the conference and other details to make their stay as comfortable as possible!

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Wednesday the 5th will be the International and Cultural Night where delegates will have the opportunity to display their countries’ artefacts and other items of culture. Cultural dances, spoken word, poems, music, and choreography will also feature. The night shall begin at

1930 GMT! 18

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Auction Night will be on the 6th of July. Delegates will get the opportunity to auction away valuable merchandise and artefacts they brought along from their home countries for some cool cash!

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The night of the 8th will be one of relaxation beside the glistening KNUST swimming pool.

Delegates will also be treated to various displays of Ghanaian art and culture!

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The Post-Symposium Tour is a rare opportunity for delegates to tour the country.

Delegates will get the opportunity to visit selected tourist sites.

So, are you ready for this wonderful experience? Register now at www.afps2017. org. Ghana is expecting you!

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THE FACES WORKING BEHIND THE SCENE TO GIVE YOU THE BEST EXPERIENCE IN GHANA

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WHSS is coming to Rwanda! Time for Africa?

Richard Bishumba

7th WHSS Vice Chairperson- Logistics

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wanda is set to become Africa’s second, after Egypt in 2009, and first sub-Saharan country to host the World Healthcare Students Symposium. Can we call it time for Africa? Well, only the high attendance of Africans will confirm it.

The 7th World Healthcare Students Symposium, WHSS 2017, is slated for November 23-27, 2017 in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

The World Healthcare Students Symposium (WHSS) is the world’s biggest student conference, a biennial

multidisciplinary summit that brings together students, recent graduates and senior professionals from all over the world to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges and opportunities within the global health arena.

Unlike other known platforms such as the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) World Congress or the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) March and August Meetings where only students of the same field are

concerned, WHSS entertains diversity and the need for interprofessional collaboration.

It’s open to all students and professionals in healthcare from around the world.

Famously known by its trending hashtag on social media, #WHSSKigali17, it aims at generating discussion and understanding between professions, developing skills and awareness of concepts on a multidisciplinary scale and creating advocates for a cooperative approach to patient-centered care.

Winning the bid to host WHSS 2017 came as no sur-

prise for Rwanda, a country that only in 2016 hosted several international events and conferences such as the 4th African Nations Championship (CHAN), the World Economic Forum on Africa, the 27th African Union Summit and the Global Africa Investment Summit among others.

WHSS 2017 presents a unique opportunity for the continent, especially the sub-Saharan region and hosts in particular. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has also pinned it on its calendar among huge events coming to Rwanda this year.

How will Rwanda and Rwandans benefit from WHSS 2017?

Progressively conquering the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, WHSS 2017 cements yet again Rwanda as a top destination for international conferences. With around 3000 delegates expected, this conference will also enhance the tourism sector, which

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