Posted on: Fri 24-02-2017

Seventeen Nigerian universities participated at the just concluded Certificate Course in Global Health Pharmacy which held from the 5th -12th of February, 2017 at three centres spread across the entire country. These universities included Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria which served as the centre for the northern cohort, Gombe state university, Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Bayero University Kano, Kaduna State University, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, University of Uyo, University of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe university, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Madonna University, Niger Delta University, Igbenidion University, University of Port Harcourt which served as the venue for the Southern/Eastern cohort and Obafemi Awolowo University which served as the centre for the western cohort.

According to the National Coordinator of the Project, Aniekan Ekpenyong, a recent graduate of pharmacy from University of Uyo, the course attracted over 500 participants including Pharmacists, Medical Interns, Pharmacy and Medical students, Pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals.

The certificate course introduced theories and concepts including current trends, issues, challenges and debates in global health as it relates to medicines and drugs. It provided a critical understanding of the determinants that shape the current global health situation and the important role expected of pharmacists to play in addressing these challenges.

The course which was jointly organized by AB Global Health Initiative and Global Health Focus (GHF) Africa and hosted by Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria students (PANS) succeeded in raising critical thinkers and leaders in pharmacy who are able to contribute to debates and challenges in global health, inspired and developed pharmacists who will in the near future lead advocacies for global health issues and also provided a platform for networking with other global health leaders across Africa.

The course director and lecturer was Professor Don Eliseo Lucero Prisno III of the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Don has published in the fields of global health and public health in scientific journals and has authored book chapters. His work has been recognized by a number  of international awards including the first Global Health Promotion Practice Award by the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). 

Other speakers at the event included professor Vincent Idemyor (College of Medicine, UIC, United States), Professor Adesugun Fatusi (Provost, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife),   Dr Shafiu Mohammed (Head of Department, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria), Pharmacist Adebisi Adenipekun (Founder, Lighthouse Global Health Initiative), Dr Ayomide Sina-Odunsi (Co-founder, AB Global Health Initiative) and Pharmacist Aniekan Ekpenyong (Pharmacy Director, AB Global Health Initiative).

As a follow up, graduates of the course would be trained and mentored through the FutureGen Research Program, an innovative research course that aims to develop researchers/leaders in global health from middle and low income countries LMICs.  The objective of the course is to train students passionate about using research as a tool to provide for evidence based policies and advocacies in global health

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