Webinar: Introduction to Research in PHC [4 July 2023]

Dear all,
I wish to invite you to the AfroPHC Research Mentorship Programme meeting coming up on Tuesday 4th July, 2023 at [4-6pm GMT, 5-7pm WAT, 6-8pm CAT/SAST and 7-9pm EAT.]
Lecture Title: Introduction to Research in PHC; Developing a Good Research Question.
Lecture Speaker: Dr Mercy Wanjala

Link will be sent to members via email. If you are not a member, join at http://www.afrophc.org/join-afrophc

The History of Primary Health Care

Introduction to the history of primary healthcare.

The history of primary healthcare.
From the small efforts of various groups to promote accessible and affordable health to all, the first significant step in the history of primary healthcare was the World Health Organization (WHO)’s “Health for all by the year 2000” initiative of 1977 which promoted UHC.
Although it was deemed impossible, atleast it led to the Alma Ata declaration in 1978 where various leaders established primary healthcare as the most practical and effective was of achieving the goal “Health for all by year 2000”.
30 years down the line, in 2008, the World Health Organisation launched the “Primary healthcare: now more than ever” report which highlighted several reforms necessary to make primary healthcare effective.
Then in 2018 was the Astana Declaration which traced the progress of primary healthcare since the Alma Ata declaration and established ways of strengthening primary healthcare to achieve universal health coverage.
At the present time, as we also create and contribute to the history of primary healthcare, in 2023 AfroPHC will be launching the “Policy Framework for primary healthcare in Africa” which outline the goals to be met by Africa to achieve effective PHC for UHC in Africa.

Health for all by the year 2000

“Health for all by the year 2000” was a global health initiative launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1977.
The initiative had three main objectives:
1. To achieve a level of health that would permit all individuals to lead a socially and economically productive life.
2. To reduce the gap in health status between developed and developing countries.
3. To provide essential health care to all individuals and families in the community.

Unfortunately, the goal of “Health for all by the year 2000” was not achieved but it did help in raising awareness of the need for accessible and affordable health for all, and this led to the establishment of primary healthcare in the 1978’s Alma Ata declaration.

The Alma Ata Declaration of 1978

The Alma-Ata Declaration is a health policy document that was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care held in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan in 1978.
The Declaration has had a profound impact on global health policy and practice. It has been a driving force behind the development of primary healthcare as a central component of health systems around the world.
It defined primary healthcare as “essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.”
And it also emphasized the importance of community participation, health promotion, and disease prevention in addition to curative services. It recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to healthcare that addressed not just physical health, but also mental, social, and spiritual well-being.

WHO’S “Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever” Report of 2008

The report “Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever” was published in 2008 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report emphasized the importance of primary health care as the foundation of any effective health system and called for a renewed global commitment to primary health care as a means of achieving better health for all.
It highlighted four key reforms necessary to strengthen primary healthcare:
1. Strengthening health systems: The report called for a comprehensive approach to strengthening health systems, including investments in health infrastructure, health workforce education and training, and health information systems.
2. Improving access to primary health care: The report emphasized the need to improve access to primary health care services, particularly for underserved populations, through strategies such as expanding health coverage and reducing financial barriers to care.
3. Enhancing the quality of primary health care: The report called for efforts to improve the quality of primary health care services through initiatives such as strengthening health workforce capacity, promoting evidence-based practice, and implementing quality assurance systems.
4. Fostering community participation and empowerment: The report highlighted the importance of engaging communities in primary health care planning and decision-making to promote health equity and social justice.
Overall, the report called for a coordinated and sustained effort to strengthen primary health care systems worldwide, with a focus on addressing the health needs of the most vulnerable populations.

The Astana Declaration of 2018

The Astana Declaration is a global commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through primary health care (PHC). The declaration was adopted at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2018, which marked the 40th anniversary of the historic Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978.
The Astana Declaration reaffirms the principles of the Alma-Ata Declaration, which recognized primary health care as the key to achieving health for all. The Astana Declaration goes further by emphasizing the need for a renewed commitment to primary health care as the foundation of health systems, and as a means of achieving universal health coverage.
The Astana Declaration calls for a series of actions to strengthen primary health care systems, including:
1. Investing in primary health care as the cornerstone of health systems
2. Strengthening health systems through increased funding and resources
3. Ensuring access to essential health services for all, including through community-based approaches
4. Empowering individuals and communities to participate in their own health and health care
5. Strengthening health workforce education and training to ensure a skilled and motivated health workforce
6. Strengthening health information systems to improve decision-making and accountability
7. Strengthening partnerships and cooperation between different sectors and actors to achieve shared health goals.

AfroPHC’s Policy Framework for PHC and UHC in Africa

This week we have been looking at the history of primary healthcare.
At the present time, as we also create and contribute to the history of primary healthcare, in 2023 AfroPHC will be launching the “Building PHC Teams for UHC in Africa” which underscores the crucial role of the PHC workforce within a team based approach. It also outlines the key actions that need to be met by Africa to achieve effective PHC for UHC in Africa.
This policy framework was funded by Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) and echoes the voices of frontline primary healthcare workers and leaders across, Africa, collated through a series of virtual policy workshops and group discussions. The final workshop was held in October 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa where a cohort of about 30 multicountry multiprofessional delegates met in person to finalise the policy framework.
In summary, the policy calls to Africa to pay heed to the call of its health professionals, to seize opportunities to overcome African challenges, to embrace the World Health Organisation’s Report of 2008 and Astana Declaration of 2018 by prioritizing integrated, resilient, person-centred and high quality PHC within UHC, re-organising UHC around PHC service delivery, integrating public health with primary care, and bringing private PHC providers into a regulated PHC system for UHC in Africa.

No Tobacco: Addiction and Advocacy | CPD 18 May

Tobacco kills up to half of its users. a plant with leaves that have high levels of the addictive chemical nicotine. After harvesting, tobacco leaves are cured, aged, and processed. In various ways. the resulting products may be smoked (in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes), applied to the gums (as dipping and chewing tobacco), or inhaled (as snuff).

Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Keep the key to life in your hands, don’t give it to tobacco. Continued tobacco use corresponds to poorer addiction treatment outcomes, including a higher likelihood of relapse to substance use. The integration of tobacco-related services into addiction treatment can improve treatment outcomes, promote recovery, and reduce the well-established harms of ongoing tobacco use, including tobacco-related death and disease. Eliminate tobacco from your life before it kills you.

Webinar Title: No Tobacco: Addiction and Advocacy

Speaker: Miss Abena Otchere-Darko (BSC’ MGHIG’ CPMC’ MWAIMM’ PD. CIIA’ PD.CSM)

“I have taken inspiration from nature and feel one can achieve anything if one pursues it with diligence and perseverance and I have set my heart on attaining to do. This will equip me well in the art of assessing and cultivating human relationships, which is a necessity in any type of workplace and a discerning community as a whole, and having an opportunity to be part of this organization will be a value-added to my educational interests, involvement in a sorority and volunteer activities demonstrate attributes that make me a valuable employee in career practices. included in my list of talents leadership skills, reliability and work ethics in all roles and volunteer activities. Community involvement in volunteer programs such as community challenge and professional development programs in applied sciences and other resourced-based areas in education and early career practice, health, population surveys and census.”

OBJECTIVES:

  • Identify personal and socio-cultural beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviours regarding tobacco and other drug use, as well as strategies for prevention through a visual display project on a specific drug-related topic or theme.
  • Identify and access community resources that deal with drug education (prevention, use, misuse, abuse, and public education) and incorporate this information into a visual display project.
  • Build teamwork skills that encourage collaborative work on a drug-related visual display, oral presentation, and written report.

Date: Thursday, 18th of May 2023

Time: 3 pm Central Africa Time (CAT)

Duration: 1 hour

CPD Points: 1

Register here: https://wcea.education/portfolio-item/no-tobacco-addiction-and-advocacy/

CPD: Stress and Wellness

This is a presentation on what stress is, and how it affects the body. It is also supposed to be an interactive and reflective session with the participants.

Webinar Title: Stress and Wellness

Objectives:

Understand stand stress
How to note stress
How to self-manage a stressful situation
When to seek care
Speaker: Miss Yvonne Kiogora

“My name is Yvonne Nkatha Kiogora. A practising Clinical Officer in Nairobi- Kenya. I have over 10 years in clinical practice. I have an expansive experience in both the public and private health sectors in different capacities. I am also trained in public health. Currently winding up my specialization in Mental health and Psychiatry. I am also pursuing a master’s in public health. I have a great love for mental health and wellbeing. I have been involved in community awareness of mental health through online media and also physically.”

Date: Thursday, 6th of April 2023

Time: 3 pm Central Africa Time (CAT)

Duration: 1 hour

CPD Points: 1

AFROPHC CASE STUDIES WINNER ANNOUNCED: Dr Tijani Oseni

WINNER: Dr Tijani Oseni (Nigeria)

TITLE: BUILDING EFFECTIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TEAMS FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN AFRICA – A CASE OF ISTH FAMILY MEDICINE OUTPOST, IGUEBEN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria, like most African countries, the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres are unable to address the health needs of rural dwellers as they lack adequate staff and equipment.
We were able to bring accessible and affordable health care services to the people of Igueben in Edo State, Nigeria using a multidisciplinary team headed by Family Physicians from the department of Family Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. This followed request from the community. The team comprised Family Physicians, nurses, administrators, and community leaders.
We established an outpost where most common medical and surgical conditions were managed at minimal rates. More serious cases that could not be handled at the outpost were referred to ISTH. This ensured access to quality healthcare for the people within their reach and means.
Collaborating with other health workers as well as community leaders is essential for achieving universal health coverage.

ABOUT THE WINNER

Dr Tijani Oseni is a lecturer and Consultant Family Physician/ Head, Lifestyle and Behavioural medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma/ Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria. He is a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCFM) and currently doing a PhD programme in Social and behavioural Medicine in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His research interests are Family Medicine Education, Lifestyle and Behavioural Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Primary Health Care.
He is the Assistant Head, AfroPHC Research Team; a member of the WONCA Working Party on Research; Head Afriwon Research Group; and Research Secretary, Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg).
He teaches Family Medicine and mentors undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. He is passionate about rural Family Practice where he seeks to use effective low cost behavioural and lifestyle approach to bring about improved health care to the rural populace.

Video Competition

AfroPHC has been developing a primary healthcare policy framework that is being launched on the 14th of March 2023. The framework consists of 31 main points/goals plus an opening and closing. Now, we are hosting a competition to create videos for each of the 33 points.

This competition is for healthcare students and professionals in Africa. Participation will be in groups and to participate, the group leader has to register below and download the video scripts document. This document has 33 scenes, one for each of the 33 points in the policy framework. In the scripts document, the policy framework points are in given in peach background. And this document can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tcbBgmYaFECY3v3UPXveiBGssCnKue39/view?usp=drivesdk

The participants are to shoot 5 videos for any 5 scenes directed in the scripts document. Each video should be atleast 15 seconds and atmost 30 seconds long (15-30 seconds long). The participants are to shoot the videos as directed in the scripts. They are free to make slight changes, the number of the main cast in the introduction and closing scenes can be reduced to 5. If participants feel like they can do one or more of the scenes in a better way than the one directed, they should email their suggested script(s) to innocential@innocentialdiaries.xyz for approval first before shooting. Such scripts will not be shared with other participants.

The participants are expected to collaborate with their healthcare centers for the video shooting and the equipment required. The scripts documents lists the extra requirements that might not be available in a healthcare center. Anyone can play any role given in the scripts document. However, identity clothing is required for each specified role. For example, a student nurse can act as a doctor in the play provided he dresses as a doctor in that play. The videos are to be simple and there’s no need for professional equipment or editing.

Technical requirements include:

  • Minimum resolution of the video of at least 720p.
  • The videos should have an aspect ratio of horizontal 4:3.
  • A maximum file size of 300MB, while utilizing commonly used video-codecs (e.g. H.264) and formats (.mov or .mp4).
  • Audio with a minimum bitrate of 128kbps.
  • Do not add text or watermarks or logos on the videos.
  • Only the calls should be cited in the videos. The words spoken in the videos should only be the calls recited.
  • The videos should not be significantly inclined torwards one gender.
  • Name the video files according to the scene titles given.

After shooting the 5 videos, the participants must put them in a Google drive folder and email the link to innocential@innocentialdiaries.xyz. Make sure this email has been granted access to the folder. These 5 videos should be submitted before the deadline, 12 February 2023, 2359hrs GMT+2. We will then shortlist two teams, and these two teams would have to shoot the videos for the remaining 28 scenes (to make a total of 33 videos, one video for each of the scenes given). They are to submit these videos as described above before the deadline, 28 February 2023, 2359hrs GMT+2.

The winners will be announced within a week, on this page and on our social accounts. There will be 2 winners. The 1st place will be awarded $500US. The second place will be awarded $250US. The ranking will be done by a set of judges and it will be based on creativity, quality and excellence. The winning participants will be required to grant AfroPHC the copyrights and ownership of their video content before being awarded the cash prizes.

For questions and updates, kindly join our Competition Whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FB9mee2zrWxF5D2OgjGupF. We will be happy to provide any information necessary.

Best of luck!

Diabète Sucré | CPD Meeting 17 Nov

Prise en charge du diabète sucré (les formes les plus rencontrées) de la définition, physiopathologie jusqu’au traitement. Le webinaire se déroulera en français.

Webinar Title: Diabète Sucré

Objectives:

Retenir les symptômes du diabète sucrée
Connaitre les complications
Savoir prendre en charge avant de référer au spécialiste


Speaker: Dr Takam Mafoche Ruth Daniele

Formation de médecin généraliste obtenu à l’Université des Montagnes au Cameroun en 2012, diplôme de spécialité obtenu à l’université Félix Houphouët Boigny en Côte d’Ivoire en 2021, diplôme universitaire sur le pied diabétique obtenu à l’université Sorbonne en France en 2022.

Facilitator: Jamie Colloty

Date: Thursday, 17th of November 2022

Time: 15:00 Central Africa Time (GMT+2 / CAT)

Duration: 1 hour

CPD Points: 1

Register here: https://wcea.education/portfolio-item/diabete-sucree/

Chiawelo Community Practice

Chiawelo Community Practice is an experiment in developing community-oriented primary care (COPC) more strongly in South Africa, as a model for GP-led teams contracted to the National Health Insurance (NHI). It is part of the Chiawelo Community Health Centre in Soweto, a facility owned by the public health service in South Africa. It also functions as part of the Wits University teaching and research platform. It is led by a family physician (Prof. Shabir Moosa). The team includes a family physician, an occasionally rotating 1st-year family medicine registrar, one clinical associate, three medical interns rotating weekly, one professional nurse, three enrolled nurses (team leaders), and 30-42 CHWs. They are caring for 30 000+ residents from the community of Ward 11, 12, 15, 16, & 19 in strong teamwork. Local stakeholders are engaged strongly, supporting a growing targeted health promotion programme. This has resulted in low utilisation rates (less than one visit per person per year), easy access aligned to need, high satisfaction and high clinical quality. This has been despite the challenge of a reductionist PHC system, poor management support and poor public service culture. The results could be more impressive if panels were limited to 10 000, if there was a better team structure with a single doctor leading a team of 3–4 nurse/clinical associates and 10–12 CHWs and PHC provider units that are truly empowered to manage resources locally.

Les infections néonatales bactériennes | CPD Meeting 10 Nov

Véritable problème de santé publique dans les pays en voie de développement. Prise en charge non homologuée, et prévention moins couteuse que le traitement.

Webinar Title: Les infections néonatales bactériennes

Objectives:
Définir infections néonatales
Démarche diagnostique d’une infection néonatale bactérienne
Prendre en charge et prévenir les infections néonatales bactériennes
Speaker: Marguerite Edongue Hika

Passionnée par la médecine de l’enfant, compte se spécialiser en endocrinologie et médecine de l’adolescent.

Facilitator: Elie Badjo

Date: Thursday, 10th of November 2022

Time: 15:00 Central Africa Time (GMT+2 / CAT)

Duration: 1 hour

CPD Points: 1

Register here: https://wcea.education/portfolio-item/les-infections-neonatales-bacteriennes/

AFROPHC: Live Webinar September 1| Sickle Cell Anaemia: Disease Complications and Therapeutic Interventions

Join our next webinar, hosted & sponsored by the African Forum for Primary Health Care & WONCA Africa.



“Sickle Cell Anaemia: Disease Complications and Therapeutic Interventions”



The Webinar will be held in English with live translation into French.



Please share the event with your Organization’s Members &

Reserve your spot in the WCEA App.

AfroPHC: Monthly Research Meeting-6 September, 2022

Dear colleagues

Thank you for being part of the AfroPHC research mentorship programme.

We have 17 concept notes that have been submitted by the end of July. See them all listed here https://afrophc.org/afrophc-systems-research/ Some supervisors have reached out to these researchers. If you are interested in supervising a researcher and see an interesting concept note then reach out to the researcher by email (as listed there) to indicate your willingness to supervise the researcher in their endeavour.

We hope researchers will use the monthly meetings organised by Senkyire to attend, and present their research ideas and find a supervisor for themselves, even if you have not submitted a concept note ( for November meeting). Unfortunately this matching process takes a lot of organisation and we can do
no more than this. Reach out to Senkyire and the AfroPHC research team if you would like further assistance especially if you would like to present your research at the meetings.

PS; participants are required to read the following article and attached checklist beforehand ; bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/4/e043652.abstract
Price J, Willcox M, Dlamini V, et al. Care- seeking during fatal childhood illness in rural South Africa: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2021;11:e043652. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2020-043652

Our next meeting next Tuesday, 6th Sept [12-2 pm GMT, 1-3pm WAT, 2-4pm CAT/SAST and 3-5pm EAT], will be about “Getting
to grips with Qualitative Research” by Deborah
Lindell,DNP,RN,CNE,ANEF,FAAN




Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81670301810?pwd=Wk80aVc2OVlIK1BOUVk1UXpPNE1CUT09 Meeting ID: 816 7030 1810 Passcode: 501394

See useful readings below.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001 https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z https://www.manchesteropenhive.com/view/9781526136527/9781526136527.00012.xml https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-ofcontents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/conduct-focus-groups/main http://www.groundedtheory.com/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2018.1497149 .

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/13/117

https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048 . chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_64038_s mxx.pdf https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/31/3/498/2384737?login=false

https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042.

https://academic.oup.com/intqhc/article/19/6/349/1791966?login=false

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1468794117706869

https://www.coursera.support/s/article/209818613-Enrollment-options?language=en_US

Courses related to Qualitative Research (the link lists many, below are several- all Free to Enroll https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=qualitative%20research%20methods .

https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-methods

https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-data-collection-methods https://www.coursera.org/specializations/qualitative-research-design-and-methods-forpublic-health

https://www.coursera.org/learn/qualitative-research



STAY SAFE & GET VACCINATED!!!

Regards

Senkyire Ephraim Kumi, PGCert. HAT, ( BSc(Hons),RGN)
The Managing Editor, AHRO Review of Nursing & Midwifery
The Network:TUFH Fellow 2020

Join us this Friday to consult in Arabic Africa

We are really keen to get as many people engaging with AfroPHC and the draft Policy Framework. You can make comment here.
https://afrophc.org/2022/08/07/afrophc-draft-policy-framework-released-for-stakeholder-comment/ Join us 1-3pm GMT this Friday 19th August to meet with as many colleagues from Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya [with English-French-Arabic translators]. The consultation will be facilitated by Almoghira Abdella / Ahmed Sallam

The agenda is as follows. The link is below
Welcome/Introductions
Introduction to AfroPHC and Chapter Discussions on “What are the challenges of PHC in the region?”
Review of AfroPHC Policy Framework Discussions on “The Draft Policy Framework: what we like, don’t like and suggestions”
Discussions on “How we take AfroPHC forward?”
Join Zoom Meeting Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87667423120?pwd=R1p0NHY1ZlNDQ3dGTlRZcjduczlOUT09] ID: 876 6742 3120 | Passcode: 111364

Join the AfroPHC Arabaphone Africa WhatsApp group and engage in discussions before and after our consultations. https://chat.whatsapp.com/GdXGAOyn5Ko44S2U6NzPCf See more here [https://afrophc.org/chapters/].

We are very keen that as many local stakeholders participate. These include professional associations, ministries of health, accreditation / certification bodies, academics, patient advocacy groups etc. Please feel free to share this email to any key stakeholders you think should be there and ask them to join us to discuss AfroPHC and the Policy Framework.

Interested in CPD Meetings? Kindly visit https://afrophc.org/cpd/ for more!

Webinar August 18 | Cervical cancer; The crucial role of primary health care providers

Join our next webinar, hosted & sponsored by the African Forum for Primary Health Care & WONCA Africa.

“Cervical cancer; The crucial role of primary health care providers”

The Webinar will be held in English with live translation into French.

Please share the event with your Organization’s Members & reserve your spot in the WCEA App.

AfroPHC Newsletter August 2022

It has been an arduous task to prepare the next draft of the AfroPHC Policy Framework, after extensive discussions at the AfroPHC e-Conference 17-18th May. Sorry that we did not share anything in June and July! We have now fashioned a “Health care worker call for Africa to build effective PHC teams for PHC and UHC in Africa” It is now available for public comment after the Executive and Advisory Boards have engaged with it.

This second draft of the AfroPHC policy framework is still an argument from healthcare workers for policymakers to prioritise PHC teamwork for holistic care of empanelled populations in decentralised units of community practice. We see the definition of PHC services and modelling of teams in the light of country resources, emerging blended capitation payment systems in UHC reforms across Africa, the inclusion of private providers and the use of complexity theory in bottom-up organisation of PHC in Africa as critical supports that are needed to build PHC teams for UHC in Africa. See the document here and please feel free to comment on it [https://afrophc.org/2022/08/07/afrophc-draft-policy-framework-released-for-stakeholder-comment/].

We have been fortunate in winning a PHC Performance Initiative Micro-Grant of $40 000 to take the policy framework further. It was an incredibly strong pool of 200 applicants and our proposal rose to the top. The goal in our grant-seeking project is to deepen the draft AfroPHC Policy Framework on “Building PHC teams for UHC in Africa” by focusing on EFFECTIVENESS. The target participants and audiences will be AfroPHC members, PHC team members and other stakeholders as well as young health professionals and students at regional and country levels. Activities will be mostly online across African countries, with hybrid Final Workshop of the AfroPHC Executive and Advisory Board in Johannesburg, South Africa 25th-26th October 2022 and a virtual Launch Event on 12th December 2022. See more about the overall grant activities here [https://afrophc.org/2022/08/07/phc-performance-initiative-micro-grant/].

Our process starts in earnest as we have until end October to use the funds. We have a list of regions and stakeholder groups we would like to engage: Central, Southern, Western, Eastern, Arabic and Portuguese Africa. See the detailed list of countries and key stakeholders with dates of consultations and join the WhatsApp group for these regions. See more here [https://afrophc.org/chapters/]. We are very keen that as many local stakeholders participate. These include professional associations, ministries of health, accreditation / certification bodies, academics, patient advocacy groups etc. Please feel free to share this email to any key stakeholders you think should be there and ask them to join us to discuss AfroPHC and the Policy Framework.

We keen to collect cases on ““Building effective multidisciplinary primary health care teams for universal health coverage in Africa” and have set aside prizes worth $1000 for this purpose. We are looking for short, real-life stories about an initiative, project or advocacy campaign that highlight interdisciplinary and interprofessional teamwork being implemented within the African context, demonstrating person and family centered care and helping communities and societies transition to healthy populations. Sharing experiences of less successful case studies and lessons learned is also welcome. The deadline for submitting the case studies is 11th September. Winners will be announced by 31st October. The case studies can be submitted in text format (1200 words max), following the guiding questions, by email to info@afrophc.org. Complementing the case studies with visual materials, such as photos from the field, would be most welcome. See details here https://afrophc.org/2022/08/07/call-for-submissions-of-short-cases/

The AfroPHC Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 19th May agreed to some few changes. A key change is that we will have associate membership having full access to all the current benefits of AfroPHC. We have created full membership at a fee of $20 for individual members and $40 for institutional members with the additional benefit of having vote/s at the Annual General Meeting and being able to stand for election to the Executive Board (EB). We will begin this process from November 2022. Speaking of elections we welcome our three new EB members: Dr Umar Ibrahim (CHEW, Nurse with PhD from Nigeria) (https://afrophc.org/conference-agm/agm-2022/umar-ibrahim-2/), Mr Innocent Somboi (Clinical Officer from Tanzania) (https://afrophc.org/about/innocent-somboi/) and Dr Mercy Wanjala (Family Physician from Kenya) (https://afrophc.org/conference-agm/agm-2022/mercy-wanjala-2/) [who has since resigned to become the Deputy Executive Coordinator].

We always have wonderful AfroPHC Policy Workshops. Mercy has organised several: “Point of Care Testing in African PHC” 21st June [https://afrophc.org/2022/06/20/afrophc-workshop-21st-june-labs-poct-in-african-phc/], “Onehealth n African PHC” July [https://afrophc.org/2022/07/18/afrophc-workshop-19-july-onehealth-in-african-phc/], and now plans one on “Workers Health in African PHC” 16th August [https://afrophc.org/2022/08/07/afrophc-workshop-16-aug-workers-health-in-african-phc/]. Do join us at the next one.

AfroPHC also provides great value for members at no cost: management course, research support, CPD and the development of a family medicine postgraduate diploma for doctors, nurse clinicians and clinical officers.

See this article on a South African model for community practice https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2022-03-07-this-is-how-nhi-can-shine-doctor-behind-soweto-clinic-that-broke-the-mould/

A useful article on “African primary healthcare as a complex adaptive system” has been published and is available in pre-publication form on a webpage here. It is an important support to the AfroPHC Policy Framework. See here https://profmoosa.com/article-african-primary-healthcare-as-a-complex-adaptive-system/

See below a sample of useful posts on the AfroPHC blog and keep tabs on it.

Blood Exposure Accidents among Health Care Personnel
Are Africa’s health resources overly focused on HIV/AIDS?
WHO publication “Implication of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Patient Safety: A Rapid Review”, Tuesday, 09 August 2022
Monkeypox declared global health emergency by WHO as cases surge
LeBoHA’s June Newsletter
Don’t forget to engage with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and keep in touch!

AfroPHC Policy Workshop on Workers Health in African PHC

Join us at our next interactive AfroPHC Policy Workshop on “Workers Health in African PHC” 11am-2pm Ghana, 12pm-3pm Nigeria, 1-4 pm Central/Southern Africa and 2-5pm Kenya next Tuesday 16th August. Check your local time here.

Our panel, moderated by Dr Jamie Colloty, is made up of the following expert.
· Dr. Dorothy Ngajilo, Occupational Medicine Specialist, World Health Organization (WHO) Global Occupational and Workplace Health Programme
After the panel discussion of 1 hour, we will break up into small groups with specific facilitators / language groups for 45 minutes to discuss the following question/s.
What are some of the positive and negative experiences that have affected yourhealth and safety as a healthcare worker?
What do you understand by the term burnout and what are some of the factors thatlead to burnout among primary health care workers in Africa?
What policies and strategies would you recommend protecting the health and safetyof primary health care workers in Africa?
We will close the meeting with feedback and summarise key issues. We want to build discussions into the draft AfroPHC Policy Document “Building the PHC Team for UHC in Africa”. The panel and feedback will have French translations. See more details, including speaker’s bios here.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85023059229?pwd=aWttVUh5ZTVFdHhRbElKSTBJVjVrZz09
Meeting ID: 850 2305 9229 | Passcode: 241734

Join us this Friday to consult in Central Africa

Join us 12-2pm GMT this Friday 12th August to meet with as many colleagues from Cameroon, DR Congo, Chad, Congo, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea [with English – French translators]. The consultation will be facilitated by Francoise Nwabufo and Elie Badjo.

The agenda is as follows. The link is below
Welcome/Introductions
Introduction to AfroPHC and Chapters and Discussions on “What are the challenges of PHC in the region?”
Review of AfroPHC Policy Framework and Discussions on “The Draft Policy Framework: what we like, don’t like and suggestions”
Discussions on “How we take AfroPHC forward?”
Join Zoom Meeting Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87667423120?pwd=R1p0NHY1ZlNDQ3dGTlRZcjduczlOUT09] ID: 876 6742 3120 | Passcode: 111364

See more here [https://afrophc.org/chapters/]. We are very keen that as many local stakeholders participate. These include professional associations, ministries of health, accreditation / certification bodies, academics, patient advocacy groups etc. Please feel free to share this email to any key stakeholders you think should be there and ask them to join us to discuss AfroPHC and the Policy Framework.

Webinar: Management of Epilepsy in Primary Health Care

Join our next webinar, hosted & sponsored by the African Forum for Primary Health Care & WONCA Africa.


“Management of Epilepsy in Primary Health Care”


The Webinar will be held in English.


Please share the event with your Organization’s Members &
reserve your spot in the WCEA App…more

Announcing PHC Advocacy Micro-Grant awardees

Dear Allies,

Today, the PHCPI Secretariat is thrilled to announce the thirteen (13) organizations selected for PHC Advocacy Micro-Grants in 2022 — all either longstanding or newly joined members of the Allies Improving PHC.
I would also like to extend another huge thank you to everyone who took the time to apply or reshare the application several months ago — the PHCPI Secretariat received more than 200 impressive applications, a true testament to the dedication and demand for action on PHC, as well as the need to continue supporting local champions to engage to the fullest. It’s your energy and passion that keeps this group alive and continues to push the needle on strong primary health care.

More to come: In the days ahead, we will also at last be announcing the new Advisors to the Allies Improving PHC, who will be instrumental in guiding this group through the next few months – including as we aim to finalize and launch our Allies’ open letter ahead of next year’s High-Level Meeting on UHC.

Stay tuned, and congratulations again to the 13 awardees.

Best,
Emily & Team PHCPI

###

Congratulations PHC Advocacy Micro-Grant awardees:
The African Forum for Primary Health Care @AfroPHC
Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights @arhrghana
Community Working Group on Health @CWGH1
George Institute for Global Health/Primary Health Care Research Consortium @GeorgeInstIN/@care_PHCRC
International Alliance of Patient Organizations’ Patients for Patient Safety Observatory @IapoP4ps
Inuka Success Organization @inukasuccess
Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance @KhanaCambodia
People’s Health Movement @PHMTanzania
Stage Media Arts CBO, Bungoma County @stagemediaarts
Stawisha Dada @stadakenya
Success Capital Organisation @ProSuccessBW
TINADA Youth Organization @TinadaOrg
White Ribbon Alliance @WRAMalawi…more

AFROPHC Advisory Board Meeting: 5 Aug 2022

Dear colleagues

Our last AfroPHC Advisory Board Meeting of the African Forum for Primary Health Care (AfroPHC) was 6th May 2022 in preparation for the AfroPHC Conference and AGM. Minutes attached. The Conference/AGM successfully discussed the AfroPHC Policy Framework with the revised draft attached now (and some unresolved issues still highlighted). Apologies for the delay!
We are really chuffed that AfroPHC has been awarded $40 000 by PHCPI to deepen the draft AfroPHC Policy Framework on “Building PHC teams for UHC in Africa”. Activities will be extensive online consultations on the document across Africa over August-October, with a hybrid Final Workshop in South Africa 25-26 October 2022 and a virtual Launch Event around 12th December 2022.

Please join the next AfroPHC ADVISORY Board Meeting next week Friday August 5th, 2021 1-3pm Ghana/GMT, 2-4pm Nigeria, 3-5pm SA, 4-6pm Kenya. Confirm your local time here PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS AN HOUR LATER THAN USUAL AS AGREED IN OUR LAST EB MEETING.

Please join the Zoom Meeting with this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88101803423?pwd=K01yNFkxVEtjQWtNVmRDeGN2SUFrUT09 Meeting ID: 881 0180 3423 Passcode: 791293

We are also inviting leaders in the AfroPHC Youth Hub to be part of this meeting. We hope to briefly update you on AfroPHC organisational progress, and to more extensively discuss this iteration of the AfroPHC Policy Call and the AfroPHC Workshop in October. We are really keen to see as many of you at the October workshop in person. Please see draft agenda below.
Welcome and brief introductions
Adoption of minutes of last meeting/matters arising
EB Report (Brief)
AfroPHC Policy Call Draft “Building effective PHC Teams for UHC in Africa”
Closure
See you on the 5th August!

AfroPHC Webinar 6pm (GMT) Tues 17th March 2020

Dear colleagues

The African Forum for Primary Health Care (AfroPHC) is the voice of the PC/PHC team and its supporters, sharing and supporting each other in advocating for PHC. We want you to join us. We are having a series of webinars in a work up to the AfroPHC Conference 19-21 June 2020. Register for it!

Please register here for our second webinar on Tues 17th March 2020 at 6pm Ghana, 7pm Nigeria, 8pm SA, 9pm Kenya. 

The webinar will include luminaries from family medicine talking about family doctors, associate clinicians and African PHC. 

They will share a bit of background on organisations in the field, their efforts in the space of Primary Health Care in Africa as well as their views on the AfroPHC process.

Please forward this to your friends and colleagues.
rgds, AfroPHC Core Team