Health staff trained on ICT

By Albert Futukpor, GNA Tamale, Mar 26, GNA - Health staff of selected facilities in three regions have been trained on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve their skills on the use of computers to help deliver maternal and child health messages to expectant mothers.

The training formed part of the Technology for Maternal and Child Health (T4MCH) project, which used innovative ICT to deliver maternal and child health information in the form of text messages and videos to expectant mothers to help curb maternal and child deaths.

T4MCH is being implemented in 33 health facilities in Northern, Upper West and Volta Regions by Savana Signatures, a non-governmental organisation, in partnership with Salasan Inc and Mustimuhw Solutions with funding from Global Affairs Canada.

The Tamale training, which spanned three days, brought together midwives and community health nurses from four participating health facilities in the Sagnarigu District, which included Kalpohini, Kanvili, Choggu and Bagabaga.

Similar trainings had been held at the participating health facilities in the three regions.

Mr Stephen Agbenyo, Executive Director of Savana Signatures, who spoke during the closing of the training in Tamale, said trainees would receive computers and smart phones to help them to disseminate information on health issues especially maternal and child health to expectant mothers.

Mr Agbenyo said the T4MCH was to complement government's efforts at reducing maternal and child deaths adding 'Knowledge Sharing Sessions, a form of health talk that focuses on maternal and child health is being created to improve sharing and learning by women, their partners and families.'

It is estimated that 11 per cent of female deaths in the country occur during child birth hence the T4MCH project to encourage women to patronise health facilities whiles pregnant.

He urged trainees to constantly practise the knowledge gained to improve their performance.

Madam Bima Fuseini, Midwife in-charge at Bagabaga Health Centre said the training and the use of ICT tools would help her to reach many clients and educate them on what to do to ensure safe delivery.

GNA