The Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH) celebrated Vocational Training Days 2023 on July 12 and 13 at the UHAS Hohoe Campus. The purpose of the yearly celebration is to allow all stakeholders involved in the UHAS Vocational Training (VT) programme to interact and share experiences. VT is a flagship programme of University of Health and Allied Sciences, curated to adequately prepare students to give them an edge when competing on the job market.
The agenda featured presentations by students who participated at the three VT levels, preceptors and supervisors of the 2021-2022 session, and directors from partnering health directorates and facilities. The lineup of VIP speakers included the Vice Chancellor, the school’s dean, and a special delegation from Yonsei University, the major UHAS partner in the VT programme.
Mr. Charles Azagba (left), Director of Health for Hohoe Municipality, who chaired the occasion, noted that receiving UHAS students into their facilities has been of tremendous support to the various beneficiary districts as some people continue to refuse posting to rural areas. He said, “UHAS is a necessary stakeholder and not just any university but a good training ground.”
Vice Chancellor Professor Lydia Aziato told the audience that VT is a necessary component of UHAS training, without which one cannot graduate: “Vocational training is a core requirement of all health-training institutions,” and called on the students to ensure they exhaust all hours assigned to them for their VT.
She advised them to carry the ethos of excellence, integrity, innovation, service and care into their training wherever they find themselves, as these would go a long way in alleviating the pains of their clients and help build a robust career for them. Prof. Aziato also encouraged stakeholders to attach research components to the VT to help enrich teaching, learning and research.
Mr. Iddrisu Basintale, VT Coordinator, said the programme is structured to ensure that all students undergo the three phases of the training, which includes observation during the first phase of the training, working with preceptors during the second phase, and active participation during the third phase. These phases are to ensure that the students acquire key competencies and become valuable assets wherever they go.
Preceptors from the Afadjato South district, Hohoe Municipal and the Volta Regional Hospital took turns in sharing their experiences with the students and the University. They all attested to the hardworking nature of the students and their willingness to learn. They also suggested some financial support to help take more students on the field.