Conference abstract
Training on primary health care at the Dschang University
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:23(49).26
Nov 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.23.49.2810
Archived on: 26 Nov 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Primary health care, training program, University of Dschang
Poster
Training on primary health care at the Dschang University
Earnest Njih Tabah1,2,3,&, Ateudjieu J1,4,5, Djam CA1, Epie Bekolo C1, Mapa-Tassou C1, Whegang S1, Kouanfack C1, Choukem SP1
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Dschang, West Cameroon, Cameroon, 2National Yaws, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy and Buruli ulcer Control Committee, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Centre Region, Cameroon, 3Research Initiative in Tropical and Community Health (RITCH), Yaoundé, Centre Region, Cameroon, 4Meilleur Action en Santé (M.A. Santé), Yaoundé, Centre Région, Cameroon, 5Division of Health Operations Research, Cameroon Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: cognizant that health is a fundamental human right and given the prevailing poor health status, especially in developing countries, compounded by inadequate and inequitable distribution of health resources, a conference on primary health care (PHC) was convened at Alma-Ata in 1978. PHC was declared as key to achieving health for all citizens, and the district health system (HDS) was instituted to accomplish its implementation. Through the Department of Public Health, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Dschang provides theoretical and practical training for high-level health professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to strengthen and promote PHC in Cameroon and beyond.
Methods: PHC is introduced at the undergraduate level and taught in detail at the master’s level to medicine, pharmacy, kinesitherapy, biomedical sciences, and public health students. Theoretical Course Content: The course content of PHC includes: 1) the definition, characteristics, nature, and elements of PHC, 2) the principles of PHC, emphasizing community participation and the services under PHC, 3) the concept of the HDS, the components of a health district, and the administrative and technical functional structures of a HDS, 4) the health district as an operational level of the national health system, 5) the minimum and complementary packages of activities implemented in the health district, 6) community health assessment and the role of a primary health worker, and 7) epidemiological surveillance, etc. Field Internships: Field internships for PHC training are organized at different levels of study with varied objectives: i. In the second year of medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical science studies, students participate in a 4-week field placement as part of a “community immersion” program. This experience introduces students to community health work through problem-solving approaches. ii. In the third year for biomedical science students, and the fourth year for medical and pharmaceutical students, a 4-week PHC field internship is conducted. During this internship, students gain an understanding of health area operations as a sub-level within the health district. They learn the role of an integrated health center as the technical and coordinating unit for all health activities within a health area and the implementation of the minimum package of activities. Students also conduct community assessments of major health problems in the area. They join the health area teams and participate in executing activities planned by the health area chief. iii. In the sixth year of medical studies, students undertake a 12-week internship in integrated medical practice at the health district level. This internship enables students to practice hospital-based medicine and explore community health in-depth, covering the full range of PHC’s complementary activities, including curative, preventive, and health promotion services. Students also gain exposure to health administration, epidemiological surveillance, and operational health research.
Conclusion: PHC is a core component of the training program offered by the University of Dschang. The primary goal is to produce high-level health professionals capable of strengthening health systems in developing countries through the implementation of PHC, which remains relevant 46 years after its declaration in 1978.
Training on primary health care at the Dschang University
Earnest Njih Tabah1,2,3,&, Ateudjieu J1,4,5, Djam CA1, Epie Bekolo C1, Mapa-Tassou C1, Whegang S1, Kouanfack C1, Choukem SP1
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Dschang, West Cameroon, Cameroon, 2National Yaws, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy and Buruli ulcer Control Committee, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Centre Region, Cameroon, 3Research Initiative in Tropical and Community Health (RITCH), Yaoundé, Centre Region, Cameroon, 4Meilleur Action en Santé (M.A. Santé), Yaoundé, Centre Région, Cameroon, 5Division of Health Operations Research, Cameroon Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: cognizant that health is a fundamental human right and given the prevailing poor health status, especially in developing countries, compounded by inadequate and inequitable distribution of health resources, a conference on primary health care (PHC) was convened at Alma-Ata in 1978. PHC was declared as key to achieving health for all citizens, and the district health system (HDS) was instituted to accomplish its implementation. Through the Department of Public Health, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Dschang provides theoretical and practical training for high-level health professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to strengthen and promote PHC in Cameroon and beyond.
Methods: PHC is introduced at the undergraduate level and taught in detail at the master’s level to medicine, pharmacy, kinesitherapy, biomedical sciences, and public health students. Theoretical Course Content: The course content of PHC includes: 1) the definition, characteristics, nature, and elements of PHC, 2) the principles of PHC, emphasizing community participation and the services under PHC, 3) the concept of the HDS, the components of a health district, and the administrative and technical functional structures of a HDS, 4) the health district as an operational level of the national health system, 5) the minimum and complementary packages of activities implemented in the health district, 6) community health assessment and the role of a primary health worker, and 7) epidemiological surveillance, etc. Field Internships: Field internships for PHC training are organized at different levels of study with varied objectives: i. In the second year of medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical science studies, students participate in a 4-week field placement as part of a “community immersion” program. This experience introduces students to community health work through problem-solving approaches. ii. In the third year for biomedical science students, and the fourth year for medical and pharmaceutical students, a 4-week PHC field internship is conducted. During this internship, students gain an understanding of health area operations as a sub-level within the health district. They learn the role of an integrated health center as the technical and coordinating unit for all health activities within a health area and the implementation of the minimum package of activities. Students also conduct community assessments of major health problems in the area. They join the health area teams and participate in executing activities planned by the health area chief. iii. In the sixth year of medical studies, students undertake a 12-week internship in integrated medical practice at the health district level. This internship enables students to practice hospital-based medicine and explore community health in-depth, covering the full range of PHC’s complementary activities, including curative, preventive, and health promotion services. Students also gain exposure to health administration, epidemiological surveillance, and operational health research.
Conclusion: PHC is a core component of the training program offered by the University of Dschang. The primary goal is to produce high-level health professionals capable of strengthening health systems in developing countries through the implementation of PHC, which remains relevant 46 years after its declaration in 1978.
