Pharmacy students of the University of Ghana have been urged to leverage the opportunities of technology to develop innovative solutions for improved healthcare delivery.
Venturing into areas like telehealth, teleconsulting, and tele pharmacy would upgrade their professional skills to respond effectively to patients’ needs. Dr Ruby Aileen Mensah Assan, the Director, Strategic Health Purchasing, National Health Insurance Authority, who gave the advice, said: “We will be proud of pharmacists who are leaders of change and advocates for better care, more efficient systems, and improved patient outcomes.”
Dr Annan said this at the White Coat Ceremony for level 500 students of the University of Ghana School of Pharmacy in Accra. The White Coat Ceremony is a tradition that signifies a student’s transition into the clinical years of the pharmacy programme. The students were donned a white coat, a recognized symbol of clinical service and patient care.
It was on the theme: “Prescription for Change: Reimagining Healthcare.” She said it was the aspiration of every country to deliver a healthcare system that was inclusive, patient-centred, and responsive to the needs of society. The presence of pharmacists, she said, had infused credibility and professionalism and contributed to improving access to medicines and services under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr Annan encouraged the students to think of all the areas that directly or indirectly facilitate healthcare delivery and access and bravely venture into them. “Think about entrepreneurship; think about politics to see how we can positively impact healthcare delivery through policy formulation.” She urged the students to take pride in their profession, embrace the future with confidence, and never lose sight of the impact they would have on the lives of individuals and communities.
A speech read on behalf of Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, touched on the students’ ability to embody the values of professionalism, compassion, and integrity in every interaction with patients and the community at large. “Pharmacy as a profession is evolving rapidly. You must be innovative, adaptable, and forward-thinking as you integrate new technologies into patient care,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the importance of the profession by not only helping in the treatment of illnesses but also the prevention of diseases. She urged the pharmacists to continue to uphold the values of the university – integrity, commitment, respect, and loyalty –which were essential to their growth.
Bernard Antwi Osei, Vice President, University of Ghana Pharmacy Students Association, commended the school authorities and all who supported them in their journey. Awards were presented to some faculty members for their meritorious service and to some students for their exceptional performance.
GNA
