Health workers in North East trained to improve adolescent healthcare

Health professionals in Ghana's North East Region have completed a four-day workshop to enhance their skills in delivering healthcare to adolescents. Funded by UNFPA Ghana, the training brought together 48 nurses, midwives, and public health experts from the Regional Health Directorate and North East Regional Coordinating Council in Nalerigu. The initiative aims to address various challenges adolescents face, such as reproductive health issues, mental health concerns, and gender-based violence.

The curriculum went beyond theory to emphasize practical, patient-centered care through interactive role-playing and collaborative sessions. Participants focused on improving communication techniques to ensure health facilities become safe and non-judgmental spaces for young patients. A key aspect of the training was survivor-centered care, teaching health workers to identify abuse signs and navigate referral pathways effectively.

A crucial output of the workshop was the creation of district-specific action plans. These plans aim to translate clinical knowledge into community-level implementation, fostering a deeper understanding of gender equity and dismantling barriers that prevent adolescents from seeking medical assistance. Dr Rauf Sulemana, the Deputy Director of Public Health in the North East Region, emphasized the importance of continuous professional development in the healthcare sector, noting the workshop's success in highlighting the need for sustained implementation through mentorship and inter-agency collaboration.

The initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring adolescents in the North East Region receive high-quality, dignified, and responsive care.