Health 2 Go (H2Go), a community-based primary healthcare initiative, conducted its 12th refresher training session in the Wawase, Ghana site, the first to be held in the new Center for Leadership, Innovation, and Prosperity (CLIP) building at Ensign Global College. This session on March 21-22, 2024, is part of H2Go’s ongoing effort to improve health outcomes in Ghana’s rural and underserved areas. H2Go uses an innovative social franchise approach that allows for flexible scalability and adaptation that ensures long-term viability through an adaptable financial model to support sustainability. As a social franchise, H2Go enables franchisees to access critical resources for localized implementation, which enhances community health services and aids in achieving health system goals such as SDG target 3.8 (achieving universal health coverage).

Unique Approach to Training
Unlike traditional models that rely on distant healthcare facilities, H2Go delivers essential healthcare services directly to communities, supported by an effective training regimen. The training program for Community Based Agents (CBAs) is rigorous and aligns with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Training includes classroom sessions and clinical practice in local hospitals, held biannually to ensure consistency. This structure ensures that CBAs, supervisors, and managers remain skilled in current healthcare practices. The practical aspect of the training allows CBAs to conduct assessments, support the management and referrals of common illnesses, counsel caregivers, and document cases effectively, addressing community health needs proficiently.

Empowering Local Health Workers
The most recent training for the H2Go Wawase site was led by Joyce Adjei, Alexander Hagan, Dr. James Avoka, local Ghana Health Service health professionals, and Dr. Stephen Manortey, in-country principal investigator and director for H2Go. In addition to the training team, coordination and logistic efforts were led by local H2Go team members, Moselle Brown and Gideon Acheampong. All 10 CBAs and 6 supervisors from the Wawase site participated in the 2-day training.

The first day included enhancing diagnostic skills and effective record-keeping and reviewing rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to identify the danger signs of malaria in pregnant women and infants, and This practical training also introduced the use of thermometers for fever detection, moving away from the traditional tactile methods.

Clinical Skills and Equipment Enhancement
The second day focused on applying clinical skills in real-world settings, with practice sessions at Asitey and Yokwenor Health Centers. The training updated the CBAs on managing illnesses like malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia and introduced new equipment monitoring forms to ensure the readiness of medical tools. The session ended with the distribution of updated equipment, including bicycles, and the introduction of professional agreement forms for CBAs.
At the end of the second day, all CBAs received and passed a written certification exam, confirming their proficiency in the skills covered during the training.

Building a Sustainable Impact
The introduction of new tools and protocols ensures that Health 2 Go remains a leading force in community health, adapting to community needs while aligning with global health standards. The success of these training sessions highlights their vital role in improving healthcare access and outcomes in underserved areas. If you would like to support Health 2 Go and its initiatives, please consider donating here.