Finally we returned to Cameroon to conduct two kick-off workshops in Douala! The training was organized In collaboration with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services and generously funded by Janssen, Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson. A total of 104 nurses and medical doctors were trained in the field of HIV prevention, treatment and care. During the kick-off workshop participants enjoyed several presentations and practiced with the elearning themselves.
After a three-month self-study period, 103 participants attended the follow-up workshop in Douala, Cameroon in March 2018. During the 2-day follow-up workshop the participants enjoyed presentations by local experts in the field on toxicity of ART, mental health and HIV, stigma and discrimination, palliative care and HIV, nutrition and HIV, pediatric HIV and HIV-TB and stigma and discrimination. That way all participants were one handshake away from the local professionals, they can consult in the future.
The presentation regarding stigma and discrimination was of high value for the participants, it gave insight in the daily life of a person living with HIV. The personal experience during health visits are rarely shared with health workers Some comments about what the participants learned are presented below:
“ I learned that being infected by HIV virus is not the end, the testimony was really encouraging. I will shall subsequently discuss this issue with patients.”
“ Today, I have learned all but the most important thing is stigma and discrimination which I will use it daily and also share with others mostly patients through the wonderful testimony to give them hope of life.”
At the end of the 2-day follow-up workshop, 102 participants successfully completed the course and received their certificate! The certificate is not the end, but the beginning: all participants received free access to all online courses of Health[e]Foundation to continue their education and update their medical knowledge.
The blended learning approach was a very successful one in Cameroon and we truly hope to train more of such motivated healthcare professionals in the future!
