Training – FAST Package

As part of the FGS Accelerated Scale Together (FAST) Package an online training was carried out through the coordination of Bridges to Development and the Geneva Learning Foundation. Registration was open to all health professionals working in Sub-Saharan African with priority for health professionals working in FAST Package partner countries. A total of 1527 health professionals representing 60 Anglophone and Francophone countries registered their interest in the training. 234 health professionals were accepted for the Anglophone training and 250 health professionals were accepted for the Francophone training. Learners were split into health professionals who do pelvic exam and those who do not. Case-based scenarios were prepared for small group work. Subject matter experts from around the world provided feedback to the learner’s interpretation and interventions on the scenarios. In order to complete the training, learners had to develop their own action plans to address FGS within their own spheres of influence and comment on the action plan of their peers.

Resources

FGS Training Competencies

The Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) core competencies were defined through an intensive virtual workshop in July 2020, bringing together over 60 participants from 24 countries, working in 15 FGS-endemic countries in Africa, and from a variety of professional backgrounds. The result of the workshop was a set of 27 FGS competencies that WHO has reviewed. Please see below the link for the FGS Core Competencies in English, French, and Portuguese.

Workshop/Training on FGS

The FAST package team compiled the most common questions emerging from participants during the online FGS workshop to which the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) prepared detailed responses. This Frequent Asked Question (FAQ) document counts with over 30 questions covering topics on the diagnosis of FGS as well as public policies. The FAQ was initially drafted in English and later translated to French and Portuguese.

Dr. Julie Jacobson (one of the FAST Package Principal Investigator and Managing Partner, Bridges to Development U.S.A) and Dr. Armodou Garba Djirmay (WHO) developed an introductory presentation on FGS in English and French, respectively. The lecture was presented during the online FGS workshop on May-June 2021.

FGS Impact Accelerator Training and Action Plans

The FGS Impact Accelerator provided opportunities for learners that have taken part in the FGS workshop May-June 2021 to share their experiences and knowledge with FGS and discuss them with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Following the synchronous learning sessions, learners identified what they could do within their spheres of influence to address FGS. They developed action plans on how to problem-solve the issues within their local context. The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) facilitated a unique FGS accelerator approach to empower and support motivated FGS scholars in implementing their action plans. Please click the links below to listen to TGLF FGS Impact Accelerator special event and some exciting stories on how FGS scholars across the globe are leading change.

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation coverage of FGS Subject Matter Training in Ghana

Dr. Alison Krentel, Dr. Julie Jacobson, Dr. Margaret Gyapong, and Dr. Kazeem Arogundade were part of a health worker training in Ghana as part of the FAST Package project funded by Grand Challenges Canada. This workshop was supported by the Coalition for Operational Research for NTDs in Atlanta and focused on training subject matter experts in FGS. Participants included clinicians, nurses, health information officers, and other health personnel from across Ghana.

FAST Package Project SME Training news coverage