I am Grace Musa Ebuga -Miner, a pharmacist working with Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
I had the privileged to be sent to the United Kingdom on secondment by the ARISE team for three months (May – August 2023).
My secondment experience was in Evelina, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospitals along with some home care experiences.
My main objectives for the secondment were to improve my knowledge, skills on clinical pharmacy, medication therapy management and supply chain management. Special emphasis was to be on sickle cell disease therapy and management, work package 2 and 4.
The secondment experience was never boring, actually challenging. I was able to acquire more knowledge and skills on clinical pharmacy practice, medicine use management and logistics management.
The respect I experienced within the professionals (Doctors and Pharmacists) in particular was amazing. There power tussle was minimal and Pharmacists are encouraged to further develop their skills through their contributions and given opportunities. Pharmacists could access every patient information to aid in their contribution to the care like laboratory results. Pharmacists were trained to write some prescriptions and even take samples and order for some laboratory tests.
I wish to acknowledge the reception I enjoyed from the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians in these facilities. Most importantly that from the chief Pharmacist of Evelina Hospital, Nanna Christiansen and Soni Bhatt. Their support made my pioneer Pharmacy secondment to their facility easier. I was able to shadow many pharmacy practices within the hospital and this has improved my skills. My experience at the Sickle cell clinic and in the mountain ward with Pharm Rachel has left me with lots of challenges to work on while back in Nigeria.
During my stay in the UK, I got great support and encouragement from the Church. The love I experienced from members was also extended to care for few sickle cell patients back home. The beach fellowship outings and the non-tribalistic and sectional experience is still mind blowing.
Actually, I could say that these hospitals had close to perfect set up. The clinical guidances and guidelines in place leaves nothing to chance in terms of patients care.
Finally, I really want to appreciate our hosting and sending organizations, Prof Inusa Baba, Mrs Bola Ibilola, Dr Wale Atoyebi, OlaTijani, Serena and Nanna Christiansen. Prof Baba really kept us on our toes every time and this made us stronger. Dr Wale’s treat to the Plateau secondees was amazing and coincidentally fell on my birthday. I really enjoyed my stay in the UK and the ARISE team made it so.
