Entrance University College of Health Sciences (EUCHS) on Saturday held its maiden 'White Coat' Ceremony for fifth-year students at the Sika Hall inside Atinka Media Village in Accra.

 Entrance University College of Health Sciences is the first private University College to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the West Africa sub-region and it is affiliated with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The White Coat ceremony ushers the students into the clinical phase of their professional studies.

The Dean of EUCHS, Dr Barima Afrane, congratulated the  White Coat students saying, “Today, you are transitioning into the clinical phase of your professional studies. This white coat ceremony is conducted to congratulate you on all that you have achieved to reach this point. While you celebrate, take this moment to reflect on the magnitude of your next step. You must understand the symbolic importance of your white coats”.

According to him, the white coat symbolizes purity, honesty, trustworthiness, and humility adding, “Therefore, when you wear these white coats, you are not only distinguishing yourself f professionally, but you are also distinguishing yourself morally and ethically.

“As you proceed through your clinical phase, you will be expected to adopt the virtues of responsibility, duty, honour, respect, and compassion for all, throughout the remainder of your professional career. Take this role seriously,” he said

Dr. Afrane explained that the ceremony marked a milestone in the journey toward the careers of thirty-eight (38) brave, enthusiastic, and goal-orientation individuals.  “We describe these students as brave because they embarked on a journey into unchartered territories,” he said.

Dr Afrane took the opportunity to commend  Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I  for setting up  Entrance University College of Health Sciences (EUCHS).  “In 2016, Mr. Amo Tobbin assembled a team of experts to help bring his idea to fruition. They were soon able to affiliate Entrance University with Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST), “he disclosed.

He further revealed that by 2018, the team of experts received approval from the National Accreditation Board (now Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, (GTEC)) for the Pharm D program.

The  President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH)  Samuel Kow Donkoh, who was the Keynote Speaker spoke on the topic “ Tomorrow’s Pharmacist” urging the students to adhere to the ethics of the Pharmacy Profession.

He said Pharmacists are now full-fledged participants in the health sector.

He said “Tomorrow’s pharmacist” must be adaptable to changes within the healthcare space and willing to embrace technology.

According to  Dr. Donkor, the digital health industry is growing at an extraordinary pace and pharmacists need to take technology seriously pointing out that digital health is becoming a core component of chronic  disease management.

“Tommorrow’s pharmacist must be ready to embrace technology is healthcare. The digital health industry is growing at an extraordinary pace and has undoubtedly been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Digital health” and “artificial intelligence” have become buzzwords both within and outside of health care. As we begin to see more of these technologies implemented in health care settings, it is essential for pharmacists to be involved.

“Pharmacists are frontline health care professionals who have consistent touchpoints with patients. With digital health becoming a core component of chronic disease management, whether it be in symptom monitoring, adherence tracking, or even delivery of therapy itself, pharmacists play an integral role in leveraging technologies to improve patient experiences and outcomes,” he added

He concluded that “Tomorrow’s pharmacists” must be ready to embrace the continuously revolving role of the pharmacists. 

“The pharmacists of tomorrow must take advantage of the opportunities presented by technology and AI. Finally, tomorrow’s pharmacist must prepare himself for the diverse career pathways that are available to the pharmacist,”  Dr Donkor SAID.