Asamankese(E/R), April 6, GNA - Two hundred and thirty (230) licensed chemical sellers in the Eastern and Volta Regions have undergone six weeks training on how to offer quality health care services to their clients.

The Ghana Social Marketing Foundation Enterprises Limited (GSMFEL) under its essential medicine franchise programme, known as CAREshops, to train the chemical sellers, operating mainly in the rural and peri-rural areas.

Mr David Ekow Mensah, General Manager of GSMFL made this known when he presented certificates to 30 chemical sellers in the West Akyem District who have completed the course at a ceremony at Asamankese. He said the sellers were exposed to topics like, "Appropriate Entrepreneurial Skills" and "Skills In Rational Use of Drugs".

Mr Mensah observed that the training had enabled the chemical sellers to operate their businesses more efficiently and to participate in "vertical health programmes" such as the "roll back" malaria programme.

He said additional benefits of the CAREshops was the potential of the sellers to collect data on drugs dispensing which is improving on health information.

The General Manager explained that although there were nearly 800 licensed chemical sellers in Ghana the quality and reliability of their services differ.

This he said prompted the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support the GSMFEL to form the essential medicines franchise.