Michael Mireku Opoku
Pharmacist and Epidemiologist
Kumasi
Summary
A pharmacist and public health practitioner with several years of experience interacting with patients, their families, communities, and other partners in the provision of health care. Capable of solving health problems through the benefit of progressing in the leadership of multi-disciplinary teams and by drawing on expertise in designing and analyzing epidemiological studies. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
District Director of Health Service
Nkoranza North District Health Directorate
04.2021 - Current
- Managed 312 health workers providing health care in 25 health facilities
- Improved access to health services: outpatient care utilization shot up by 27%
- Operationalized 3 new community-based health services and planning compounds and 1 polyclinic, and expanded services in 6 existing facilities
- Exceeded the target for skilled delivery geographical index by 27%
- Initialized 3 antiretroviral treatment centers and 4 additional adolescent health corners
- Strengthened community leadership by participating in community outreaches and making all 28 community health management committees functional
- Planned and implemented community level intervention projects including mass drug administration, community distribution of bed-nets, public vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines, novel oral polio vaccines, malaria RTS,S vaccines
- Identified 71 suspected cases of yaws, 179 cases of scabies, 2 elephantiasis cases, and 1 leprosy case, 234 presumed TB cases, 289 cases of hypertension referred for further assessment and management through community-based active case search
- Increased the detection of presumed TB cases by 31% and reduced the prevalence of maternal anaemia from 4% through the design and execution of quality improvement projects and operational research studies
- Achieved and maintained at least 100% of the number of suspected cases targeted for all diseases of public health interest
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Regional TB/HIV Coordinator & Research Officer
Health Directorate
08.2020 - 03.2021
- Designed 7 research studies and implemented 2
- Co-supervised data collection for some studies by the Kintampo Health Research Centre on
- The mid-line survey for the pilot implementation of the RTS,S malaria vaccine
- National household energy use survey
- Task Strengthening Strategies for Blood Pressure Control (TASSH study), a study to find innovations to improve care for patients with hypertension
- Investigated the risk factors for COVID-19 virus infection among health workers in the Bono East region and shared the results at a conference, stakeholder meetings, and in a peer-reviewed journal
- Analyzed and presented service data from DHIS2, e-tracker, and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) to gauge performance during yearly and half-yearly performance reviews, and for quarterly integrated supportive supervision visits
- Managed the hub and spokes system of sputum transportation and re-negotiated with a courier company a new tenure of sputum transportation for health facilities in the region
- Identified new areas of scientific research and provided internal training.
- Collaborated with national and international organizations to leverage industry connections.
- Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement.
District Director of Health Service
Pru West District Health Directorate
02.2019 - 01.2020
- Set up the directorate; engaged community and traditional leaders, received and trained new staff, guided interactions with collaboratora and partners
- Improved operations of health facilities through consistent hard work and dedication.
Pharmacist/Head of Pharmacy
Sampa Government Hospital
11.2010 - 02.2019
- Cared for about 1000 HIV patients on ART and 200 patients on anti-TB medication by providing adherence counseling, reviewing laboratory reports and intervening appropriately when required.
- Developed a local antibiotics treatment guideline that streamlined the prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics and championed its annual review
- Effected a shift in the focus of pharmaceutical care from a product orientation to patient care by scheduling direct in-patient contact and documenting such interactions
- Reviewed patient medication profiles and medical records to screen for appropriate drug selection, dosing, contraindications, side effects and therapeutic outcomes.
- Dispensed medications and communicated with prescribers regarding therapeutic incompatibilities.
- Managed pharmaceutical supply procurement and management processes.
- Verified safety and efficacy of medication usage by reporting adverse drug effects, medication errors and other quality issues.
- Ran and presented public seminars to educate local residents about diabetes and heart disease.
Pharmacist
Regional Programme Drugs Stores, Ahafo
06.2009 - 10.2010
- Managed the programme drugs (antiretrovirals, antituberculous drugs, Family planning commodities, anthelmintics for filarial worms, Psychotropic drugs, antileprotic drugs, etc.) in the Brong Ahafo region; inventory management, forecasting, quantification, issues and receipts
- Liaised between facilities and programmes on logistics
Education
PhD - Public Health (Epidemiology
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana07.2023
Pre-doctoral Fellowship - Public Health
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida05.2020
Master Of Public Health (Epidemiology) -
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana11.2017
Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CEMPA) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
Kumasi, Ghana11.2014
Bachelor Of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
Kumasi, Ghana05.2007
Skills
- KoBoCollect and ODK
- Proficient in STATA and basic skills in R programming, SAS and QGIS
- Problem-solving
- Planning and Coordination
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- MS Office
- Excellent Communication
- Multitasking Abilities
Timeline
District Director of Health Service
Nkoranza North District Health Directorate
04.2021 - Current
Regional TB/HIV Coordinator & Research Officer
Health Directorate
08.2020 - 03.2021
District Director of Health Service
Pru West District Health Directorate
02.2019 - 01.2020
Pharmacist/Head of Pharmacy
Sampa Government Hospital
11.2010 - 02.2019
Pharmacist
Regional Programme Drugs Stores, Ahafo
06.2009 - 10.2010
PhD - Public Health (Epidemiology
University of Ghana
Pre-doctoral Fellowship - Public Health
University of Florida
Master Of Public Health (Epidemiology) -
University of Ghana
Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CEMPA) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
Bachelor Of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
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