Health Services Workers’ Union trains female members in soap production

The Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) in the Upper East Region has launched a collaborative initiative that combines breast cancer awareness with entrepreneurship training for its female members. Held at the Upper East Regional Hospital, the programme was designed to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month by providing health education alongside practical economic empowerment. The initiative specifically focused on encouraging early detection of breast cancer while simultaneously equipping participants with income-generating skills to improve their financial stability.

During the session, female union members received hands-on training in the production of liquid soap. This vocational skill was selected to offer health workers an alternative source of income that can be managed alongside their professional responsibilities. Mr. Joseph Jones Paa Kwasi Boakye Nomocle, the HSWU Regional Officer, emphasized that the dual-purpose event was intended to address the holistic needs of the membership. He encouraged the participants to utilize the new skills to enhance their livelihoods and support their families.

In addition to the vocational training, the event served as a critical platform for health education. Facilitators underscored the importance of regular breast self-examinations and professional screenings, noting that early diagnosis remains the most effective tool in the fight against breast cancer. By integrating health advocacy with economic skills, the union aimed to ensure that its members are both physically healthy and economically resilient, recognizing that financial well-being is often a determinant of health outcomes.

The union has announced that this initiative will not be limited to the regional hospital. Plans are already in place to extend the campaign and training sessions to other healthcare facilities in the region, with the next event scheduled to take place at the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo. This ongoing effort reflects the HSWU’s broader commitment to member welfare, moving beyond traditional labour issues to provide comprehensive support for its workers’ health and economic futures.