KNUST School of Nursing and Midwifery Introduced to OPEN-AMR Digital Learning Platform
The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been introduced to the OPEN-AMR Learning Platform, a digital education initiative aimed at strengthening knowledge and competencies in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship among nurses and frontline healthcare workers.
The platform was presented during a visit by a delegation from Women’s Health to Wealth NGO, which is collaborating with Pfizer Pharmaceutical Group to support healthcare education and build capacity in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Open Learning Platform on Antimicrobial Resistance (OPEN-AMR) is designed to strengthen Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) competencies through accessible digital training. According to the delegation, the initiative seeks to improve the quality standards and practices of healthcare professionals by offering structured online courses based on global best practices and guidelines.
The platform provides an easy-to-use digital learning environment where health professionals can access courses and build their skills without leaving their health facilities. It also offers continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and enables healthcare workers to improve patient care through flexible online learning.
Participants at the session were taken through the structure and content of the platform, which is tailored primarily for nursing and paramedic staff. The course modules cover key areas such as the fundamentals of infection prevention and control, hospital-acquired infections, and the principles of antimicrobial stewardship.
Other modules focus on practical infection prevention measures, including hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), biomedical waste management, facility-level surveillance, and the role of IPC in outbreak management. The platform also explores advanced infection control practices such as transmission-based precautions, safe injection practices, and occupational safety for healthcare workers.
In addition, the programme addresses healthcare-associated infections and their prevention through strategies such as care bundles, surveillance systems, and patient safety measures. The final module guides learners through antimicrobial stewardship principles and the planning and assessment of stewardship programmes within healthcare facilities.
One of the key highlights of the OPEN-AMR platform is its accessibility. The courses are offered free of charge, feature simplified audio-visual learning materials curated by subject experts, and allow participants to learn at their own pace from any location. Participants who complete the courses also receive certificates endorsed by leading health organisations.
Welcoming the initiative, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Veronica Dzomeku, assured the visiting team of the School’s commitment to supporting the rollout of the platform. She noted that the School would provide the necessary institutional support to ensure the platform reaches students, faculty, and other key stakeholders in the health sector.
Professor Dzomeku emphasized that strengthening knowledge and competencies in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship among nurses and healthcare professionals is essential in addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
The introduction of the OPEN-AMR learning platform underscores the growing collaboration between academia, civil society organisations, and industry partners in equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to combat antimicrobial resistance and strengthen patient safety.
