Open AccessCOVID-19: challenges affecting the uptake of e-learning in pharmacy education in Africa
Author(s) -
Melody Okereke,
Alison Ekwere Williams,
Emmanuella Nzeribe,
Nelson Ukor Ashinedu,
Muhammad Waqas Mairaj
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the pan african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.287
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1937-8688
DOI - 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.23910
Subject(s) - pharmacy , pharmacy education , medicine , government (linguistics) , covid-19 , developing country , quality (philosophy) , economic growth , order (exchange) , public relations , pharmacy practice , medical education , nursing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , business , political science , disease , linguistics , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , finance , economics
The effort by countries and relevant stakeholders to improving the quality of pharmacy education globally is being countered by the outbreak of infectious diseases. In order to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, unprecedented measures such as total/partial lockdowns and ban on public gatherings have been put in place by several governments. These measures implemented have put a halt on academic activities and schooling and have invariably affected the delivery of pharmacy education globally and Africa is no exception. In order to ensure the continuity of pharmacy education, the e-learning strategy has been utilized by several countries in the world today and Africa should not be left out. There is an urgent need for Africa to meet up with the present education demands by adopting the e-learning strategy but this is not without challenges. We examine the impact of these measures on pharmacy education as well as the challenges affecting the uptake and applicability of the e-learning strategy in pharmacy education in Africa. It is therefore essential for the government and relevant stakeholders in the pharmacy education sector to address the numerous challenges that may hinder its uptake in Africa.