KUMASI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 3 (SDG 3)
May, 2024
(SDG 3)
Contents
1.0 PREAMBLE ...........................................................................5
2.0 MEMBERSHIP ......................................................................5
3.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE ....................................................5
4.0 MODUS OPERANDI ..........................................................5
5.0 BODY ......................................................................................6
5.1 Introduction ..................................................................6
5.2 PURPOSE ...............................................................................7
5.3 SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................7
6.0 Actual Policies ...............................................................8
6.1 Assessment of the Current Health and Well-Being
Practices at KsTU. ........................................................8
6.2 Development of Strategies to Integrate Health Education and Wellness into the
University Curriculum. ................................................................10
6.4 Initiatives to Engage Students, Staff and the Wider
Community in Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention Practice. ...................................................10
7.0 MEMBERS SIGNATURE ...................................................11
1.0 PREAMBLE
The Committee was formed by the Vice-Chancellor on 31st May 2024 to develop a University Policy on Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3).
2.0 MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the committee is as follows:
Prof. Samuel Osei-Djarbeng Chairman
Dr. Natasah Asamoah Member
Prof. Ishmael Ayim Member
Ms. Lovia Adoma Gyamfi Secretary
3.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The terms of reference of the committee are as follows:
• To develop a policy framwork that aligns with SDG 3, promoting health and well-being within the university and its surrounding community.
4.0 MODUS OPERANDI
In carrying out the assignment, the Committee as its modus operandi:
Held meetings on 13th and 25th June, 9th and 30th July 2024.
5.0 BODY
5.1 Introduction
In 2015 the United Nations developed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, aimed at transforming the world. It is a universal call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. There are seventeen (17) SDGs in all. Among them is the SDG 3 which highlights access to health and well-being.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) focuses on Good Health and Well-Being. It emphasizes access to essential health care services; ending epidemics such as AIDS, TB, malaria and others; reducing death from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promoting mental health and well-being; preventing substance abuse, including narcotic drug and harmful use of alcohol; ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services; supporting research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and noncommunicable diseases; increasing health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce; reducing accidents.
As an institution, KsTU is supposed to ensure that its staff, students and stakeholders understand and observe the SDG3.
5.2 PURPOSE
SDG 3 aims to ensure health and well-being for all, which includes a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases by 2030. It also seeks to achieve universal health coverage and provide access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all.
5.3 SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of this policy is to;
Assess the current health and well- being practices at the university (KsTU),
Identify the opportunities for improving health services, mental health support and well- being initiatives,
Develop strategies to integrate health education and wellness program into the University curriculum and activities, and
Propose initiatives to engage students, staff and the wider community in health promotion and disease prevention practice.
6.0 ACTUAL POLICIES
6.1 Assessment of the Current Health and Well-Being Practices at KsTU.
The University has a Clinic that seeks to provide essential health services for students, staff and their dependants.
The University provides personal protective equipment (PPEs) for staff who need them to help reduce accidents.
The Health Directorate and the Guidance and Counselling Directorate from time to time educate students and staff on substance abuse.
The Sports Unit of the University also organizes sporting activities to encourage staff and students to help them exercise.
6.2 Opportunities to Improve Health Services, Mental Health Support and Well-Being Initiatives.
The staff strength of the University Clinic must be increased to enhance efficiency. Basic working tools must also be provided to help activities at the clinic.
There must be investment in infrastructure in the clinic.
There must be a Mental Health Unit attached to the Clinic to address mental health issues.
There should be regular sensitization talks on mental health issues.
Basic ideal working conditions (such as office space, air-conditions, elevators, office equipment, etc) must be provided for staff to promote effective work. Lecture rooms, studios, laboratories, etc. must also be appropriate for the activities that go on there.
The University environment, washrooms, food joints, etc. must be kept neat and fresh always.
Acquisition of good food and drinks must be easy in and around the University campuses.
Exercising and sporting activities must be encouraged.
Members should be encouraged to refrain from the use of abusive words and actions as well as assault.
Members must be encouraged to take leave from work; go on holidays; have adequate rest (ideally from their usual environment).
The Health Directorate of the University together with the Guidance and Counselling Unit should organize regular health education sessions and create awareness on current health issues.
6.2 Development of Strategies to Integrate Health Education and Wellness into the University Curriculum.
The Health Directorate must come out with appropriate topics on health to be integrated into the African Studies Course offered by all first-year students.
There must also be periodic (weekly, monthly or quarterly) talks of health education and awareness via zoom, face-to-face or the local radio station on campus.
Health experts may also be brought on board to lecture staff and students on specific specialized medical areas.
6.4 Initiatives to Engage Students, Staff and the Wider Community in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Practice.
There should be community clean up exercises from time to time.
The university should organize a mini clinic for the surrounding community periodically.
The Health Directorate must develop simple flyers or leaflets on health topics and make them available to the community.
Information on health emanating from the Health Directorate may be distributed on various social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc).
7.0 MEMBERS SIGNATURE
Prof. Samuel Osei-Djarbeng
………………………
Dr. Natasah Asamoah
………………………
Prof. Ishmael Ayim
………………………
Ms. Lovia Adoma Gyamfi
………………………