Prof. Lydia Aziato, Ag. Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery
The School of Nursing and Midwifery of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, as part of efforts to offer nurses and midwives the opportunity to work and school without compromising the quality of training and their productivity at work has introduced Sandwich MPhil and MSc Degree Programmes in Nursing and Midwifery.
According to Prof. Lydia Aziato, Ag. Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery “the programme is timely and important particular because it offers nurses and midwives who currently have challenges securing study leave due to the disproportionate nurse-patient ratio, an opportunity to upgrade themselves”. She noted that the sandwich programme will strategically position nurses and midwives to contribute significantly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3; good health and well-being as well as advanced clinical practice and research.
Prof. Lydia Aziato revealed that plans were advanced in introducing a PhD programme in Nursing during the next academic year. She also added that the School will introduce MSc and MPhil Programmes in Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Nursing Management and Leadership as well as other tailor-made programmes to meet the dynamic needs of the health system. The Dean also indicated the School has been running short courses since January 2019 with the next session scheduled for August 5 - 9, 2019 focusing on Palliative Care, Contemporary Midwifery Practice and Leadership. She added that the courses will be practical and attracts 15 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points.
Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Director General, Ghana Health Service in brief remarks expressed his excitement over the sandwich programme and urged students to accept placement to wherever their expertise is needed. He added that with the introduction of the on-line recruitment process, the Ghana Health Services will no longer post nurses and midwives but rather applicants would have the opportunity to select their preferred region. He revealed that the on-line system will also be used for study leave applications beginning next year.
Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Director General, Ghana Health Service
The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Mr. Felix Nyante in his address commended the School for the initiative. He indicated that the launch of the sandwich programme would improve Ghana’s health-care system as it will upgrade the skills and knowledge of nurses and midwives and contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 under the global SDGs. Mr. Nyante expressed his excitement about the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s collaboration with Nursing and Midwifery Council and various stakeholders in the health sector.
Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Mr. Felix Nyante
Present at the launch were Rev. Prof. Ferdinand Ayeh-Kumi, Provost, College of Health Sciences; Prof. K. Tano-Debrah, Dean, School of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana; Ms. Eva Mensah, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Ministry of Health, faculty, staff and students of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
