Government will tackle problems facing nursing schools - Kumbuor

Fumesua (Ash), June 9, GNA - Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, Minister of Health, has said that government has resolved to tackle challenges regarding physical infrastructure and transportation facing the country's nursing training institutions.

He expressed worry that for more than 25 year's now, a total of 139 structures that were at varying levels of construction at some health training institutions had been abandoned.

Dr. Kumbuor was addressing the opening session of a three-day workshop on the selection of applicants for admission to the nursing institutions at the Nodal Hotel at Fumesua near Kumasi on Wednesday. Principals of the 62 public nursing schools were discussing the quota admission system, the proposed percentage intake, guidelines for selection, maintenance culture, financial and transport management. Accommodation for tutors, infrastructure, performance management, school fees and development levy issues were also discussed. Dr. Kumbour urged the principals to ensure transparency in the admission process and to resist overtures that could compromise high standards.

He praised them for their contribution to the growth and development of health in the country. Dr. Kumbour said that the Ministry was considering rewarding nurses and doctors working in deprived areas of the country. Mr. Ebenezer Appiah-Dankyira, Director of Human Resource, Health Development at the Ministry, said the workshop was not only for selection criteria but to also discuss policy direction. He said the Ministry was collaborating with professional associations, regulatory bodies, health partners and other groups to maintain standards in health practice.

Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Ibn Ibrahim, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, asked the principals to work harder to win the confidence of the public.

Mr. James Yambor, Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions, asked members of the Nurses and Midwifery Council to pay regular visits to the schools to ensure quality training. 9 June 10