Officials at the Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery have expressed their desire to offer degree programs in nursing and midwifery. The institution, founded in 1955, has made significant strides in clinical training but remains limited to diploma courses. Eva Nampiima, the school’s Principal, emphasized the need for progression beyond diploma courses, especially after achieving recognition as a center of excellence.
Nampiima conveyed her sentiments during a recent graduation ceremony, where 548 students earned diplomas and advanced diplomas in nursing and midwifery. While advocating for the introduction of degree programs, she highlighted a staffing challenge, with only thirteen staff members on the government payroll. The rest rely on local collections managed by the governing council. Officials from the ministries of education, Public Service, and health were in attendance, and discussions on resolving this staffing issue were initiated.
In response to the staff remuneration issue, Public Service officials committed to consulting the Education Service Commission to find a solution. During the same event, Grace Mary Mugasa, the Public Service State Minister, cautioned graduates against fraudulent practices related to government job sales, a problem that has escalated with salary increments.
John C Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education, explained that institutions seeking to offer degree courses must adhere to a legal process. He stated that Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery needs to apply to the National Council for Higher Education to undergo an eligibility assessment.
Furthermore, of the 548 graduates, only seventeen specialized in palliative care nursing, a relatively new field introduced in 2019. Muyingo encouraged more students to consider enrolling in this program, highlighting the significant demand for palliative care services in the country, estimated to be at approximately 11 percent nationwide.
Margret Nagawa, who earned an Advanced Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing, shared her experience of immediately entering the workforce at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital due to the urgent need for palliative care services, including pain management for terminally ill patients.
