Gov't creates jobs for graduate nurses

 

 

 

According to the health ministry, some of the nurses and midwives will be deployed at Kirrudddu Hospital,  Mulago Hospital and at the Heart Institute.

 

Dr, Charles Olaro, the commissioner in charge of clinical services said the restructuring process is ongoing and more positions are being created in other public hospitals and health facilities across the country.

 

The old scheme of service did not provide entry into public service for nurses and midwives prepared at degree and masters' level meaning such persons could not be employed in public service until recently when the scheme was revised.

 

Prof. Richard Muhindo, a lecturer at the Department of Nursing, Makerere University said over the years they have trained over 1,300 nurses and midwives but they couldn't be taken on by the government without reforms in the scheme of service.

 

Out of 1,388-degree nurses and midwives registered with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council as of 2018, less than 5% are employed in public services as nursing officers according to Muhindo.

 

The old scheme of service only recognised certificate and diploma nurses.

 

"The situation is even harder for those who come directly from school. While those who upgrade from diploma to degree remain serving but they are not recognised and reimbursed to reflect their levels of training which breeds frustration and demotivation," Muhindo said.

 

Speaking during the launch of the Association of Graduated Nurses and Midwives of Uganda (AGNMU) in Kampala, Muhindo said Uganda will benefit from recognising nurses who are highly educated.

 

"There is overwhelming evidence globally that Nurses and midwives with degrees and above improve health outcomes and the overall performance of the system including leadership for better care. It is upon the country to utilise them and see that they meaningfully contribute to healthcare," Muhindo said.

 

The president of AGNMU, Alex Tumusiime said for the last 20 years, graduate nurses have been working in different capacities but being recognized as diploma nurses. He added that a few working in public service are mostly in teaching positions.

 

"Research has shown that health facilities with many graduate nurses and midwives offer high-quality services," Tumusiime said.

 

He the association will advocate for appropriate utilisation and placement in positions that can empower them to lead the change in this country.

 

Dr. Baterana Byarugaba, the executive director of Mulago National Referral Hospital urged Nurses and midwives to upgrade. Adding that at the moment there are 80 vacant positions for nursing officers special grade, senior consultant and consultants at the facility.

 

Retired commissioner Nursing Ministry of Health Enid Mwebaza encouraged lower-level cadres to upgrade with degrees in nursing and midwifery, saying that science keeps on growing every day and there are new things that they keep on introducing.