By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio has called on the government to involve Nurses and Midwives in the making of health policies to improve the quality of health services in the country.
The first lady made this call during her keynote address at the West African Post Graduate College of Nursing and Midwifery, Sierra Leone Chapter’s Annual General Meeting held in Kenema, on Friday 14th October 2022.
She said this will ensure their plights can be discussed at such a level. She praised the college for producing quality and competent health practitioners known as fellows.
She acknowledged the institution’s aims and objectives which she said are in line with the government’s human capital development, and encouraged the administration of the college to continue its excellent services in promoting nursing and midwifery activities including research.
The first lady noted that the country is presently burdened with high maternal and infant mortality rates and relatively low life expectancy, whilst communicable diseases remain a major challenge.
She said as a country, it is a great success to be part of the college that has produced excellent nurses and midwives known as fellows.
The first lady used the moment to disclose that the leadership of American University will be coming to Sierra Leone to partner with her office in building a medical school that will train doctors, pharmacists and nurses in the same location. She said international medical practitioners will also be coming to help train more doctors in various specialists areas.
The Principal of School of Nursing, Dr.Lawrence Sao Babawo, referred to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as a moment of reflection for health workers in assessing the successes and challenges and to map out strategies that will help improve the medical profession.
The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Matron Mary Mamako Fullah said the role of nurses and midwives in achieving the universal health coverage cannot be over emphasised. She noted that nurses and midwives constitute about 70% of health workers in the country and that evidence has proven that well-educated and functional nurses and midwives with proper regulations will make a huge impact in the health sector.
She said as a country impacts on universal health coverage can only be effective, if nurses and midwives are part of policy making by government.
In her statement, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Princess Dugba said improving the health system of Sierra Leone was part of President Bio’s promise made to the people and which can only be made possible by working with the nurses and midwives since they form the bulk of the work force in the health sector.
She spoke about the huge number of pin codes given to nurses in the country, and said nursing is a noble profession that needs care, love and compassion for patients.
She said it is on that backdrop that the government is always ready to listen and address issues of health workers.
The theme for this year’s annual meeting was: ‘’Universal Health Coverage, Investing in Nurses and Midwives for Better Health outcome.’’
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