News / Health
131 nurses graduate at St Luke's Mission Hospital in Lupane
27 Feb 2012 at 07:58hrs | Views
A TOTAL of 131 students graduated at St Luke's Mission Hospital in Lupane after completing courses in nursing and midwifery. Of the 131 graduands, 80 received certificates in midwifery after completing a one-year course and 51 graduated and received diploma certificates in general nursing after completing a three-year course.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Friday, Dr Lindiwe Mlilo, who was the guest of honour, said she was optimistic the country could achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"Zimbabwe, like any other developing country, is striving to meet the 2015 deadline set for the achievement of the MDGs. We as the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare believe that with such a number of qualified midwives that continue to graduate in our health institutions we can reduce the high mortality rate in our country," said Dr Mlilo.
She said the economic meltdown, drought, which led to malnutrition, brain drain and the high burden of diseases like HIV and Aids and TB were negatively affecting health delivery in the country.
"There are many challenges that need to be addressed before we reach MDGs. The Government has, however, increased capacity within health workers to be able to identify, manage and treat emergencies promptly.
"The Government has also embarked on the primary care nurse programme, increased the intake of midwifery students and tutors posts to ensure every mother's and child's welfare is guaranteed," said Dr Mlilo.
Also speaking during the same occasion, Mrs Mollie Gabellah, the senior nursing tutor at St Luke's, said her institution had grown over the years although there was a shortage of tutors.
"These graduands have worked hard to improve our communities in Lupane and beyond. I am sure that if they continue working hard, the country can meet the 2015 MDG set deadline," she said.
Mrs Gabellah said the school was forced to reduce the number of students per intake because of the shortage of accommodation and tutors.
"We only have two tutors in this institution and this affects progress. There is also a great shortage of accommodation and this makes it very difficult for us to enroll many students who want to train in these courses," said Mrs Gabellah.
She appealed to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to intervene and help the school with accommodation, tutors and electricity problems to improve their operations.
The theme for the day was "Preventing mortality and morbidity through Millenium Development Goals" and the graduands were encouraged to make sure that no mother died while giving a life and no baby died while trying to live.
The occasion was graced by officials from the health sector and Mrs Cynthia Chasokela, the director of nursing services in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare helped in presenting prizes and certificates to graduands.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Friday, Dr Lindiwe Mlilo, who was the guest of honour, said she was optimistic the country could achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"Zimbabwe, like any other developing country, is striving to meet the 2015 deadline set for the achievement of the MDGs. We as the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare believe that with such a number of qualified midwives that continue to graduate in our health institutions we can reduce the high mortality rate in our country," said Dr Mlilo.
She said the economic meltdown, drought, which led to malnutrition, brain drain and the high burden of diseases like HIV and Aids and TB were negatively affecting health delivery in the country.
"There are many challenges that need to be addressed before we reach MDGs. The Government has, however, increased capacity within health workers to be able to identify, manage and treat emergencies promptly.
"The Government has also embarked on the primary care nurse programme, increased the intake of midwifery students and tutors posts to ensure every mother's and child's welfare is guaranteed," said Dr Mlilo.
"These graduands have worked hard to improve our communities in Lupane and beyond. I am sure that if they continue working hard, the country can meet the 2015 MDG set deadline," she said.
Mrs Gabellah said the school was forced to reduce the number of students per intake because of the shortage of accommodation and tutors.
"We only have two tutors in this institution and this affects progress. There is also a great shortage of accommodation and this makes it very difficult for us to enroll many students who want to train in these courses," said Mrs Gabellah.
She appealed to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to intervene and help the school with accommodation, tutors and electricity problems to improve their operations.
The theme for the day was "Preventing mortality and morbidity through Millenium Development Goals" and the graduands were encouraged to make sure that no mother died while giving a life and no baby died while trying to live.
The occasion was graced by officials from the health sector and Mrs Cynthia Chasokela, the director of nursing services in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare helped in presenting prizes and certificates to graduands.
Source - Chronicle
