The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has proposed the cancellation of certificate and diploma nursing programs, advocating for the elevation of all nursing education to the degree level.
This significant shift aims to address the challenges in the country’s healthcare sector by ensuring a more qualified and professional nursing workforce.
Prof. Ernest Yorke, Vice President of the GMA, revealed this decision during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, describing the current system as "bizarre."
He stressed the perplexity of having three different levels of entry into the nursing and midwifery professions and highlighted the current dominance of auxiliary nurses, who constitute almost 60% of the workforce.
“We think that the majority must be degree-prepared,” Yorke stated, stressing the need for a more skilled nursing population.
According to Prof. Yorke, "We have to cancel certificate programs, we have to cancel diploma programs, and we have to train nurses and midwives at the degree level."
Drawing comparisons with Nigeria, where registered nurses and midwives must hold a first degree, Prof. Yorke, however, argued that Ghana has the necessary resources and educational institutions to implement similar standards.
"We have the human resources and the schools, so we can do that," he affirmed.
Yorke elaborated that the predominance of auxiliary nurses, who make up about 60% of the workforce, needs to be addressed by enhancing their qualifications.
"The diploma and degree-trained nurses and midwives are professional nurses," he noted.
Preparing all nurses at the baccalaureate level, Yorke believes, will significantly improve maternal health indicators, supported by research on the effectiveness of a highly skilled nursing workforce.
He reassured that current certificate and diploma holders would not be left behind.
"If we cancel the training for diplomas and certificates, we can upgrade the knowledge of those who are here," Yorke explained.
He mentioned that there are already courses available to help nurses and midwives upgrade their skills to the next level.
The GMA's proposal represents a bold move towards elevating the standards of nursing education in Ghana, aiming to create a more competent and professional healthcare system.
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