Minister of Health, Elijah Muchima, has underscored the role that establishing nursing and midwifery colleges play in addressing human resource challenges in the health sector.
Dr Muchima said nurses and midwives are the backbone of the health system because they are the first and most frequent point of contact for patients.
He said this therefore calls for more schools for nursing and midwifery in the country.
The Minister of Health said expanding the capacity to train nurses and midwives is not only a necessity but a strategic step towards achieving sustainable development goal number three, which promotes the wellbeing for all.
The media reports that Dr Muchima said this during the commissioning of Mporokoso College of Nursing and Midwifery in a speech read for him by Northern Province Minister, Leonard Mbao.
“The establishment of this institution is a key step towards addressing the human resource challenges in our health sector, particularly nursing and midwifery,” Dr Muchima said.
He reiterated that the government remains committed to delivering high quality and accessible health services to everyone in the country.
“We will continue to modernise learning institutions and strengthen partnerships to enhance practical training and ensure that graduates are equipped to meet the evolving needs of modern health care,” Dr Muchima added.
And Northern Province Health Director, Ernest Mutale, said the infrastructure provides a vital investment in Zambia’s healthcare workforce.
Professor Mutale disclosed that before the opening of Mporokoso School of Nursing and Midwifery, Northern Province only had five public nursing colleges and two private institutions.
“This college has exhibited excellent performance with an average of 85 percent pass rate, a clear sign of its impact in the province,” he said.
And Chief Mumpolokoso of the Bemba people of Mporokoso district, who was represented by his wife, has thanked the government and its partners for the infrastructure development.
The chief has since urged the government to continue developing the area in order to motivate its people to aspire for more.
Mporokoso College of Nursing was built by Furrer Foundation and the government has since taken over the running of the institution.
