Senior Reporter
The Ministry of Education and Sports has introduced a new policy requiring individuals seeking admission to nursing training and other health training institutions to undergo academic and competence tests. These tests will include a prerequisite for new students to have credits in five essential science subjects. According to Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene, the Ministry’s Commissioner for Health Education and Training, prospective students must attain credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, along with meeting physical fitness standards, to ensure their competence in the field.
Dr. Museene made these remarks on Friday during a retreat and annual general meeting for principals of health training institutions in Uganda, held at Bwindi School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kanungu district.
The new policy also encompasses regulations on the advertising of nursing institutions and medical courses, the welfare of medical interns, a streamlined process for the admission of candidates into government health training institutions, licensing, and other aspects.
Currently under review, the policy will be enforced following its popularization and amendments based on input from various stakeholders across the country.
The heads of health institutions expressed anticipation for this long-awaited policy, noting that health training has been less stringent compared to other professions, such as education, which have instituted tougher measures. However, they urged the ministry to consider incorporating the new grading system introduced under the new curriculum.
Uganda has a total of 197 health training institutions, including those for nursing, midwifery, and allied health training.
During the meeting, the principals elected a new executive committee chaired by Mr. Wilber Tukamuhabwa, Principal of Ntungamo Health Training Institute, replacing Ms. Rose Nasali Gumisiriza, who had led the association since 2019.
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