The government is committed to providing opportunities for nurses and midwives to pursue specialised training and higher degrees, the Acting Director, Technical Coordination of the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafiz Adams has said.
He noted that the government would continue to provide sponsorship for nurses and midwives to specialise and improve the healthcare system in the country.
Dr Hafiz said this at the 9th annual general meeting and 5th seminar of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives in Accra on Tuesday.
He added that, “By doing so, nurses and midwives are empowered with the knowledge and skills needed and motivated to excel in their chosen speciality.”
He encouraged specialist nurses and midwives to lead research and innovation to drive evidence-based practices, adding that research would empower them to contribute to the knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
“Specialisation in nursing and midwifery is no longer a luxury but a necessity and it was the reason the Government in 2011, by ACT 833 Part 3 established the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives to train specialist nurses and midwives. Specialisation allows for the development of expertise in specific areas, thus enabling practitioners to provide higher-quality care, improve patient outcomes and address the unique needs of diverse populations. It also fosters professional growth, enhances job satisfaction and elevates the overall standards of our healthcare system,” he noted.
The Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof Veronica M. Dzomeku, said the complexity of patient care requires specialised knowledge and skills that go beyond basic training.
Nurses and midwives are increasingly taking on roles that require deep expertise in specific areas of healthcare, making specialisation essential to the provision of high-quality and patient-centred care, she added.
“With chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer on the rise, specialised nurses are critical in managing complex care plans, leading patient education efforts and conducting clinical research.
“Nurses in fields such as oncology, cardiology, paediatrics and critical care now play indispensable roles, often leading the integration of new technologies in patient care. Their expertise allows them to manage complex patient cases, provide advanced care and contribute to better health outcomes,” she noted.
Grace Acheampong, ISD