Programme Manager & Principal Lecturer
Nurse Tutor Training Programme
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Background
The London-based Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) is recruiting a Head Nurse Tutor and Principal Lecturer to deliver a new programme of work based at the Institute of Health Sciences, the Government nurse training college in Hargeisa, Somailand. The postholders will be responsible for implementing a two year nurse tutor training course and a two year programme of continuous professional development (CPD) for practising nurse tutors in Somaliland. The postholders will play an important role in strengthening the nurse training institutions and improving professional standards in nursing/midwifery in Somaliland.
Health Care in Somaliland
Basic health indicators in Somaliland are among the worst in the world with low life expectancy; staggeringly high rates of maternal, newborn and child mortality and morbidity; and poor immunisation coverage. After years of war and underinvestment, the public health system is extremely weak. There is a critical shortage of skilled personnel in almost all public sector health institutions, management systems are weak and public services are poorly resourced.
Building human resource capacity
Since its re-declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland has, in the main, achieved a level of stability that provides suitable conditions for a move towards a more developmental and long-term approach to health sector support. A new programme to strengthen human resource capacity and lay the foundation for the long-term redevelopment of the health sector is underway, funded by the British Government. THET is working with partners in Somaliland and the UK on a number of activities designed to contribute to the development of human and institutional capacity, crucial for the rebuilding of the national health care system in Somaliland.
Nurse training in Somaliland
There are four nurse/midwife training institutions in Somaliland. At present, there are no minimum entry requirements for the basic nursing courses and abilities vary enormously in each class. Nurse training schools are not accredited and graduates are called nurses without any professional examination or registration. Once ‘qualified’ there are no promotional opportunities, no systems of appraisal and no recognition. By and large, the quality of nurse/midwife training is low and many people graduate whilst still unable to perform basic tasks. This reflects the fact that nurse tutors are poorly trained and many have had no opportunity to update their skills for more than 20 years.
New: Nurse Tutor Training Programme and CPD
There is a need for well trained, competent nurse tutors who are equipped to in train nurse/midwives so that they reach an acceptable professional standard. At the same time there is the need to build the capacity of existing nurse tutors and training institutes through CPD.
The Head Nurse Tutor and Principal Lecturer will both contribute to the successful implementation of a two year nurse tutor training course, a two year programme of CPD for existing nurse tutors and strengthening of the existing nurse training institutes. Both postholders will be based at the Institute of Health Sciences in Hargeisa but will be expected from time to time to visit the other nurse training institutes in order to deliver CPD.
Ultimately, by strengthening human resource capacity through upgrading skills and standards it is hoped that basic health care services will be improved to meet the needs of the poor across the country.
THET’s work in Somaliland
The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) seeks to improve basic health services in some of the poorest countries around the world. Working with local partner organisations, it helps build long-term capacity by ensuring that health workers have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver effective services.
THET has been working with partners in Somaliland since March 2002. Much of this work is carried out in partnership with the Kings College Hospital, London. The Kings-THET Somaliland Partnership (KTSP) link has helped train health workers, provide lifesaving equipment to hospitals, establish a revolving drug fund to supply much needed drugs and medicines and delivering teaching to the first ever doctors to graduate in Somaliland.
For Further Information please contact
Catherine Novi
Tropical Health and Education Trust
1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE
Tel: +44(0)207 290 3899
Fax:+44(0)207 290 3890
Catherine@thet.org
www.thet.org
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Forwarded by THET
Updated by Somaliland Health Blog Volunteers Team
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