To boost healthcare system: Researcher advocates harmonisation of training of nurses, midwives, others.

Frontline Cameroonian health professional, Ndasi Noubissi Maxel, has begun pressing for the harmonisation of the training of nurses, midwives, and health technicians in the country.

The recommendation is contained in a research piece conducted by Ndasi who was recently appointed Chairman for Africa on the Nurses in Charge International Committee, a United States-based nonprofit organisation.

Ndasi has stated that such harmaonisation, is possible through a convention to be signed between the Ministry of Public Health and that of Higher Education.

In the research piece, Ndasi noted that: “Currently, the Ministry of Public Health has the legal mandate to train healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, and health technicians”.

He continued that: “However, the Ministry of Higher Education has also been training these medico-sanitary professions without being aware that it is not within its capacity to do so. This has led to a crisis in the educational system, with a lack of coordination and standardisation in the training of these healthcare professionals”.

The young health professional has thus proposed the establishment of a convention between the Ministry of Public Health and that of Higher Education to harmonise the training of nurses, midwives, and health technicians in Cameroon.

He has also requested an adjustment of the educational programmes for the said healthcare professionals with the LMD system of education.

In the research, Ndasi noted that: “The Ministry of Higher Education in Cameroon oversees more than 100 higher education institutes that train medico-sanitary professionals. Some of these institutes have classes with more than 50 students, which does not meet the standard set by the Ministry of Public Health”.

He has also expressed worries that graduates from these Ministry of Higher Education institutions are not eligible to be registered by the council that regulates the said medico-sanitary practices in Cameroon.

“This situation suggests a disconnect between the training standards set by the Ministry of Public Health and the actual practices in some of the higher education institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education. The lack of alignment between the regulatory body and the training institutions could create challenges for ensuring the quality and competence of medico-sanitary professionals in Cameroon,” he stated.

To address the said issues, Ndsai has recommended that relevant ministries and regulatory bodies “should collaborate to establish clear, harmonised standards for the training and registration of medico-sanitary professionals. This may involve reviewing the curriculum, class sizes, and other requirements to ensure there meet the standards set by the Ministry of Public Health”.

He has said improved coordination and alignment between the different government entities involved in the sector could help resolve the current eligibility challenges faced by graduates from the Ministry of Higher Education institutions. 

He was blunt that: “Ensuring that the training and registration processes are well-aligned is crucial for producing competent and qualified medico-sanitary professionals in Cameroon”.