According to the Principal of the oldest nursing college in Ghana established in the early 70s, Hajia Mohammed Teshayiou, the school built originally to effectively accommodate a total student population of 120, currently accommodates 692.
This, she observed has a negative repercussion on the vision of the institution to be a centre of excellence in producing a high caliber of nurses and midwives’ to support the health sector of Ghana and the rest of Africa.
Hajia Teshayiou said this when she addressed the thirteenth batch of Diploma in General Nursing Students and second batch of Diploma in Midwifery Students at the maiden matriculation of the Tamale NMTC recently.
The colourful event which was under the theme: “Quality healthcare delivery-The role of nursing and midwifery training institutions” saw the official admission of fresh students of a total of 181 consisting of 136 General Nursing Students (67 males and 69 females) and 45 Midwifery Students (all females) for the 2010/2011 academic year.
According to the Principal of the Tamale NMTC, the college received 1,676 applicantions out of which 696 were short-listed taking into consideration the aggregate score of 24 or better, subject combination and core subjects, after which an independent panel selected the suitable candidates of 136 to study General Nursing while 45 would study Midwifery.
The Principal Nursing Officer stated categorically that, because of the lack of hostel facilities and classroom accommodation, the number of students reduced drastically from a previous figure of 300 to 181. “We therefore appeal to government and various stakeholders for more infrastructures to meet the accommodation needs of the college,” Madam Teshayiou requested.
Currently, it is only the first year students and some few second and third year students who live on the school’s campus while the rest live in rented homes outside the college.
Hajia Mohammed Teshayiou however, indicated that the Tamale Nursing and Midwifery Training College has been able to renovate the skills laboratory and library refurbished with some few items, equipment and relevant books for the course. Adding, the college is working hard to renovate the main male hostel and complete college fencing project to step up discipline and ensure maximum security.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, San Nasamu Asabigi, who was guest of honour, noted that the nursing and midwifery institutions are among the panaceas to realizing the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6, since these institutions are responsible for producing the relevant manpower to solve the health needs of the populace.
He acknowledged the challenges facing the training of quality health personnel for Ghana and said that, government was walking the talk of investing in people by building more health infrastructure and expanding existing ones including the Tamale NMTC to admit more students to meet the increasing population.
Mr. Asabibi cited the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion work at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, adding that five polyclinics had been built and commissioned last year for districts such as Zabzugu-Tatale, Kpandai, Chereponi, West Mamprusi and Karaga in the Northern Region.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister admonished the matriculants to let hard work be their watchword and ignore the many fleeing detractions that would come seeking their attention saying “remember to abide by the words of the oath you have taken.”
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