BEREKUM MIDWIFERY COLLEGE MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 20)

THE Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, has observed that even though eight years have elapsed since the country adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Ghanaians continue to die from preventable diseases.
That, he said, was the result of high level of ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, cultural and religious beliefs which were impediments to accessing health services.
The Deputy Minister further noted the HIV/AIDS pandemic had complicated health service delivery and at the same time placed a heavy burden on the national budget and the country’s social systems.
Mr Kwakye made the observation during the climax of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Berekum at the weekend.
The theme for the occasion was: “50 years of producing quality nurses and midwives; our contribution to the healing ministry of Christ”.
The Deputy Regional Minister stressed that, the government had demonstrated its determination and commitment to improve access, participation and equity to essential health care as part of its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II.
He noted that health was an important sector in any country, because the collective efforts of all facets of society were measured by the health status of the population, adding that health indicators served as one of the basis for measuring the success of all government programmes.
Mr Kwakye advised the nurses and midwives to exhibit dedication, commitment, love, devotion and care in addition to ensuring proper medication, personal hygiene and all other forms of health promotion for humanity, as was exhibited by the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Dr (Mrs) Gladys N. Ashitey, the Deputy Minister of Health, stated that since 2004, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had rehabilitated and constructed 46 training institutions across the country at a cost of GH¢14.4 million.
She said out of the amount, the Berekum Nursing and Midwifery Training College received GH¢1.2 million for the construction of a hostel and classroom blocks.
Dr Ashitey observed that, in view of emerging global shortages for health care workers and its daunting effects on developing countries, such as Ghana, appropriate planning, production and management of human resource for health, were the key to ensuring that Ghanaians had access to health care providers they needed now and in the future.
In her welcome address, the Principal of the College, Miss Monica Nkrumah, said the college had over the years, chalked up academic successes, placing first in 2007 in the nation-wide Midwifery and General Nursing Licensing examinations with 94.66 per cent pass and 92.85 per cent pass in the Registered Midwifery.
She further stated that, since 2003, the college had seen massive infrastructural development from the MOH, including a 200-capacity hostel, a three-unit classroom block, extension to the dining hall and kitchen facilities
The President of the School Representative Council (SRC), Mr Samuel Sasu Bertchie, catalogued a number of activities the students had undertaken in churches, market places and on local FM radio stations over the years.
They include health talk on some common diseases, such as diabetes, mellitus, hypertension, malaria and cardiovascular accidents.
The Catholic Bishop of Goaso, Most Reverend Peter Atuahene, said in response to the changing health needs, the Catholic Health Services continued to introduce many innovative health reforms which were replicated by the MOH for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He said, such policies, included health insurance, home-based care, primary health care and outreach services which were pioneered by some of the church’s facilities before their adoption by the MOH.
Prizes were awarded to distinguished personalities and some members of staff for their long services at the college.