Picketing nursing trainee students have been suspended

The trainee nurses from Dunkwa Nursing Training College who picketed in Accra to demand unpaid allowances have been suspended Myjoyonline.com can confirm.

The students numbering about 500 spent the night in Accra on May 18, 2015 after they were bused from Cape Coast to protest three years of unpaid allowances.

The leaders of the picketers later met with the Health Minister Alex Segbefia who promised to have their allowances paid.

Myjoyonline.com can confirm that a month after meeting the Minister the students have still not received their allowances.

Rather they have been suspended with some facing the risk of having their registration to take part in the final state diploma licensing examination revoked.

The punitive measures were taken by the Advisory Board of the school.

In a letter signed by the Board Chair of the School Nana Addai Gyambra said the Dunkwa midwifery is built on the solid foundation of patience, tolerance, respect for authorities and obedience for which reason the school will not countenance any form of disrespect from the students.

"I must state this institution is governed by rules and regulations which every student is under obligation to obey every bit of it to the letter . The advisory board and management of the school will not sit down for the students to dictate what goes on in the school.

Discipline still rules and it will continue to be the hallmark of the school," Addai Gyambra stated in the letter to the students which Myjoyonline.com has intercepted.

While condemning the decision by the students to board eight buses to Accra without authorization from the school authorities, the advisory board said it is even more disappointed that the student leaders have shown no sign of remorse and have even refused to apologise for their action.

For the gross insubordination, the board has applied the following sanctions; "Write an apology letter to the school's management board members, stakeholders, Association executives, Nananom and the Minister of Health.

"Your are required to sign a bond to be of good behavior.

"The first two requirements are to be met by June 18, 2015, 12:00pm prompt," the first part of the punitive measures read.

The affected students must also perform "two weeks of internal suspension with hard labour ie. 19th-26th June and the second week starting from 10th-17th July 2015.

"Note for the outgoing students , failure to comply with these directives with immediate effect will compel the school to revoke their registration to take part in the impending final state diploma licensing examination and for the continuing students, the rest
will follow," the last part of the sanctions read.

Source:  Myjoyonline.com | Nathan Gadugah

IT specialist arrested over nurses training school admission scam

An Information Technology (IT) expert who is suspected to be behind a syndicate that hacks into the online nurses training school admission system of the Ministry of Health has been arrested by the police.

The suspect, Isaac Kwesi Otibu, 27, an official of the IT Department of the Accra Regional Hospital School of Anaesthesia at Ridge, is said to have generated his own online forms and receipts in the name of the ministry which he sold and issued to potential students.

An accomplice, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, has also been arrested.

The accomplice is said to have mounted an illegal sales point for the sale of the forms, although they were to be bought at the health training schools.

The health training schools include nurses training schools, health assistant training schools, school of hygiene, psychiatric nurses training schools, school of dental technology, public health, community nursing, peri-operative and school of anaesthesia.

The syndicate, which has been detected nationwide in all health training schools, is said to have cost the Ministry of Health about GH¢3 million, representing 50 per cent of its internally generated funds from the sale of the nurses training school admission forms.

Prospective students pay GH¢80 for online forms, after which they are issued with receipts with special codes which are used to fill the admission forms online.

An additional GH¢20 is paid for an envelope and postage of the admission letter.


Sales person detects fake code

The Accra Regional Police Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Paul Natongma, told the Daily Graphic that the suspects were being processed for court on a provisional charge of forging documents.

Otibu, he said, was arrested after a sales person of the School of Anaesthesia was approached by a potential student with a receipt purported to have been issued by the school.

The sales person was said to have found out that the code on the receipt was fake, even though it had similar features like the authentic receipt.


More victims

Confirming the case, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, Mr Tony Goodman, said the suspects had been syphoning revenue due the ministry and defrauding applicants for some time now.

“We suspect many people have fallen victim. In such cases, when people buy the forms from these fraudsters, they are not selected in the admission process because it is detected that the codes are fake,” he said.

According to him, the fake forms were sold in vans, illegal sales points and Internet cafes across the country.

Mr Goodman said until 2013, the ministry used the manual process by which applicants had to buy brochures at post offices which they filled and submitted through courier services, after indicating the schools of their choice.

“However, two years ago, we discovered that people were printing the manual brochures and selling them to unsuspecting applicants,” he said, adding that “the ministry then decided to invest in a system that would put a stop to the situation, leading to the acquisition of a server for the generation of software for the issuing of the receipt and online services”.


Source: Written by Emelia Ennin Abbey, Graphic.com.gh

70 critical care nurses graduate from School of Peri-Operative and Critical Care Nursing in Accra

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Professor Ahmed Zakariah, has urged graduates of the school of Peri-Operative and Critical Care Nursing to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in their practice and deliver exemplary cost effective patient care that would help improve quality delivery in the country.

He advised them to be mindful of their attitude towards patients as the negative behaviour by some of them was tarnishing the image of the profession.

Addressing the 8th congregation of the School of Peri-Operative and Critical Care Nursing in Accra, Prof Zakariah said the nursing profession was one that required total dedication and tolerance.

He, however, assured management of the school of the Ministry of Health’s support to enhance academic work.

In all, 70 students graduated from the Peri-Operative Nursing and Critical Care Nursing. Out of the number, 32 graduated from Peri-Operative with the remaining 38 graduating from Critical Nursing after 15- month training.

Leading the graduates, made up of 54 women and 16 men, to swear the Oath (Nurses pledge), they were charged to be strong advocates of the profession.

The oath binds each nurse to abide by all rules and regulations, and also be of good behaviour while pursuing their careers in order to promote a positive image for the nursing field.

The overall best graduating student award went to Ms Rosemond Agyeiwaa of the Critical Care Nursing.

Collaboration

Delivering the school’s report, the Principal of the School, Mr Kwaku Asante-Krobea, stated that the school would collaborate with other foreign partners to set up a consortium for health skill training in Ghana and extend the partnership to other institutions.

He said the school would expand its present territory by having its own infrastructure adding that the Ministry of Health was on the verge of providing a two-storey building for the school which was expected to be complete by July 2016.

Mr Asante-Krobea cited inadequate staff, lack of permanent campus, inadequate accommodation for students and staff as some of the challenges facing the school.

Currently, Mr Asante-Krobea said the school had achieved a substantial credibility and an image of a post-basic institution that trained specialised nurses in peri-operative and critical nurses.

Piece of advice

Mr Asante-Krobea advised the students to be guided by the values of the school, which were excellence, dedication and tolerance.

The Registrar of the Nurses and Midwifey Council, Mr Felix Kwame Nyanteh, charged the graduates to be good ambassadors where ever they found themselves.

The out-going General Prefect, Mr David Awini, commended the authorities for their immense support towards their spiritual, educational and social upbringing.

He urged his colleagues to go out and work very hard.


- By Selorm Yaw Dovia, Graphic.com.gh

Anglican University College of Technology appeals for assistance

Nkoranza (B/A), April 26, GNA – The Authorities of the Anglican University College of Technology at Nkoranza in the Brong-Ahafo Region have appealed to the First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama to assist the Institution to set up three Health Programmes to enhance its development.

According to the University, the Programmes include Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery and Health Assistants.

Reverend Canon Dr. Joe Eyison, the Dean of the School of Food and Health Science of the University made the appeal on behalf of the Institution through the Omanhene of Nkoranza, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom, when the First Lady paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene at his Palace on Wednesday.

Rev. (Dr.) Eyison said the University had been given the clearance by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to run the three Programmes in the 2015/2016 Academic Year and would therefore need the support of the First Lady to be able to articulate the plans.

He stressed that the Institution had contracted the services of MEVEGA Consortium to draw a curriculum and identified the list of books and equipment that would lead it to get accreditation from the National Accreditation Board (NAB) to start work on the three Programmes.

Rev.(Dr) Eyison identified inadequate classrooms, lack of skills laboratories for the General Nursing and Midwifery as well as inadequate Recommended Text-books as major challenges facing the University, emphasizing that, the position was militating against the immediate take off of the Programmes, hence imploring Mrs Mahama for her assistance in that direction.

The Dean of School of Food and Health Science of the University expressed the hope that the establishment of the three Programmes would serve the people of Nkoranza and its environs and even the entire country to fill the manpower requirement to meet the Millennium Development Goals Four(4) and Five(5).

Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom added his voice to the University’s request and urged the Government to come to its aid, as a way to expand the Academic Programmes of the Institution.

The Omanhene praised Mrs. Mahama for assisting them with a number of development programmes to complement the efforts of Government to improve the lifestyles of the people of the area.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Presby Church to build more Health Training Schools

The Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr Samuel Ayete-Nyampong, has said that the church will continue to build more health training institutions to train more health professionals.

He said it was for that reason that the church had decided to convert all its vocational training centres into health training institutions.

He said the health coordinating unit of the church, with support of the committee on health and environment, had been charged to accomplish this task by 2020.

Rev. Dr Ayete-Nyampong said this when he opened the 21st annual performance review meeting of the Presbyterian Health Services at Abokobi in the Ga East District in the Greater Accra Region.

He reiterated the church’s commitment to promote quality healthcare delivery to ensure productivity.

Rev. Dr Ayete-Nyampong said over the years the Presbyterian Church of Ghana had extended the delivery of quality health care to almost every corner of the country, adding that it would continue to provide both logistic and infrastructure support for its health facilities.

Vocational institute

Rev. Dr Ayete-Nyampong said last year the church handed over the Duayaw-Nkwanta Girls Vocational Institute to the health unit of the church to convert it into a midwifery training school. 

He said the process had already begun, with the first batch of students expected to be admitted in the 2016/2017 academic year, adding that the vision of the church in the health sector was to serve the poor through the provision of holistic, affordable and quality health service in fulfilment of Christ’s mandate “to go and heal the sick and tell them about the Kingdom of God.”

Rev. Ayete-Nyampong said the church would continue to be a key player in health service delivery in the country.

Health facilities

He said currently the church had 51 health facilities made up of four district/municipal hospitals, one regional eye clinic, nine primary healthcare outreach centres, 31 health centres and clinics, one nursing and midwifery training school, one nurses training college, a midwifery training school, a health technical maintenance unit and two community-based rehabilitation centres, making it the third largest provider of health services in the country.

Rev. Dr Ayete-Nyampong said without doubt the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of developing the health sector. He, therefore, gave the assurance that the church was prepared to continue partnering the government in its development efforts.

NHIS indebtedness

The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, (CHAG),  Mr Peter Kwame Yeboah, expressed concern about the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) indebtedness to the health institutions, which was making it difficult for them to perform some of their activities effectively.

He said the CHAG leadership and the churches would continue to engage the government to resolve this important national issue.

Mr Yeboah commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for its contributions to health delivery in Ghana.

Source: Graphic Online

PRIVATE NURSES' TRAINING COLLEGES

NARH-BITA COLLEGE
LOCATION: Tema
DIPLOMA AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


NIGHTINGALE SCHOOL OF NURSING
LOCATION: Adenta, Accra
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


PREMIER NURSES’ TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Kumasi
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Development Studies.


ST KAROL SCHOOL OF NURSING
LOCATION: Accra
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


WESTERN HILLS NURSES’ TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Accra
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana

Public Nurses' Training Colleges

37 MILITARY HOSPITAL NURSES TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: 37 Military Hospital - Accra
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


ANKAFUL NURSES TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Ankaful
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


BOLE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURES’ TRAINING COLLEGE
Location: Bole
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


BOLGATANGA MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
Location: Bolgatanga
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


HOLY FAMILY NURSES & MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE - BEREKUM
LOCATION: Berekum
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


HOLY FAMILY NURSES AND MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Kenten - Techiman
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


HOLY FAMILY NURSES TRAINING COLLEGE - NKAWKAW
Location: Nkawkaw
CERTIFICATE(S) AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


KATH NURSING & MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Kumasi
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


KOFORIDUA NURSES & MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Koforidua
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


MIDWIFERY AND HEALTH ASSISTANTS TRAINING SCHOOL, TEPA
LOCATION: Tepa
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
Location: Hohoe
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


NANDOM MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
Location: Nandom
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


NURSES' TRAINING COLLEGE - HO
Location: Ho
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


NURSING AND MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE KPEMBE
LOCATION: Kpembe
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


NURSING AND MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE, KORLE BU, ACCRA
Location: Korle Bu, Accra
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


NURSING & MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE, AGOGO
LOCATION: Agogo
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


NURSING AND HEALTH ASSISTANTS (CLINICAL) TRAINING COLLEGE, ZUARUNGU
LOCATION: Zuarungu
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST


NURSING AND MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
Location: Dunkwa-on-Offin
CERTIFICATE(S) AWARDED BY: KNUST


PANTANG NURSES TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Pantang
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


SEKONDI NURSES & MIDWIFERY TRAINING COLLEGE
LOCATION: Secondi
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: University of Ghana


AMALE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL
Location: Tamale
CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY: KNUST

Health Training Institutions Admissions (2015/2016 Academic Year)

Deadline for Completing Online Application Form:

 30th April, 2015.

Online Admission Codes

1. Application forms and scratch cards can be obtained at all Health Training Institutions and other designated sales points.
2. Forms should be purchased at GH₵60
3. FedEX Envelope should be purchased at GH₵15
4. Completed Forms must be returned to the school of choice either in person or by courier (FedEX), not later than 30th April, 2015.

**This CODE can ONLY be used Three (3) times to access the website and to apply for one programme.**Mode of Application

Candidates can apply to Health Training Institutions, through

A. Purchasing scratch cards and filling the forms online (Internet Based Application)

B. Application forms can be filled directly online at: www.mohadmissions.com using your SCRATCH CARD NUMBER and PIN CODE.

C. 1. Log onto www.mohadmissions.com

A. Guidelines for filling online forms
It is important to read all instructions carefully before completing the application form. Applicants are advised to complete every applicable portion of the form.

1. On the Programme Selection screen select the type programme you qualify for to apply. The options are
a) Basic Programmes (SSSCE) – For applicants applying with only SSSCE results
b) Basic Programmes (WASSCE) – For applying with only WASSCE results
c) Post Basic Programmes – For applicants who are already health workers and would like to further their education.

2. Enter card details on login screen to gain access to the Application Form

3. On the registration screen enter details as indicated

4 Information to look out for on the application form includes:

i. Personal Information of Applicant

Name of applicant: 
Applicants are to write their names correctly in this order: SURNAME, FIRST NAME and OTHER NAMES as provided on the form. Official names must correspond exactly with those used for all examinations taken e.g. SSCE. The same must be used for registration on admission to the college, unless there is a legal proof of change of name.

Address of applicant: 
Applicants are advised to provide accurate information on their current addresses on both the form and the envelope to enable the college of choice communicate to them and also avoid incidence of returned unclaimed letters. Applicants are to provide both a correspondence address and residential address if they are not the same.

Phone number and email of applicant: 
Applicants are advised to provide accurate information on their current phone numbers and email address to enable easy communication between them and the college of choice. In situations where the phone number of the applicant changes, the school of choice must be duly informed.

Information on Guardian: 
Applicants are advised to provide sufficient and accurate information on parents / guardians as indicated on the form to make it easy to contact them when necessary.


ii. Academic Profile of Applicant and Work Experience

Applicants for Basic programmes are to provide accurate details of all Academic qualifications relevant to their application. Applicants are given the opportunity to enter results for three sittings. Applicants are to provide the overall aggregate of six subjects (3 core + 3 electives from the stated elective programmes refer to iii) for each sitting using the West African Examination Council Examination equivalences. Applicants with experience in a Health related field are also to provide details of their work experience.
Applicants for Post Basic programmes should in addition to their Academic qualification, provide details of all relevant professional experience as pertains to their programme.


iii. Choice of Programme and School

Applicants are to select their programme of choice and school in this section. All available programmes have been indicated in Appendix B. Applicants should carefully go through the programmes available, select the appropriate one and write it in the space provided. Schools offering the various programmes have also been indicated in Appendix B. Candidates are to select the appropriate Institution for the programme chosen and indicate it in the space provided. Please note that only one programme can be selected for each form purchased.


iv. Declaration

This section is in two parts. The first part is to be filled by the applicant whiles the second part is to be filled by a person of high repute (Head of former Secondary School, a Reverend Minister or a Director of a Public service or equivalent) in the case of Basic programmes, the Head of your present employment (in the case of post-basic programme applicants)
NB. Fields marked with asterix (*) are mandatory.

5. Click on Continue to go to confirmation page

6. Check to see if information provided is accurate

7. Click on Confirm if accurate or Edit if there are errors to return and make corrections

8. Click on Printer Icon to print out form

9. Fill and sign the declaration form and endorse it appropriately

10. Post the printout, WAEC Results and declaration form via FedEX to the school of choice.
NB. Indicate clearly, the programme you applied for at the back of the envelope
Please ensure that you keep a photocopy of the form you send to the school for reference

Please note you must not spend more than 30 minutes on a single page, or you will be automatically logged out.


Caution: One Code can ONLY be used to apply for one programme. Any editing with overwrites your previous information. Using one card to apply for two programmes with render your application void.

**This CODE can ONLY be used Three (3) times to access the website and to apply for one programme.**

Online Admission Codes

1. Application forms and scratch cards can be obtained at all Health Training Institutions and other designated sales points.
2. Forms should be purchased at GH₵60
3. FedEX Envelope should be purchased at GH₵15
4. Completed Forms must be returned to the school of choice either in person or by courier (FedEX), not later than 30th April, 2015.