Recent induction ceremony of 30 midwifery students in Lagos, again, underscores the need to meet the millennium development goal, MDG, of reducing child mortality rate by two-thirds in the country.

 

For students cleared after rigorous preliminary training session, PTS, and ready for induction into Basic Midwifery training at the Lagos State School of Nursing, Igando, LSSN, their mien was quite solemn. PTS is quite an intense training session that last for six months after which successful candidates are inducted into midwifery training, proper.

 

But for the 30 students that were inducted that day for current session of the Lagos nursing school, the task ahead, even after qualifying, is worth the need to be sober.

 

The country is in race against time to cut child mortality rate by 75 percent by next year. Both state and federal government have indeed, over the years, thrown immense resources and time against the problem. While appreciable results are there to show, health experts insist that there are still more to be done.

 

A key factor that decides this long drawn battle against maternal and child mortality is availability of midwives in hospitals and health posts across the country. Against this back drop, Cecilia Obe, acting Head of School, LSSN, contends that maintaining teaching professionalism at medical schools was germane to developing the health sector.

 

She stated this at the induction ceremony of 30 students who made it past the PTS recently and are set to commence the basic midwifery training.

 

In terms of turnover of health professionals, the country ranks as foremost in the sub Saharan; so much so that countries depend on Nigerian nurses to sustain their health system. For instance, more than 15 percent of nursing professionals in South Africa are believed to be Nigerians.

 

As result, believes Obe, there is need for LSSN and indeed institutions committed to health training to be committed to producing modern midwifery practitioners that can compete with their contemporaries anywhere in the world.

 

 

The induction ceremony though was not about solemnity alone. It was also pomp and ceremonies state owned school of Nursing in Igando. Neatly kitted, with illuminated faces and broad smile, the students marched elatedly into the induction hall, waiting to be received and officially baptised into the school by the institution’s management.

 

Apart from the intellectual papers delivered by health experts, there was music to celebrate hard work. Dance of triumph, sumptuous meals for all and jubilation stole the entire show.

 

Welcoming the new students, Obe stated that the ceremony was part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria pre-requisite for registration of students for basic midwifery, after successful completion of PTS. She pointed out that the theme of the programme: ‘Improving Maternal and Child Healthcare through Professionalism and Global Best Practices,’ was appropriate.

 

Obe commended Governor Babatunde Fashola’s led administration for what she described as pragmatic and progressive leadership, for showing commitment towards meeting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 of reducing child mortality rate by two-thirds.

 

She also admired the governor for his effort in reducing maternal mortality rate by three-quarters (75 per cent) by 2015, as set out by the United Nations (UN). “He has accorded top priority to improving the standard of healthcare delivery in the state, particularly improving maternal and child health.

 

These are in the areas of building maternal and child centres in the local government areas, with the ultimate goal of reaching all the council areas; and the upgrading of healthcare centres.

 

“More importantly, is the recognition by government of the need for establishing the three year basic midwifery programme that will produce midwives, who are core professionals in maternal and child mortality reduction that can function at all levels of healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.

 

The school’s Coordinator, Mrs Oyefunso Orenuga corroborated acting head of the school position that the 30 students, one male, 29 females, were all successful in their six months evaluation programme, hence, qualified to continue the three years midwifery course. She said Lagos was building a school of excellence that will train professionally sound nurses and midwives of international repute.

 

She promised that the school would not relent in its effort to pursue excellence, learning and service. She disclosed that the institution was currently running school of nursing and school of midwifery both three year programmes.

 

However, she added that there were plans to launch other programmes, such as public health nursing, as soon as government was ready. The students’ class coordinator, Joseph Chigozie Mercy, commended the Igando nursing and midwifery schools, saying the teachers and learning apparatus at the school were second fantastic.

 

According to her, medicine is made easy, adding she could not wait to be fully baked, and then make her service available to Nigerians. “It has been wonderful because we had learnt a lot of things being here for the past six months.

 

I have been groomed well than when I came in. At the end of six months at the school, the exams we did were a tough one because if we had failed, we would not have crossed to the next level.

 

“We passed because we were groomed from the foundation to be hardworking students. With the help of our tutors and everyone in charge here, the exams became easy for us. This is the best school ever and I count myself lucky to be here.

 

“At the end of my graduation, I am looking forward to becoming scientifically and technically-based midwives, having been equipped with the wherewithal to excel as a professional.

 

“The equipment here is superb. We have the demonstration room, where we do a lot of practical and every other thing that is needed for us to become the best are available here. Our teachers are well grounded and they teach us with great passion.

BY NICK UWERU