Nursing Students Decry Beating, Harassment during Internship at Health Centers, Hospitals
KAGADI
A section of Students of Nursing and Midwifery, under their Umbrella Association, Uganda National association of students for nurses and midwifery(UNASNM) have expressed concern over continued harassment and beating by a section of their supervisors during their deployment for internship and field work at various health centers and hospitals in Uganda.
Moses Baguma, The President of Uganda National association of students for nurses and midwifery while speaking today at the closure of a three day academic Theory and practical national seminar for over 1,000 students from 50 nursing schools in Uganda held at St. Ambrose Institute of health sciences in Kagadi district says many student nurses are beaten and harshly treated by their supervisors during internship which he says tarnishes the image of their profession and instills fear among students.
Participants further asked government to intervene on high tuition fees as well as high transport costs during academic and practical seminars and workshops. They however thanked administration of St. Ambrose institute of health sciences Kagadi for providing conducive environment for learning.
Birungi Harriet Nsamba the Senior Principle officer Technical industrial, Vocation and entrepreneurship training program in the Ministry of Education& sports (TIVET) who represented the commissioner Health education and Training Dr. Safina Musene to officiate the closure of the national student nurses Seminar thanked St. Ambroze for hosting the national event and asked students to abide by their profession and desist from unethical behavior and revenge.
The principal St. Ambrose Institute of health sciences Masereka Emelio asked government to recruit more medical workers, open up medical schools and fund private nursing schools as they supplement on government programs of training medical personnel.
Some of the nursing schools which participated were drawn from Kampala, Fort-Portal, Hoima, Soroti, Mbarara, Jinja, Masindi, Mbale, Mubende among others.
St. Ambrose Institute of Health sciences was established in 2019 by Monsignor Joseph Birungi the episcopal vicar Masindi Vicariate to offer certificates in nursing and midwifery and will soon offer course at diploma level. The pioneer students will graduate in August 2023.The national theory and practical nurses seminar which was punctuated with blood donations and a series of entertainments was under the Theme: Academic excellence and professionalism is our priority, Love and serve’’.
