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The National School of Midwifery held a colorful graduation and prize-giving ceremony of it 36 set of midwives’ students (2022-2024) over the weekend at the Freetown City Hall with the theme “Midwives: A vital climate solution.”
A total of 116 graduated from the school of Midwifery after rigorous training.
The mission of the National School of Midwifery according to the acting Principal, Mrs. Veronica Bull is to produce competent and skilled professionals in Midwifery practice settings who can function at various levels of care towards reduction of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. To ensure student midwives are fully equipped to offer quality reproductive services to women, children and communities.
She congratulated graduates for going through 18 months of intensives training to become State Registered Nurses (SRN) and 3 years for new enrollment.
She also thanked the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) which is the sexual and reproductive health agency for providing funds for staff and students in order to provide quality service delivery in the country.
She disclosed that presently they have 280 students as they are ready to produce quality for safe delivery of babies.
She encouraged graduates to always remember their vision and mission as they go to the field.
The chairperson of the ceremony, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Prince Cole, congratulated graduates for their steadfastness.
“It is high time that we appreciate your role and relevance to the climate solution. It is high time we celebrate your work, the work of midwives. You’re a shining light, your role is very vital to our existence,” he said.
He encouraged them to see themselves as climate champions, while also urging them to maintain their professional ethics as they are called to serve and for them to face the future with zeal.
UNFPA Sierra Leone Deputy Representative, Sibeso Mululuma disclosed that, since 2010, Sierra Leone has successfully trained over 1,800 midwives because of the support they are giving, along with that of other partners.
She added that scholarships to midwifery students and tutors, strengthening the preceptorship program for improved clinical practice, and establishing computer laboratories and internet facilities for teaching and research, among other areas.
“I believe that the Government and its partners can continue to build on this success to reach the minimum target of 3,000 midwives that is recommended by international
benchmarks.
Madam Mululuma reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to sustaining their partnership with the Ministry of Health and partners in strengthening midwifery, including through data generation, analysis and advocacy for strategic investments in midwifery education and training, health workforce planning, creating enabling work environments, and reaching the most risk women and girls.
“To our dear graduates, on this special occasion, I join others in warmly congratulating you. You are valued professionals who are central to the health systems,” she said.
In his keynote speech, Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Charles Senessie, congratulated the graduates. He spoke about the vale the ministry has for quality health care which he said the midwives have to take into grater consideration.
He also spoke about the digitalization of the whole health sector as they know the issues around human resource which they have invested so much on.
The deputy minister also assured the National School of Midwifery of the ministry’s support in the area of allocation at all time.
Mohamed Sidik Bangura is the only male graduate in set 36, he expressed joy for graduating as a midwife as his second graduation in the medical department.
He said he was not actually thinking of becoming a midwife but a medical person. He said he is happy to be among the women and his family are happy about his move too.
Mohamed encouraged other men especially male nurses to join the midwife’s department as four males already enrolled for the course.
Statements were also made by the Sierra Leone Midwives Association Acting President, Mrs. Edwina Conteh; former Principal of National School of Midwifery, Dr. Joan Shepherd; Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office, Matron Augusta Mary Mamako Fullah among others.
Commissioning of graduating set of midwives, distribution of certificates, prizes and special awards formed part of the ceremony.
