UNMC Chairperson Asks Health Training Institutions to Emphasize Skills, Ethics Among Learners

The Chairperson of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), Christine Nimwesiga, has called on health training institutions to prioritize the development of practical skills and ethical conduct among students. Nimwesiga was speaking during the 10th graduation ceremony of St. Francis School of Health Sciences in Namataba, Mukono District, on Wednesday, under the theme: "Strengthening healthcare service delivery through training for the betterment of humanity."

Nimwesiga noted, “Education plays a critical role in building resilient healthcare systems which without them the healthcare system is not there and therefore, the student’s skills, ethics and dedication directly influence the quality of care that patients receive.”She emphasized, 

“So, as training institutions, we should not look at only giving the knowledge in books, but we should make these candidates or these graduates capable of having the skills, and we also emphasize on ethics and dedication to the services they are going to offer to the community. This you can do it through rigorous training, and institutions can ensure that the healthcare workforce is equipped not just with knowledge, but with compassion and resilience needed to respond to the complex healthcare challenges of our time.”

Nimwesiga further reminded graduates, “You are going to meet complex situations where you will need to use all your senses. And this one, we have been emphasizing it as a regulatory body. I know that human rights people, normally want to have everything for everybody. But in healthcare training, we are saying you must have all your senses functioning, and your physical body should be able to function for you to support others.”

She added, “So the directors and the tutors, we are saying on top of knowledge, let us teach our students how to be compassionate, how to be resilient, to avoid jumping here and there.”Rev. Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri, the guest of honor who also led the graduation mass, urged the graduates to maintain integrity and prioritize humanity in their work. 

He said, “Always remember that ethics and integrity are key in your different professions, especially as health workers you must put humanity first in all your endeavors. Avoid extortion, give clear results, and avoid asking them to return unnecessary reviews for money. As professionals who are coming out of this institution today, go with the slogan of putting God first in everything, and focus on healing life. Be patient with clients since some of them are anxious.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rose Nanyonga Clerke, Vice Chancellor of Clarke International University and chief guest, encouraged the graduates to embrace leadership through action rather than focusing solely on titles. She remarked, “Leadership in action is about how we show up in every day of our lives and how we choose to influence others. …many of you will walk into hospitals, clinics, and research centers, and your skills will save lives, your skills will restore hope, and your skills will inspire confidence. But beyond the knowledge and skills you have learned here, what will set you apart as a professional is your ability to lead and influence others. I want to tell you that sometimes leadership in action requires courage."

During the ceremony, 363 graduates received Certificates and Diplomas from the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB), Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB), and internally awarded programs under the National Council for Higher Education.

The Institution Rector, Peter Bbosa Kiwanuka, commended parents, sponsors, and guardians for their support. He announced, “A total of 258 are female and 105 are male. These health cadres are properly trained in knowledge, skills and attitude to match the 21st century demand and we thank God for the blessing.”