Nursing schools sign MoA with UPNG

By ELIZABETH MIAE

TWO nursing schools in the Highlands have affiliated with the University of PNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS).

A memorandum of agreement was signed in Port Moresby yesterday between UPNG, Mendi School of Nursing in Southern Highlands and Kudjip Nazarene College of Nursing in Jiwaka. 

SMHS executive dean Prof Nakapi Tefuarani said the agreement would outline the responsibilities of the signatories and also provide a framework to implement the government’s vision. 

He said health training institutions were producing well below the number required to provide the much needed health care services. 

“This is a start where nursing schools will have links and access to the university. 

“Nursing is the most important training in the health sector,” deputy dean Prof John Vince said. 

UPNG pro-vice chancellor Prof Pulapa Subba Rao told the school principals that the training they provided was significant and the affiliation would give weight to graduates from the two schools whose qualifications would be well recognised by employers.

National board chairman for the church of Nazarene Rev Yambe Sika said they believed in producing nurses who would perform their duties with love and care for their patients and the affiliation was a milestone for them. 

The same sentiment was expressed by MSON principal Lucy Langer who was moved by the decision of UPNG to take her institution on board.

“I didn’t think we’d come this far and I didn’t think Prof Sir Isi Kevau would take us on board.”

“It was in 1992 when we started talking about affiliating with UPNG and today we are signing that MoA.”

Langer acknowledged everyone who had played a part in making the affiliation possible adding that the Mendi community would be happy to hear of that occasion as the first step.