As a part of the efforts to reduce the effect of brain drain in the Nigerian medical sector, the University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo City in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health is introducing a two-year community nursing and midwifery programme to train nurses and midwives.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, FNAMed made this known following a meeting between members of the University management team and principal officers in the Ondo State Ministry of Health under the leadership of the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka in Akure.

He said there is a need to proffer a lasting solution to the challenge of brain drain in the Nigerian health sector, adding that the Nursing and the Midwifery Council had earlier approved the training of 150 community nurses and midwives.

“The sole reason for the programme is to address growing human resources deficiency in the Nursing profession and the need to increase the rate of facility delivery in Ondo State to improve the overall health status of the people, particularly the health of mothers and children, in line with the agenda of Governor Akeredolu, and UNIMED's commitment to the development of quality health professionals in Ondo State and nationally,” Prof. Fatusi said.

He lauded the collaboration, saying the University Community is eager to partner with the ministry with respect to community nursing and midwifery training and also looks forward to more partnerships, particularly in the aspect of health research in the state.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka said the two-year community nursing and midwifery programme will commence in March 2023, at the University of Medical Sciences, Akure Campus.

He said interested candidates are expected to have a minimum of four credits in English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, or Chemistry in the O’Level examination at not more than two sittings.

Also, the  Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Folukemi Aladenola, said that the intervention is important to save the system and the future.

Aladenola promised that the Ministry would continue to partner with the University in providing a well-rounded health sector in the state.

She said that the forms for the programmes were available online at www//ondocnm.com.ng  after the payment of N10,000.

The Director of Nursing Services in the Ministry, Dr. Alice Ogundele, explained that the programmes have the State Governor’s approval and that of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). She added that the human resources for the training would come from both the  Ondo State Ministry of Health and the University.