ANNUAL HEALTH BULLETIN 2004 - Ministry of Health

Activities
The Royal Institute of Health Sciences as mandated in its vision and mission statements
continues to produce relevant and well trained mid level health human resource for the
Health Ministry. 71 pre service trainees graduated during the year. They include 18
GNMs, 17 HAs, and 36 technicians bringing the total number of graduates to over 1500
since its establishment as the Health School in 1974. 15 senior health assistants
completed the one year Diploma in clinical management course and will soon be posted
as Assistant Clinical Officers. The second batch of 16 senior staff nurses were also
awarded their Bachelor's Degree in Nursing early this year after completing the two year
conversion program conducted at RIHS in collaboration with La Trobe University,
Australia. The Bachelor of Nursing conversion program has been a grand success with
the targeted number of 30 staff nurses getting their Bachelor's degree. 2 scholarships
were awarded for the second time by the Vice Chancellor at the Faculty of Nursing, La
Trobe University.
78 new trainees were recruited in the 2004-2005 academic session, 22 GNMs, 19 HAs
and 37 technicians. Majority of candidates are with class 12 pass qualification. This is an
encouraging trend as we have trainees who are not only better qualified but are also more
mature and with better prospects for further training. The total number of trainees as of
today stands at 194 with 104 males and 90 female. This is near the maximum capacity
that RillS can handle.
4 new faculty members have been inducted into the RIHS. 3 more have re joined after
completing their Masters. There are 22 full time faculty members (8 with Masters, 3
undergoing Masters, 7 with Bachelors and the rest with Diploma or certificates) and 20
support staff. We also have 1 JOeV IT lecturer and one UNV midwifery lecturer on a
two year contract but whose terms are nearing their end.
While both quantity and quality in terms of qualification and experience has improved
significantly in the last few years, the faculty position is slil1 far from optimum if RIHS is
to impart quality training and handle the increased inti.J(c of both pre service and in
service training. We urgently need one more doctor to teach the clinical aspects, one
community health specialist, one health educator or communication expert and at least 4
nursing lecturers. The faculty also needs to be trained ;md updated on subject specific
knowledge, teaching methodologies and best practices. In this regard, many of the faculty
members had the opportunity to attend a teaching methodology workshop at NRTI,
Lobesa organized by RUB with expertise from NIF. A few of the staff also had
opportunities to attend trainings or workshops outside the country. With the
Government's approval of payment of remuneration to part time or visiting lecturers, the
faculty position and the quality of training is expected to Improve significantly with the
greater enthusiasm and participation of the doctors, nurses and technologist from the
JDWNRH and programme personnel from the Ministry.