Evaluation of Malawi's Emergency Human Resources Programme

Management Sciences for Health
Figure 19. Enrolments at Training Institutions of Nurses (and Midwives), 2004- 2008
(CHAM, MCHS, KCN)
B. Qualitative Findings
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Nurse (+ Midwives)
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Focus groups were held with faculty and administrators at health training institutions as
well as with students in their final year of training. The purpose of these focus group
discussions was to examine to what extent new or innovative Programmes have increased
the intake and output of students and to determine student views on career plans,
commitments to a career in the Malawi health services and how the EHRP may have
influenced them.
From faculty and administrators
� Respondents reported that they were able to increase the enrolment of students by
offering innovative Programmes, including use of off-campus accommodation,
use of part time tutors, cluster training and converting unused space, rather than
by infrastructure improvements, which took time to implement and are still not
completed.
� Access to training opportunities through government subsidised fees significantly
increased enrolments, which will directly contribute to increased numbers of
newly employed health professionals entering service and bonded for a period of
five years.
� Respondents reported the following obstacles in expanding training: lack of
adequate teaching space, accommodation, and shortage of tutors, which were not
adequately addressed in the EHRP.
� Delayed and low disbursement of funding for infrastructure development from
MOH and its partners resulted in increased operational costs for the health
EHRP Evaluation Final Report Page 37