Legislators want Bill governing nursing, midwifery schools revised

Lawmakers yesterday asked the Executive to revise the Bill governing the establishment and organisation of higher learning institutions of nursing and midwifery so that it is aligned with current developments.The Bill was tabled by the Ministry of Health in 2011.According to MP Ignatienne Nyirarukundo, the deputy chairperson of Parliament’s standing committee on social affairs, which previously examined the Bill, it was sent back on grounds that it requires that such colleges be managed by the Ministry of Health yet currently; the government’s plan is to have all institutions of higher learning to be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.“The second reason is that we are now preparing to set up the University of Rwanda and in fact, these schools of nursing and midwifery are higher learning institutions of learning which must be linked to this ‘One University’ as well as their academic certificates and degrees,” she added.“I therefore request that you approve that we send it back so that it is returned after being properly streamlined.”A subsequent vote on the matter unanimously approved the request by the committee on social affairs to send back the Bill.The purpose of the law, according to Article one, include: governing the establishment of a higher learning institution of nursing and midwifery and determining their mission, structure and organisation. Once passed, such an institution will also have legal autonomy in administration, finance and human resource management. ResponsibilitiesAccording to the Bill, the responsibilities of such a higher learning institution shall include: organising high level courses for trainee nurses and midwives; providing education in the field of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention; providing training to the higher learning institution lecturers; and promoting technology in the nursing and midwifery profession.They will also conduct and promote research in the fields of nursing, midwifery, and medicine.

National

Legislators want Bill governing nursing, midwifery schools revised