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Four years of waiting finally came to a joyous end last week as 201 students of Nyagatare School of Nursing and Midwifery were awarded advanced diplomas.The students, including the pioneer group at the school, specialised in general nursing and midwifery. They had been waiting for their graduation since 2009 when they completed their one-year course. Students from three intakes graduated on the same day. The accreditation of the school was delayed until mid this year, which consequently delayed the graduation of the pioneer students.John Mugarura, the school principal, said the school is committed to producing professional health workers.“We have had many challenges, including shortage of qualified teachers and infrastructure. However, we remain committed to address the critical issue of scarcity of nurses in the country. There is no doubt that our graduates will serve the communities diligently,” he said.Rwanda recently restructured nursing and midwifery education system that saw Byumba, Kabgayi, Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kibungo nursing schools lifted to higher education institutions.Dr Innocent Sebasaza Mugisha, of National Council of Higher Education, who presided over the function, said government was committed to promoting nursing and midwifery.He said increasing the number of nurses and midwives would help the country meet the high demand for their services.“The delay to graduate the nurses notwithstanding, we are committed to providing quality education. Highly competent and motivated nurses and midwives is what we crave for,” he said.Immaculee Gahizi Umwiza, a students’ representative, said the graduation was long overdue, adding that the graduates would further their studies.“It’s been long; we waited for this day with bated breath. We were becoming impatient, but we are extremely happy after the awards. We shall organise for further studies, so that we do our noble work to care for the sick with requisite knowledge and skills.Presently, the ratio of midwife per pregnant woman stands at 1:44,584, according to the Ministry of Health.