Training of teachers urgent to produce quality nurses

THE number of nursing colleges and institutes in public and private sectors has exceeded 100, but the quality of their teachers has not. Over 63 percent of teaching posts in them are still vacant to suggest that trained manpower is the big problem, although over hundred colleges and institutes have already made their debut to produce enough nurse for the country’s health sector. Every year around 3000 nurses pass out now from these institutes but their quality of work and ability remained questionable in absence of qualified teachers and trainers.
In 2009, the government initiated the private sector nursing policy which enforced the obligation on these institutions to appoint full-time thematic nurses, teachers and staff. But the latest reports quoted officials of the Council of Nursing Services Department in the newspaper as saying that the compliance of the requirements as provided in the government policy is facing snags.
Disclosure made by officials of at least 10 nursing colleges and institutes showed they are struggling to run their facilities with qualified teachers. They have exhausted all ways to hire qualified teachers including asking the Ministry to arrange trained teachers. They are currently trying to overcome teachers’ crisis by hiring part time guest teachers and senior hospital nurses. Experts in the field said knowing about a patient’s physical condition and reporting it to physicians are the responsibility of nurses. Lack of proper training and education can be as a big setback.
Meanwhile, nursing education policies of 1977 is still in practice although training and education of nurses have made far-reaching advancement so far without updating our curricular. Initiatives to improve the quality of teachers did not make much headway, study opportunity for nurses abroad also did not make a breakthrough. Experts have called for proper recruitment of competent teachers as a solution to overcome the crisis. This is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and they are to come forward yet in this respect.
 Bangladesh Diploma Nurses Association functionaries have been quoted as blaming the government for lack of vision. Leaders of the nursing profession have also failed so far to make their case effectively to the government. As per World Health Organization estimate health sector in Bangladesh requires over 1.97 lakh nurses meaning one physician needs at least three nurses. But the ratio at present stands one for one. It is seriously affecting the expansion of health care facilities throughout the country.
In our view the government and the private hospitals including the NGPs must take the initiative to train teachers at home and abroad to create the sound institutional base for creating enough number of nurses for the health sector. Any lack of interest or initiative by the government is not acceptable.