IPNews- Monrovia, Liberia 6 December 2017 – The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health has launched six skills laboratory facilities for midwifery and medical institutions at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts, (TNIMA).
Health Minister Dr. Bernice Dahn said the facilities would provide students the opportunity to be trained, urging them to take full advantage of the skills laboratories.
“While we were fighting Ebola, we were also planning for the future. We have been working on improving the health workforce,” Dahn said.
The Health Minister, launching the laboratory facilities, stated that it was a great day for pre-service educators across Liberia.
“It is a great day for pre-service educators; we want to say thanks to the government of Liberia, for making good partnerships, that are bringing support to improve quality health service,” Dahn added.
Health Minister Dahn further said the government wants to reduce maternal mortality in the country; adding, “Only adequately health workers can do it.”
For his part, USAID/Liberia Mission Director, Anthony Chan, said the donation from the American people through USAID will help students with more practical skills.
Chan also said that the laboratories will train students properly which will support the medical needs of many Liberians.
“Providing access to medical service, including people, will decrease preventable death; we are pleased to provide equipment to improve the quality of education,” Chan added.
Also speaking Human Resources for Health (Maternal and Child Survival Program) Chief of Party, Marion Subah, said the facilities will improve and strengthen the learning environment and that students will have the resources to work with.
Madam Subah said the laboratories at the six institutions are the first time for such facilities at any midwifery learning centers in the country.
The skills laboratory is where students can practice skills in a supported experiential learning environment to importantly enable the development of student’s competency and confidence in delivering quality healthcare.
The program highlights USAID and implementing partners’ contributions to the development of a fit for purpose, productive and motivated health workforce through pre-service education institutions strengthening and efforts aimed at improving health services and reducing maternal newborn deaths.
The direct beneficiaries of the skills laboratories include the registered midwifery and medical laboratory technicians programs are Monrovia-based Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts, Winifed J. Harley College of Health Sciences, United Methodist University and the Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences.
Esther Barcon School of Nursing and midwifery, in Zorzor, Lofa County, Phebe Paramedical Training program of Phebe, Bong County and the Denna K. Isaacson School of midwifery formally the midwifery training program for the southeastern region located in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
As part of its activities, the MCSP HRH project has been distributing teaching equipment and supplies to set up skills laboratories in each of its six-supported pre-services institutions.
