International collaboration project to improve Ghana’s nursing and midwifery
Academics from the University of Huddersfield are lending their expertise to a project that will improve standards of nursing and midwifery in Ghana.
Among the project’s aims are the establishment of a real-time database and improvements to an existing Management Information System. It is hoped that these actions, and other aspects of the project, will lead to improvements in decision making and opportunities for staff development that will help Ghana’s healthcare system.
This project, the Global Health Workforce Programme, which is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care via the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), aims to strengthen the ability of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana to oversee and regulate the professional register of nurses and midwives and to ensure high quality nursing and midwifery care.
The university has previously collaborated with THET and the N&MC and is helping Ghana’s healthcare to adopt global best practices in professional regulation.
"We are thrilled to have secured this grant, enabling us to pioneer transformative changes in Ghana's nursing and midwifery sector," said Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in the university's Department of Nursing.
Precious Adade Duodu
SENIOR LECTURER, ADULT NURSING, DEPT OF NURSING, SCHOOL OF HUMAN/HEALTH SCIENCE
This project will transform licensing and contribute to introducing revalidation processes similar to that of UK as well as foster transparency, accountability and professional development. By deploying cutting-edge technology to establish and implement a robust real-time electronic database, we aim to ensure the highest standards of healthcare services, empowering nurses and midwives for a brighter and more efficient future.
Dr Bibha Simkhada, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nursing, added, "We also hope that enhancing nursing and midwifery regulation and capacity building within a country can reduce ‘brain drain’. This can be done by providing local nurses and midwives with professional opportunities, career development and international recognition while improving ‘brain gain’ for receiving countries.
Dr Bibha Simkhada
SENIOR LECTURER, ADULT NURSING, DEPT OF NURSING, SCHOOL OF HUMAN/HEALTH SCIENCE
“This fosters job satisfaction, retains skilled professionals, and facilitates collaborative solutions, contributing to workforce stability and addressing healthcare challenges effectively.”
The project’s potential has been recognised in Ghana, with Ag. Registrar of the N&MC Mrs. Philomina Woolley adding that, “A successful implementation of this project will see Ghana as the first country in Africa to introduce revalidation in the regulation of nurses and midwives.
Philomina Woolley
Ag. Registrar, N&MC
"This project will also result in an integrated streamline platform that will foster accountability within the regulatory framework through the utilisation of real data analytics.”
Dr Susan Jones, from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Liverpool said, “This is an exciting opportunity for the N&MC in Ghana and the University of Huddersfield to continue its partnership looking at how nurses and midwives are registered as professionals. The work has the potential for global impact as we look to manage the global shortage of nurses and midwives and maintain high standards of care.”
Prof Padam Simkhada, Associate Dean International for School of Human and Health Sciences, indicated that, “the project's success is a transformative milestone, setting a global standard for healthcare regulation and efficient implementation strategies. The project’s team members from the University of Huddersfield are also part of the Global Consortium for Public Health Research, supported by International Collaboration Fund, and are also executing a longitudinal study in Ghana, aiming to strengthen the healthcare system there.”