scholarly journals Re-envisioning paediatric nurse training in a re-engineered health care system

Curationis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minette Coetzee

Background: South African’s infant and child mortality rates remain high and at the current rate of decline will not meet the Millennium Development Goals of a two thirds decrease by 2015. At the latest available count, there were fewer than 1500 qualified paediatric nurses on the National South African Nursing Council register, with only about 100 nurses graduating with this qualification from South African nursing schools annually. It is not clear, however, if current paediatric nurse training programmes adequately equip nurses to make a real impact on reducing the under-5 mortality rate. In their 2011 interim report, the Ministerial Committee on Morbidity and Mortality in Children under 5 years recommended strengthening paediatric nurses’ training as a strategy to reduce the under-5 mortality rate.Method: In response to the Committee on Morbidity and Mortality in Children recommendation, a colloquium was convened as a national forum for schools of nursing, departments of health, health care facilities, clinicians and regulatory bodies to advance children’s nursing in South Africa.Objectives: The goals of the colloquium were to thoroughly investigate the situation in South Africa’s paediatric nurse training, plot ways to strengthen and expand postgraduate paediatric programmes to meet priority child health needs, and to build relationships between the various schools and stakeholders.Results: Outcomes included the clarification and strengthening of a ‘stakeholder grid’ in nurse training, recognition of the need for more active teaching and learning strategies in curricula linked to national child health priorities, as well as the need to develop and support clinical nursing practice in facilities.

Author(s):  
Cliona Ni Bhrolchain

Specialist and advanced nursing roles have started to emerge in paediatrics and paediatricians may be asked to support nurses through their training. While there are specific training programmes for some areas of practice eg, neonatology, there are currently no programmes for others. Paediatricians may therefore find themselves being asked to train nurse specialists outside a formal training programme, or to provide the clinical specialty component linked to a generic MSc course, where the paediatrician may be required to devise a training curriculum specific to their area of practice. Using, neonatology, there are currently no programmes for others. Paediatricians may therefore find themselves being asked to train nurse specialists outside a formal training programme, or to provide the clinical specialty component linked to a generic MSc course, where the paediatrician may be required to devise a training curriculum specific to their area of practice. Using community child health as an example, this paper outlines how paediatricians might approach this, based on the experience of the author. However, the principles outlined can apply to any area of paediatrics.


1999 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5
Author(s):  
Katherine F. Shepard

This paper presents a brief description of some of the author’s perceptions of the land, of physiotherapy education and practice and of the struggle of the nation of South Africa acquired during a 4 week visit in late spring 1997. One week was spent in Cape Town participating in several venues at the International Congress of the South African Society of Physiotherapy. Three weeks were spent at the University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg presenting a course in qualitative research to health care colleagues representing the disciplines of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and occupational health. During the time in Johannesburg several health care facilities were visited including Baragwanath Hospital, Natal Hospital and the Wits Rural Facility and Tinswalo Hospital at Acornhoek.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Gerald Boon ◽  
Haroon Saloojee ◽  
Jenny Nash

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahwish Kabir

Dear Editor, COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis with 61, 149,391 confirmed cases and 370,478 deaths till 29May, 2020 [1]. This pandemic has shattered many economies with an estimated loss of $5.8 trillion to $8.8 trillion globally. This economic loss can result in reduction in funds to World Health Organization. Unfortunately, United States of America (USA) has announced termination of any further funding to WHO which can lead to another global health crisis [2]. As WHO is a voluntary funding based organization its main donor are America, China, Japan, Germany and United Kingdom. Among these USA is the main donor with a contribution of $115.8million alone followed by China $57.4 million, Japan $41million, Germany $29.1 million and UK $21.9 million [3].  America’s termination of funding can put WHO and child health programs in serious crisis. Among many programs run by WHO one of the most important program is immunization of children. Immunization coverage programs  save 2-3 million lives per year causing decline in measles related deaths, eradication of polio, surveillance of rotavirus, BCG and DTaP vaccination in children[4].  It is estimated that during Millennium Development Goal (MDG) there is overall decline in child related mortalities due to malaria, measles, diarrhea, AIDS and meningitis [5]. Remarkable results are achieved with measles are diarrhea immunization programs causing a decline in death rate by 73% and 80% respectively. According to a study with current success rate diarrhea related deaths can be virtually eliminated by 2030. Another successful program is “End Polio” program which eradicated polio from world except from Pakistan and Afghanistan [4][6]. This termination of funds to WHO can waste all previous efforts in developing countries. On the other hand despite of all efforts still 19.4 million children did not received prescribed dose of vaccines. Data analysis revealed among these  60% of children belong to 10 developing countries namely Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Viet Nam [4]. These countries mainly rely on foreign funding and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) for child health care programs. According to WHO immunization coverage report updated on 6 December 2019 globally 100% results were not achieved Fig 1. The immunization rate was low in developing counties with high population density and poor health care facilities. People are already battling to fulfill basic necessities like food, clean drinking water and shelter [7]. COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the economies of these counties. As a result these counties will not be able to support vaccination programs at their own. WHO has an already established network in these regions, any efforts from scratch will waste lots of time and eventually cost millions of lives. Now a heavy responsibility lies on the shoulders of world leaders to foresee this up-coming crisis and take appropriate measures. Timely management of funds by convincing USA government or by alternative funding sources can save work of decades done by global community through WHO in saving lives in developing countries.


Author(s):  
Rendani Tshifhumulo ◽  
Faith F. Musvipwa ◽  
Tshimangadzo Justice Makhanikhe ◽  
Livhuwani Daphney Tshikukuvhe

This chapter interrogates the current teaching and learning strategies in South African higher institutions of learning in relation to the negligence of cultural aspects. For many years now, the general population in South Africa agitated for the amendment or annulment of the current education system as a means of restoring the African norms and values. The suspension and/or expulsion of some African students from schools due to their adherence to African values is a vivid example of how the education system undermines African cultures and traditions. The chapter deliberated on story telling as one of the methods that is relevant for Indigenous Knowledge Systems. On the central argument of the chapter the authors conversed on colonialisation and its impact on education in South Africa. OBE and the revised national curriculum statement and the crises in South African education system are discussed. The chapter ends by interrogating the possibility of using African Languages in the school curriculum.


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