Paramedical studies upgraded to higher education

The training and qualifications of nurses, midwives and laboratory technicians will now take place in the higher education sector, following an agreement signed between the ministries responsible for health and vocational education.

From the 2018-19 academic year, the education of nurses, midwives and laboratory technicians will be linked to the Bologna Process of three, five and eight years’ higher education, and to the skills-based approach of the faculty of health sciences, reported the Agence d’Information d’Afrique Centrale (ADIAC).

The faculty’s skills-based approach focuses on tutorials, practical work and supervised on-the-job experience, as recommended by the French Red Cross and PADRHS, an aid project for development of human resources in health financed by the French Development Agency, currently supporting Congo’s reform of paramedical training, reported ADIAC.

The working group of representatives from the Ministry for Technical and Vocational Education, Training and Employment and from the Ministry for Health and Population also recommended providing training for core health workers, such as cleaners, ambulance personnel and stretcher bearers, and improving existing training and opening new training courses, reported ADIAC.

Nicéphore Antoine Thomas Fylla de Saint Eudes, minister for technical and vocational education, training and employment, who opened the working group’s meeting, said: “We need young people, men and women – in short, supportive human capital – to strengthen specialisations in the national economy. It is one of the conditions for promoting a sustainable and inclusive development. This is why the reform of paramedical education is targeting both the quality and quantity of medical personnel.” – Compiled by Jane Marshall

This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.