The Chairperson of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), Christine Nimwesiga, has called on health training institutions to focus on equipping learners with skills and instilling ethical practices.
Speaking at the 10th graduation ceremony of St. Francis School of Health Sciences in Namataba, Mukono District, Nimwesiga emphasized the importance of a well-trained and ethical healthcare workforce.
Delivering her message under the theme “Strengthening Healthcare Service Delivery through Training for the Betterment of Humanity,” Nimwesiga highlighted the critical role education plays in building resilient healthcare systems.
She stressed that students’ skills, ethics, and dedication directly impact the quality of care patients receive.
“Training institutions should go beyond book knowledge. Graduates must have the practical skills, and the ethics needed to serve their communities effectively,” she said.
“Rigorous training should ensure healthcare professionals are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the compassion and resilience necessary to tackle complex healthcare challenges,” she added.
Nimwesiga also reminded the graduates that success in their careers would depend on their ability to remain compassionate and resilient when faced with challenging situations.
“You will encounter complex cases where all your senses and physical abilities will be tested. This is what we, as a regulatory body, insist on in healthcare training,” she stressed, urging tutors to instill these values in their students.
Reverend Professor John Chrysostom Maviiri, the guest of honor, echoed similar sentiments during the event. Leading the graduation mass, he urged graduates to uphold ethics and integrity as they embark on their careers.
“Always put humanity first. Avoid extortion, give clear results, and be patient with clients, especially those who are anxious. Focus on healing lives and put God at the center of everything you do,” he said.
Associate Professor Dr. Rose Nanyonga Clerke, the Vice Chancellor of Clarke International University, also addressed the graduates, encouraging them to embrace leadership in their daily lives.
She noted that leadership goes beyond titles and roles, emphasizing the importance of influencing others positively.
“Your skills will save lives and restore hope, but it is your ability to lead and inspire confidence that will set you apart,” she said, adding that leadership often requires courage and action.
The ceremony saw 363 graduates receive certificates and diplomas from various examination boards, including the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB), Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), and the Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB), as well as internal programs accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.
The Rector of the institution, Peter Bbosa Kiwanuka, praised the graduates for their hard work and commended parents, sponsors, and guardians for their unwavering support.
He revealed that the graduating class comprised 258 females and 105 males, all equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet the demands of the 21st-century healthcare landscape.
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