Abesim: The Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI) has called on the government to expedite action for the release of grants to Health Training Institutions (HTIs) under the 'No-Stress Fees' Policy. Miss Margaret Mary Alacoque, the President of COHHETI, expressed concerns that prolonged delays in releasing the grant could potentially compromise academic and operational progress in the beneficiary health training institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Alacoque made this appeal during the opening session of the 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of COHHETI, currently taking place at Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region. The seven-day AGM focuses on 'Transforming health training for a resilient workforce: specialisation, innovation and quality assurance.'
She highlighted that although the academic calendar was already midway through the semester, no institution had received the promised fees from the government. Ms. Alacoque emphasized the need for HTIs to produce a labor force capable of addressing modern challenges, including emerging diseases and the demand for specialized skills.
Ms. Alacoque advocated for the provision of high-fidelity simulation skill laboratories in HTIs to offer students practical experience before real clinical practice. She urged training institutions to emulate the excellent benchmark set by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). Additionally, she stressed the need for smart classrooms to ensure a seamless transition of STEM graduates into modern health training.
She recommended the construction of 'H-Blocks' for HTIs, similar to the E-Blocks built for Senior High Schools, to meet accreditation and training standards. Furthermore, Ms. Alacoque called for the upgrade of Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges into degree-awarding institutions, as announced by the government, advocating for a start-and-improve approach.
Expressing concern over the absence of a defined Scheme of Service in the sector, Ms. Alacoque highlighted how this demotivated staff and created leadership instability, citing instances where principals were asked to hand over within a week without consultation.
She also noted that communication from the Ministry of Health indicated that about 13 countries have shown interest in recruiting specialist nurses from Ghana, underscoring the need for quality training and conducive learning environments. Ms. Alacoque criticized the practice of hospitals charging students for clinical placements, warning that inadequate practice could not be blamed on students' poor performance post-graduation.
She appealed to the Ministry of Health to allow HTIs to retain proceeds from the sale of admission forms to enhance their Internally Generated Funds, as practiced in other tertiary institutions. Concluding her address, Ms. Alacoque said the future of health training in the country hinged on motivation, innovation, and specialization, essential for building a resilient workforce to meet both local and global needs.
