A national shortage of midwives is projected to see improvement with the recent graduation of 14 midwifery nurses from the Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education in Labasa. This event formed part of a larger graduation ceremony where a total of 113 student nurses received their degrees, including several from the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery program, which is vital for boosting maternal and newborn care across the nation.
Among those celebrated was Staff Nurse Jokapeci Tuinaosara, who has spent the last decade with the Ministry of Health. She expressed her enthusiasm about joining the midwifery team at Nabouwalu Divisional Hospital and spoke highly of midwives, emphasizing her dedication to serving the community, specifically the women of Bua in maternal and newborn care initiatives.
Fellow graduate Nellie Masioliva also shared her experiences, highlighting the hurdles she overcame during her studies, motivated by her desire to care for mothers and their newborns. The determination shown by these graduates indicates a positive shift towards improving health services in the region.
Additionally, student nurse Ana Loki was honored for her outstanding academic achievements, receiving a gold medal alongside three special awards, showcasing the high standards maintained by the graduates.
The officials at Sangam College of Nursing noted that the contributions of all 113 graduates, particularly the newly qualified midwives, are expected to significantly mitigate the ongoing shortage of nurses and midwifery specialists. These new professionals are poised to make a meaningful impact, especially in underserved and rural areas, further enhancing maternal and newborn health within their communities.