Private Nurses Benefit Training

Kigali, 18-Nov-2013:For 8 working days, starting Monday November 18, 2013 private nurses drawn from clinics, dispensaries, across country are attending a hands-on training at Hill Top Hotel, Remera (Kigali) about “Jadelle a long-term family planning method on the market. The training is the second of its kind this year, just hardly after a month.

 Jean Pierre Nsenga, the MCH/FP Social Marketing Manager at SFH reports that the previous training on family planning “with specific emphasis on Jadelle method” was held in October.

This is an ongoing project funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through PSI (Population Services International). SFH implements the project which started in July this year and is expected to end in January 2014. As Jean Pierre explains, those trained last month are part of the bigger lot (of over 60 private nurses) that have benefited from the training since the project began. “Last month it was a refresher course aimed at verifying on how well the previous trainees are fairing on the “Jadelle” method. .

Jadelle is an implant system that provides effective, long-acting (for 5-years), reversible contraception for women. Two thin, flexible rods made of silicone tubing and filled with levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin, are inserted just under the skin of a woman’s upper, inner arm in a minor surgical procedure.
In the objective of promoting long term method in the private sector only trained private nursesare certified by Ministry of Health and allowed to offer this service.

In the training, 5 days are for theory and three days are for practical; where trainees, using a demonstrational private health clinic, are evaluated on how well they have mastered the method.
A total of 20 trainees are benefiting from the training going on at Hilltop.

The Ministry of Health, the leading partner in the project, apart from certifying the trainees, also provides technical support like conduct training—as it is part of the official national Family Planning trainers. Mr Thomas Nsengiyumva, the In Charge of family planning at the Ministry of Health is supervising the training.

Ms Mutuyimana Bellancine is one of the participants. She is a family planning officer at Karongi Health Centre, Karongi District, Ruganda Sector. She says that the training will equip them with knowledge and expertise necessary to serve their Family Planning clients. “With the training, we will not only be able to apply Jadelle method well but also shall be in position to respond to queries as raised by our clients about this family planning method”.

For Etienne Nsereko, a private Family Planning Expert and Trainer, also participating in the training, observes that: “the Training is a clear indication that the Ministry is keen about bringing private medical practitioners on board as it rolls out Government Policy, Strategy and Programs. This is indeed commendable and will ensure improved efficiency and sustainability”.