Health experts have asked Ministry of Education to review and upgrade current mental health nursing Curriculum to degree level to address global changes.
Dr Juliet Nakku Chairperson of Butabika School of Psychiatric nursing says curriculum for degree and masters programmes is not available.
” The ministry of education should expedite the process of reviewing mental health training programme to ensure that there is curriculum for bachelor’s in nursing and masters in mental health nursing. The world is ahead of us, “Nakku said while officiating at Butabika School of Psychiatric nursing graduation ceremony on Friday.
She also asked ministry of education to equip the school with ICT labs to ensure online training and quality research takes place.
Nakku asked government to prioritise mental health care among top funded programmes in ministry of health.
She said Uganda us grappling with huge burden of mental health problems that is unattended too especially among children, adolescents and adults.
According to recent ministry of health survey showed that atleast 1 out 3 individuals suffered from mental health issues.
World Health Organisations (WHO) report says mental health contributes 14% of the global disease burden.
State Minister for Higher Education Dr Chrystom Muyingo pledged to discuss school infrastructure funding issues at cabinet level so that there is budgetary allocation in the next financial year 2025/2025.
“Government has made human capital development a priority. Therefore m inistry of education will embarked on curriculum review to keep graduates with necessary skills and knowledge required in the job market to excell,” Muyingo said.
“You have acquired practical skill in health care. Apply the skills to better health care of the public. Embrace courage to tackle human minds and spirits. Prioritise your health and cultivate, attitude of saving life ” Muyingo told graduands.
Harriet Kwagala Butabika school of psychiatric nursing Principal advised graduands to stick to high professional standards of operation.
“Be good ambassadors of Butabika School of psychiatric nursing by serving with passion. Desist from unprofessional acts and register with Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union to benefit from Continuous professional training programmes,” Kwagala said.
Butabika School of Psychiatric Nursing (BSPN) is the only nursing school of its kind in Uganda that trains mental health nurses. Since its inception in 1960, it has trained thousands of nurses who are deployed in government and private sectors.
BSPN was established in 1960 with the intention to train a specialized cadre of mental health nurses at certificate level as it was seen relevant by the Ministry of Health at that time.
However the demanding need for a better skilled and knowledgeable human resource in mental health capable of competing in the outside market has continued to grow and led to the introduction of the post basic course in registered certificate mental health nursing in 1968.
In 1970 a course for direct registered certificate mental health nurses was started to increase on the number of registered mental health nurses with competences to take charge of units and wards.
In 2006 and 2008 the Diploma direct and extension courses in mental health nursing were introduced respectively to allow the advancement in psychiatric nursing, offer a better award and reduce on financial investment and to also allow entry to universities.
The school has produced thousands of graduates since 1960 who are deployed in all parts of the world. This very school has also produced many prominent personalities, in very big positions, ministers, members of parliament and other political leaders, principal, registrars, tutors hospital managers and administrators.
The school has a dedicated functioning Governing Council, teaching and non teaching staff and 12 departmental heads who direct the different departmental activities of the school.
