NML Issue 8
NMLTT
2021
Protect.
Invest.
Together.
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AN INSIGHT INTO THE DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEMES OF SERVICE FOR THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY CADRE By: Ms. Catherine Odeke, National Coordinator, Nursing Now Campaign Uganda (Photo courtesy of Agha Akan) The Government of Uganda recognizes that Human Resources for Health (HRH) are a key input in the provision of high-quality health services. The sector is labor-intensive and therefore the availability of adequate and skilled human resources is central to the achievement of the health sector objectives. Nurses and midwives constitute seventy-three percent (73%) of the skilled health workforce and as such lack of a clear Scheme of Service. This gap can greatly compromise delivery of quality health services and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The health sector reforms, including the decentralization of health services, the proliferation of training institutions across the country preparing Nurses and Midwives at certificate, diploma, bachelors and postgraduate degree levels, regrading of jobs and other policy shifts have all necessitated the need for a cost effective, competent and skilled Nursing and Midwifery workforce, capable of delivering preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and therapeutic health care services at all levels of health care. In view of these reforms the Scheme of Service (SOS) for the nursing and midwifery cadre was revised to provide for a clearly defined career progression, professional advancement, streamlined job descriptions and specifications to attract and retain an adequate supply of nursing and midwifery professionals who are appropriately educated and skilled to meet the health needs of all Ugandans wherever they are deployed. This exercise has addressed the issues that the Health Service Commission (HSC) had earlier raised through their chairperson to a meeting held at the Ministry of Health headquarters (level 111 board room on 24th June 2014), to discuss the implementation of the nursing and midwifery SOS; a meeting which was chaired by the then Hon. Minister of health Dr. Rukahana Rugunda. The process of revising the Nursing and Midwifery SOS was highly consultative through workshops and meetings with Senior officials of Ministry of Health and representatives of several key stakeholders including Line Ministries, Professional Councils, Health Training Institutions, Development Partners, as well as Nursing and Midwifery practitioners and Educators at different levels of the healthcare system. The Ministry of Public Service approved the new revised SOS for nursing and midwifery cadre in November 2017 and passed out a circular for its implementation on 27th December 2017. Submissions on all serving officers 4
