FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Betsy Edwards
BEdwards@ChildFund.org
(804)756-2722
ChildFund, in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, launches nurse-training
program for Zambian youth
Innovative $7.6 million e-learning program will train
6,000 young people to become nurses and midwives and expand capacity of nursing
schools in Zambia
RICHMOND, Va. – Aug. 28, 2014 – 6,000 Zambian
youth will receive nursing training through an e-learning program developed by ChildFund
International, a global child development and protection organization, and the African
Medical and Research Foundation(AMREF),
in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. The Zambia Nurse and Life Skills
Training Program will offer Zambian youth the opportunity to train in the field
of nursing through e-learning and help address the shortage of trained health
professionals in the country.
Currently,
Zambia does not have enough human resources to meet health care demands. At present, the nurse population ratio stands
at 1 nurse for every 1,500 people, which is far lower than the World Health Organization’s
recommended nurse-to-population
ratio of 1 to 700. The
major cause for the shortage is the limited capacity of nursing schools that
can train students to meet the growing health care needs of the general
population.
Within five years, the project is expected to train 6,000 young
people as nurses and midwives, and expand the capacity of nursing schools in
Zambia. Additionally, 1,631
financially disadvantaged young people will have access to full and partial
scholarships.
“We want to
tap into the potential that is inherent in young people – the energy, the
curiosity and exploration,” said Doras Chirwa, program director with ChildFund
Zambia. “I think the use of e-learning provides a fantastic platform to reach
more youth at any time with lower costs, and it facilitates self-learning.”
The e-learning
component will allow nursing and midwife training schools in Zambia to reach
more students through technology and will integrate a life skills curriculum
that will give students the interpersonal skills needed for the workplace. Students
will be able to access study materials and complete assignments at e-learning
centers or at home.
“We
are excited to partner with ChildFund on this innovative program that will help
address some of the human resource challenges faced by the health care system
in Zambia,” said Deepali Khanna, director of youth learning at The MasterCard
Foundation. “Through the use of technology, the e-learning model has the
potential to reach disadvantaged young people, particularly young women, so
they can gain the skills they need to become nurses and midwives.”
In June 2014, the program introduced the first intake of 131 student nurses –
72 percent of whom are female – into the newly
designed e-learning track.
Maureen Bwalya, a 19-year-old
who lost both her parents when she was a child, is one of the first students
enrolled in the e-learning program and is a recipient of a partial scholarship. With a limited income, Bwalya is
excited about the prospect of a brighter future.
“Thank you so much for awarding me
with this scholarship,” Bwalya says. “I am very grateful. The scholarship that
you have given me will help me a lot. I promise to work hard and not disappoint.”
As valued stakeholders integral to the development and adoption of this
program, ChildFund and AMREF engage and work alongside colleagues with the
Ministry of Health (MOH) and General Nursing Council (GNC) to increase the
number of students enrolled in health training institutions in Zambia.
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About ChildFund
ChildFund International is a global child
development and protection agency serving more than 18.1 million children and
family members in 30 countries. For 75 years, we have helped the world's
deprived, excluded and vulnerable children survive and thrive to reach their
full potential and become leaders of enduring change. As a member of ChildFund
Alliance, we create supportive environments in which children can flourish. For
more information about ChildFund visit www.ChildFund.org.
About
The MasterCard Foundation
The
MasterCard Foundation is an independent, global organization based in Toronto,
Canada, with more than $9 billion in assets. Through collaboration with partner
organizations in 46 countries, it is creating opportunities for all people to
learn and prosper. The Foundation’s programs promote financial inclusion and
advance youth learning, mostly in Africa. Established in 2006 through the
generosity of MasterCard Worldwide when it became a public company, the
Foundation is a separate and independent entity. The policies, operations
and funding decisions of the Foundation are determined by its own Board of Directors
and President and CEO. For more information on the Foundation, please
visit www.mastercardfdn.org.