Will opening doors for males in midwifery improve performance?

Of recent, there is a growing trend of having more males venturing into the reproductive, maternal newborn child, and adolescent healthcare sector at educational higher levels.

On that background, the ministry of Education and Sports is contemplating opening doors to males in midwifery at diploma and certificate levels as a way of boosting the profession, writes YUDAYA NANGONZI.

Nursing and midwifery are traditionally female-dominated fields. Currently in Uganda, males are not eligible to train in midwifery programs unless one is studying at bachelor’s or master’s levels. The commissioner in charge of Health Education and Training at the education ministry, Dr Safina Kisu Museene, said the ministry is cognizant of the evolving demands in midwifery and the positive impact of male gynaecologists in the health sector.

“The debate to open midwifery for males at lower levels has been on and we are studying it. Culturally, the midwifery program was designed for females in Uganda because we believed that women are comfortable being attended to by fellow women in reproductive issues,” Museene said.

She added: “However, we are now slowly opening up but this in a gradual process. Currently, we train males in midwifery at the bachelor’s level at Lira University. We are studying all the proposals for diploma and certificate levels for males because they are already doing an amazing job in the nursing field.”

Museene made the remarks during the release of the December 2022 semester examination results of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) held at the Office of the President Conference hall in Kampala last week. The 34th series of examinations were conducted from December 5 to 16 from 120 licensed institutions.

In 2018, the state minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, ordered the Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council to initiate discussions on the low enrolment of males in the nursing and midwifery programs despite their dire needs in the health institutions. Muyingo then attributed the low numbers to the existing ban on males from undertaking midwifery courses at lower levels unlike in other East African countries. He said this ban was “unfair, unacceptable, and contradicts the Ugandan constitution”.

While presenting the results, the UNMEB executive secretary, Hellen Mukakarisa Kataratambi, noted an increment in male candidates from 10,186 in 2021 to 14,714 in 2022. However, females still dominate most programs and candidature at 38,826 (72.5%).

GENERAL PERFORMANCE

Of the 53,540 registered candidates, 42,705 were continuing students while 10,835 [484 diplomas and 10,351 certificate candidates] were finalists. Mukakarisa said there was improved performance of candidates for both diploma and certificate programs.

She cited adherence to UNMEB exam guidelines by institutions, continuous assessment, and emphasis on the compulsory placement of trainees in clinical areas as the probable reasons for the better performance compared to the previous year.

Out of the 484 diploma candidates, seven passed at distinction, 308 at credit, and 113 at pass levels. Forty-nine candidates were upgraded while seven missed the exams.

At the certificate level, at least 9518 passed the examinations, 805 were ungraded and 28 were absent. Of the successful certificate candidates, 428 assed at distinction level, 7,826 at credit level, and 1,264 at pass level. For continuing students, some 38,814 passed their examinations and progressed to the subsequent semesters while 3,544 were ungraded.

Mukakarisa said these students will progress to the next level but re-sit the failed papers when next offered. However, those who failed three or more papers and 347 absentee candidates will repeat the entire semester.

“We got eight certificate candidates who missed examinations because they could not raise school fees. This is becoming a perennial challenge for students to go up to the first year and drop out along the way. We request the ministry to look into scholarship opportunities for such prospective nurses and midwives,” Mukakarisa said.

WITHHELD RESULTS

This year, the board withheld the results of three candidates from three institutions over examination malpractice. One diploma candidate from Butabika School of Psychiatric Nursing and another certificate candidate from Kyetume School of Nursing and Midwifery were found with unauthorized materials in the examination room.

UNMEB provided a fair hearing to the candidates and recommended that the results of the paper be nullified. A final semester candidate from Kampala International University – Western campus undertaking a certificate in Comprehensive Nursing presented a fraudulent practical logbook to the board.

Mukakarisa said that upon granting the candidate a fair hearing, further guidance was sought from the police forensic department which led to the recommendation for cancellation and nullification of the results.

“This candidate is further recommended for dismissal or discontinuation from the program,” she said.

In a speech read on her behalf by the state minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, the Education minister, Janet Museveni, approved all the board’s recommendations.

“This [exam malpractice] stands against the virtues which this profession and the education sector stand for. We must uphold standards and ensure strict compliance to set examination regulations. I, therefore, approve the board’s resolution to withhold, cancel, and nullify the results of those implicated in this practice,” Museveni said.

She cautioned institutions against compromising the training standards by having adequate tutors, materials, and equipment.

Benefits of male nurses, midwives

There are several benefits of having males in the nursing and midwifery sectors:

Diverse Perspectives: Males bring a unique perspective to the nursing and midwifery profession, which can help to diversify the workforce and enhance patient care. Their presence can also help to challenge gender stereotypes in healthcare.

Improved Patient Care: With more males in nursing and midwifery, patients may feel more comfortable and confident in their healthcare providers. This can lead to improved patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.

Career Opportunities: Nursing and midwifery can offer rewarding and fulfilling careers for males who may not have considered healthcare as a profession. The demand for healthcare professionals is growing, and the nursing and midwifery professions can offer opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Increased Gender Equality: Encouraging more males to pursue nursing and midwifery can help to break down gender barriers in healthcare and promote gender equality. It can also help to reduce gender stereotypes and biases in the profession.

Enhanced Teamwork: Male nurses and midwives can work effectively with their female colleagues, contributing to a cohesive team approach to patient care.

nangonzi@observer.ug