The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union has urged the government to recruit 24,000 additional nurses to close a widening staffing gap that is overwhelming health workers and driving some out of the profession.
The call was made by UNMU Vice President Ambrose Ocen during celebrations to mark Nurses and Midwives Day for health facilities under Gulu Archdiocese, held at St Joseph Kitgum.
The event brought together nurses and midwives from St Joseph Hospital Kitgum, Dr Ambrozoli Hospital Kalongo, St Mary’s Lacor Hospital, St Peter and Paul Padibe in Lamwo, and Aber Hospital in Oyam District, among others.
Ocen says Uganda’s nurse-to-patient ratio has deteriorated to more than 1:100 in many facilities.
The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 1 nurse for every 25 patients.
Ocen notes that the heavy workload is contributing to fatigue, errors, and low morale among staff.
Ocen adds that some nurses are abandoning the profession entirely to seek work in other sectors.
Ministry of Health data from the Human Resource for Health and Annual Health Sector Performance Reports puts the number of nurses currently practising across the country at around 12,000.
Sr Magarate Aryemo, the Kitgum Assistant District Health Officer in charge of maternal health, urges nurses and midwives to maintain love for their work to ensure quality service delivery.
By Denis Opoka
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