| Angau Hospital Lae Morobe |
|
|
The Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea is a newly establishing
University in the Morobe Province. It is working closely with the University
of Queensland on a signature Nursing Degree Program. In careful
consultation with the PNG National Department of Health this degree program will be designed to better serve the people of
Papua New Guinea. This programme will meet the dire rural and urban health issues in PNG and increase the output of trained
health practitioners suited for serving the nation with medical services in the near future and beyond. The Program
will concentrate on many of our health concerns such as the high infant and maternal mortality rates, HIV-Aids, Malaria, Tuberculosis,
and Typhoid. Our people’s overall health and welfare will certainly benefit from this initiative.
The University
of Queensland [School of Nursing Midwifery] through the Queensland Brain Institute
[QBI] has agreed to partner with the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea to develop a PNG-relevant Bachelor of Nursing
[BN] degree programme. Dr. Perry Bartlett, the Director of The Queensland Brain Institute and a Foundation Professor
of Molecular and Neurosciences at the University of Queensland has indicated that the institute will provide technical and
financial support to move this program forward. The University of Queensland will graciously gift the people of Papua New
Guinea with some of the needed funding to develop this Nursing Degree Program and its curriculum. However additional funding
sources such as could be supplied by Aus-Aid is needed to initiate this program.
An initial report was prepared
under the auspices of the QBI, completed by Dr. Anthony G. Tuckett from the University of Queensland School of Nursing &
Midwifery in April 2009. To move forward with the reports recommendations the University of Queensland dispatched a
team of experts in March of this year to ascertain the requirements and local needs in Papua New Guinea, consult with the
PNG Department of Public Health, and identify the critical needs for rural and urban health care. The University of Queensland
announced they would develop an appropriate nursing curriculum with substantial input from Papua New Guinean medical practitioners
who would assist in curriculum development appropriately suited to PNG needs and conditions. The curriculum will be designed
to best cater for the requirements of PNG as advised by Health Department officials each step of the way as the program comes
to fruition.
Dr. Catherine Turner the Head of the School of Nursing-Midwifery from the University of Queensland
[UQ] communicated with LUPNG detailed arrangements to provide an office, salary, and travel expenses for a registered nurse
teacher to serve as a professional ‘curriculum designer’ who will be based at UQ within the Nursing School. This
coordinator will liaise with relevant PNG staff to upgrade the pre-existing three-year Diploma in Nursing and consult during
the curriculum development phase to ensure that PNG nurses are able to implement the degree.
The curriculum development
and related funding is an important and formidable gift to the people of PNG towards increasing the standard of life throughout
the nation by the University of Queensland. With sufficient start-up funding, work is expected to commence shortly and is
projected to be completed within two years.
The Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea looks forward to this exciting
development by providing this new educational and health service for the community and the nation. This partnership with the
University of Queensland will make a significant difference in the overall progress and timely delivery of a quality-nursing
programme for Papua New Guinea.
|
