Abesim: Professor Florence Naab, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, has emphasized the urgent need for transformation in the nation’s health training institutions to build a resilient workforce that can meet the emerging health needs of the population.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Naab highlighted that with the advent of novel diseases, advancements in technology, and evolving patient expectations, there is a pressing need to enhance the quality of health personnel in the country. She made these remarks during the 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI), taking place at Abesim, near Sunyani. Prof Naab stressed that transformation should begin in educational settings, focusing on rethinking and revamping teaching methods to create curricula that are competency-based, technology-driven, and in alignment with contemporary healthcare demands.
The meeting, themed ‘Transforming health training for a resilient workforce: specialization, innovation and quality assurance’, serves as a call to action for health training institutions to adapt to the digital revolution which is already influencing healthcare delivery. Prof Naab underscored that successful transformation in the health sector is heavily reliant on the development of a strong faculty, emphasizing the importance of competent, creative, and dedicated educators.
Further, she pointed out the necessity for health training institutions to prioritize research and innovation, as knowledge alone is no longer adequate in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Prof Naab urged these institutions to produce practitioners capable of critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.
Prof Naab concluded by asserting that no transformation is complete without robust quality assurance systems to build public trust in institutions, educators, and healthcare professionals. She also highlighted the importance of specialization, stating that as diseases grow more complex and technologies advance, practitioners must move beyond general practice to gain deeper expertise and leadership in their fields.