TESS is launching a new programme to support students who wish to pursue a career in nursing.

The WHO estimates that the world will need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives by the year 2030 for all countries to reach Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and well-being, with the shortage predicted to worsen in many African countries. In Uganda the nurse-patient ratio falls well below the WHO recommended minimum.

We spoke to our students and learnt that many are keen to join the nursing profession, due to the high likelihood of gaining employment on completion of their studies. However many are not able to raise the fees to join this 2.5 year course. For many of the most vulnerable students TESS supports, nursing is seen as a particularly attractive option as it is one quickest and of the most direct routes to a job and earning an income to support themselves.

We have a long track record of supporting students through nursing, midwifery and medicine courses. Amongst TESS graduates, we count a doctor of medicine, nurses specialising the in the treatment and testing for malaria and a nurse working for The Aids Support Organisation.

We hope to support many more young people to gain qualifications that can advance their position in life and help meet the demand for nurses locally.

Donate to our Nursing Programme fund, to help us support more students through nursing programmes. Investing in nurses and midwives is good value for money. The report of the UN High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth concluded that investments in education and job creation in the health and social sectors result in a triple return of improved health outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth.

WHO source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursing-and-midwifery