Phebe Paramedical Training Program Graduates Ninety-seven Mid-level Health Care Workers

The Phebe Paramedical Training Program (PTP) in Bong County on Tuesday, July 24, 2017 graduated 97 candidates after completing three years of study. The graduates were awarded Diplomas during the 37th Commencement Exercises of PTP held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on the Phebe Hospital Compound in Suakoko, Bong County.

These 97 trained mid-level health care providers graduated from five of the six medical disciplines including, Professional Midwifery – 33, Nurse Midwifery- 3, Certified Midwifery Bridging- 9, Professional Nursing Program- 34, and Medical Laboratory Technology Programs- 18.

Presenting the graduates to the Medical Director of the Phebe Hospital, the Director of the Phebe Training Programs, Humphrey G. Loweal reflected on the achievements of the institution over the years in developing the Liberia’s health workforce as Pre-Service Institution. He commended the Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) Human Resources for Health (HRH) for making so much difference in the life of the Institution over the past three years and assures that what has been achieved is not lost. In addition to the school’s achievements “PTP is today making another history by graduating for the first time, four females from the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. He added that the institution was also graduating the second Male Nurse Midwife since the program restarted making the number male nurse midwife in Liberia to two”.

Graduate Josephine Jarbo of the Nurse-Midwifery Program was honored for performing the highest number of live deliveries (232) over a period of 18 months while a female graduate from the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, received the most discipline student award.

Serving as Guest Speaker at the 2018 PTP Graduation convocation, the President, Nurses Association of Liberia Mrs. Gloria Stevens challenged the graduates to be passionate about their jobs when providing health care to “your patients”; adding; “make sure their health care needs are met with the highest of standards as you provide quality care according to international standards within a national framework”. She reminded the graduates that now “you are graduating”, you have to strive for your voice to come forth on the table. Inspire others to join the profession by the valuable services you provide your clients and the quality of your work; “we encourage you to be part of your professional association” and promote the work of health care provider throughout Liberia.

Making remarks, the Maternal and Child Survival Program, Country Director, Anne Fiedler spoke about the impact that USAID donations have had on improving the quality of training Mid-level Health care workers. She added that graduating students had the opportunity to have benefited from the improved teaching and learning environment due to the MCSP HRH support.

MCSP HRH assigned Midwifery Mentor also served as Masters of Ceremony and kept the program lively; making sure that everyone felt a part of the graduation exercise.

Several notable attendees gave remarks at the event including; Bong County Health Officer, Representatives of Nursing/Midwifery Institutions, Liberian Nurses Association, Liberian Midwifery Association, Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technologist, and Liberia Board for Nursing and Midwifery. Others who made remarks included; Phebe Board of Trustee, Lutheran Church of Liberia, NGO Partner Representatives.

The Phebe Paramedical Training Program is one of the six Pre-Service Training Institutions being supported by the Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) a global effort to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes funded by USAID as its primary support to the MOH National Health Workforce Program for increasing the quality and quantity of human resources for health.

MCSP works alongside the Government of Liberia and partners to strengthen health services. MCSP/HRH is working to improve health workforce readiness, with a focus on reinforcing entry-level Registered Midwives and Medical Laboratory Technicians’ Pre-Service Education. With USAID support the MCSP HRH Project focuses on improving health workers performance and delivery of services in building a fit-for-purpose productive and motivated health workforce that equitably and optimally delivers quality services by implementing key activities including, development of leadership and management, as well as, faculty and preceptors, curriculum revision and update, improving skills and computer labs, updating library and strengthening clinical site in evidence based practice.