Student nurses schooled on Human Rights

Bolgatanga (UE), Aug 24, GNA - Sixty-six student nurses, who participated in a basic human rights course for health professionals at the Bolgatanga Nurses Training School (NTCS), graduated on Friday.

At the graduation ceremony, Mr Samuel Bosompem, Deputy Director of Public Education, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAG), called on the students to live by the principles of human rights and apply them in the daily dealings with their clients.

He said rights of human beings were fundamental and urged them to respect and give their patients basic comfort.

He stated that complaints of abuses by health professionals towards the healthcare needs of patients had come up over the years which included acts and omissions of impatience, saying with knowledge in basic human rights, nurses would appreciate the need to handle their patients well.

He indicated that CHRAG was piloting the Basic Human Rights Course for nurses training schools in four regions namely Central, Western, Brong Ahafo and Upper East Regions, to equip trainees with human rights knowledge to enable them appreciate the rights of patients, empower them to promote and protect the rights and freedoms of patients as well as the vulnerable in society.

He said the course included infusing the culture of respect for fundamental human rights and freedom amongst trainees, enhancing service delivery and reducing human rights abuses with health facilities.

He said since the inception of the programme in 2011, CHRAG had trained 1,335 nurses from the four institutions.

Mr Musah MacMoomen, Principal of NTCS, drummed home the need for nurses to be primarily advocates for patience.

He said the human rights programme run by CHRAG was relevant to the values of the nursing profession and added that nurses, who were not well informed, turned to repeat errors of doctors and their superiors.

Mr Kenneth Dabayeri, Upper East Regional Director of GHRAG, urged the students to stand up for the rights of their patients and continue to update their knowledge on human rights.

He thanked the principal and students for their active participation in the 12 week-course and hoped there would be more opportunity for the expansion of the programme and engagement of the students.

Miss Adelide Boampomaa Dapaa, a student and Samuel Anea, course prefect outlined the importance of the course and said it was beneficial to their work.

GNA