16 September

Four private nurse training schools will soon be opened to meet the country's requirements for trained nurses and midwives, said Daw Nwe Nwe Khin, the chair of the Myanmar Nursing and Midwifery Council.

“At present, over 10,000 nurses and 15,000 midwives are serving in Myanmar. About 60,000 health workers — nurses and midwives — are required. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Sports increased the number of health worker posts to 3,600 in 2018 from 1,800 in 2017. This year, the Ministry is planning to recruit 3,600 health workers. 

Increasing the number of posts will help plug the shortage of nurses and midwives in three or four years. To meet the staffing requirements, a plan to open four private schools is in progress,” said Daw Nwe Nwe Khin.

She made the remarks at the 1st anniversary meeting of the nursing and midwifery council, held at the University of Nursing Yangon.

The Pinlon Group of Hospitals, Sayadaw Ashin Sandadika's Shwe Parmai Monastery, Victoria school, and the Mandalay group of private hospitals are planning to open private nursing and related training schools.

At present, the council has reviewed the curriculum and quality of teachers for private schools. The plan will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Sports.

There are 50 state-run nursing and related training schools and two nursing universities in the country. However, the schools produce only a small number of nurses and midwives, which has prompted the private sector to open training schools. —Myint Maung (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)