Humanity, compassion, kindness, and loving care, the true ‘Art of Nursing’, can never be replaced by material objects or machinery.
It is necessary to standardize Myanmar’s nursing and midwifery education to produce qualified nurses and midwives comparable with those of South-East Asian countries, said President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing at the inauguration of the Institute of Nursing (Nay Pyi Taw) yesterday morning.
The President officially inaugurated the Institute of Nursing in Nay Pyi Taw alongside several regional and state institutes.
In his opening speech, the President stated that opportunities will be available for nurses to pursue step-by-step higher education up to the doctoral level in nursing at universities both within and outside the country. Therefore, nursing training schools have been upgraded into nursing institutes as they are now to promote the development of nursing education.
He noted that the remaining 27 nursing, midwifery, and allied training schools have also been upgraded in their organizational structure, designated as a priority within the new government’s first 100-day plan. In the 2026-2027 academic year, the President revealed that the institutes will admit 2,900 trainees for the three-year nursing-midwifery diploma course and 1,400 for the two-year comprehensive midwifery diploma course.
The President underlined that as the future healthcare system is transforming into a technology-based system, students need to strive to improve their research skills, digital technology capabilities, ability to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and English language proficiency.
The President urged the nurses not to forget their humanity, loving care, compassion and kindness as “The Art of Nursing,” which cannot be replaced by any other material objects or machinery. They have to take pride in, respect and value this noble profession.
With regard to outstanding nurses, he recounted that the four nurses and midwives from Myanmar who received the internationally recognized Florence Nightingale Award were conferred the Wunna Kyaw Htin title in 2023, while the President of the Myanmar Nurse and Midwife Council was awarded the Theikpa Kyaw Swa title in 2025.
As honouring the nurses and midwives, the President highlighted that the State also takes pride in the outstanding dedication and sacrifices of nurses and midwives who, whenever the country faced pandemics, natural disasters and emergencies, served as frontline responders, putting aside their own safety and difficulties to protect and care for the lives and health of the people.
The President and dignitaries watched a video clip on the opening of institutes of nursing.
President U Min Aung Hlaing, Vice-President U Nyo Saw and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo sprinkled scented water on the plaque at the lecture hall of the Institute of Nursing (Nay Pyi Taw).
The President inspected the library, the computer pool, the lecture hall, the discussion room and the simulator training room and gave necessary guidance to the Union Minister for Health and officials.
The Ministry of Health is currently providing education and training at five medical universities. In 2023, the Faculty of Medicine was established at Naypyitaw State Academy. Therefore, there are now 17 universities, comprising six medical universities and 11 health-related universities.
Since 1962, a total of 45,245 nursing midwifery diploma holders and 42,524 midwives have faithfully served as public servants, carrying out their responsibilities in delivering healthcare services to the people. — MNA/TTA
