Graduation of Second Specialist Associate Paediatric Oncology Nursing Programme in Ghana
After a successful programme in 2021, we are delighted to announce the graduation of 12 nurses from the second specialist Associate Paediatric Oncology Nursing Programme in Ghana. With funding from the UBS Optimus Foundation and training delivered by the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, the programme supports the early diagnosis of children with cancer, followed by evidence-based therapy and supportive care.
Organised by a Senior Clinical Coordinator Mavis Boahemaa Obuoh-Evans of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, the programme facilitated the introduction of specialist paediatric oncology nurses to build the skills and expertise needed in their work. Nurses learnt to develop their nursing practice through direct service development, lead nursing research, and guide education and training.
In the training programme, there were both Modules and Practicum requirements, and residents undertook nursing research to improve policy and practice in paediatric oncology care.
The graduating cohort
Following the graduation of the first cohort of paediatric oncology nurses in 2021, the second round of the programme saw the graduation of 12 paediatric oncology nurses brought in from hospitals throughout Ghana. Nurses from the following childhood cancer treatment centres were trained; Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), Agogo Presbyterian Hospital (APH), Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH) and Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). The second cohort of paediatric oncology nurses completed and graduated from the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives in 2022.
After the programme, I realised I can take up leadership roles in a multidiscipline team. That alone has enhanced my role in the clinical setting and now I work with greater understanding and confidence
Thank you to the team at World Child Cancer for their support and for introducing the training programme to Ghana. We must continue training and encouraging more nurses into the paediatric oncology speciality. Building the skills of nurses will make our work easier, and will improve the survival rates of patients
Moving Forward
World Child Cancer hopes that by continuing to support training programmes for healthcare workers in paediatric oncology, we can improve treatment and help save the lives of children with cancer in Ghana’s communities.
Hearing the news that your child has cancer is devastating. With your help, World Child Cancer is able to provide financial and emotional support to children and their families at diagnosis and beyond, to limit the damage cancer causes.
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