N&MC Evaluates UEW Hospital for Training and Examination Accreditation

Addressing management and staff during the visit, Ms. Jacqueline Incoom, a Principal Nursing Officer at the Council, explained that the assessment followed a formal request from the University seeking recognition of its hospital for training and practical licensing examinations.

She noted that although the visit was delayed due to the Council’s tight schedule covering multiple facilities across the country, the team considered it necessary to undertake a thorough review to ensure the hospital receives the appropriate legal backing if accredited.

“We have come in response to your invitation to assess the facility for the training of nurses and midwives, as well as for licensing practical examinations. When accredited, the hospital will have the confidence and legal recognition required to support student nurses and midwives who train here,” she stated.

Ms. Jacqueline Incoom outlined the thematic areas guiding the assessment, noting that the team would evaluate the hospital’s human resource capacity, the professional licensing status of nurses and midwives, equipment and logistics, the scope of services and infection prevention and control systems. She emphasised that infection prevention remains a critical component in determining readiness for accreditation.

The team also examined whether the facility holds the necessary operational licence from the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) and the validity of practising licences for health professionals working at the hospital.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr. John Kanyiri Yamba, the Director of University Health Services, expressed appreciation to the Council for honouring the University’s request despite its demanding national itinerary. He assured the team of management’s full cooperation throughout the exercise.

“At least from what you have seen and said, I am confident we will make meaningful progress. We are ready to support you with all the documentation and access you require for a smooth assessment,” he remarked, adding that relevant officers would be on hand to assist the team during both the documentation review and facility inspection.

Prof. Fred Yao Gbagbo, the Ag. Dean of the Faculty of Health, Allied Sciences and Home Economics Education, who has extensive experience in clinical quality assurance and hospital accreditation processes, described the visit as a significant milestone in the University’s quest to strengthen practical training for its health sciences students.

He noted that the UEW Hospital’s integration of patient care, teaching and research positions it uniquely as a potential centre for high-quality clinical training. According to him, the facility offers a dynamic and diverse environment that can enhance the competencies of nursing and midwifery students while contributing to improved healthcare delivery.

“With structured clinical governance systems, continuous quality assurance measures and adherence to documentation standards, the hospital is well placed to support both training and examination processes,” he emphasised.

Another member of the Council’s delegation, Ms. Cindy Tetteh-Ocloo, commended the University for the impressive hospital infrastructure and overall set-up. However, she encouraged management to strengthen its nursing and midwifery human resource capacity to meet the full requirements for accreditation.

“We are impressed with the edifice and the entire arrangement, but we encourage the Directorate to beef up the nursing and midwifery staff strength in readiness for accreditation as a training and examination centre,” she advised.

If successful, the accreditation will enable the UEW Hospital to formally host clinical training sessions and practical licensing examinations for student nurses and midwives, further consolidating the University’s commitment to producing competent health professionals.

The visit underscores UEW’s broader strategic effort to align its health training programmes with national regulatory standards while expanding opportunities for hands-on clinical education within its own healthcare facility.