Caption: Nauru Minister for Health and Medical Services, Honourable Valdon Dowiyogo M.P and the FNU Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian Rouse at the MOU signing on Nasinu Campus.Photo: SUPPLIED.
The Fiji National University will set-up a medical satellite centre in Nauru as part of its continued support in the training and development of Health and Human Resource on the island.
The major announcement was made today by FNU Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian Rouse during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nauru Ministry of Health on Nasinu Campus.
“We aim to setup a Satellite Center for FNU in Nauru and to assist in further development especially in the formulation of health and nursing policies and the implementation of strategic direction
for the provision of Health Services,” said Professor Rouse. Professor Rouse is excited about the partnership and said FNU is very happy to be signing the MOU.
“As a University we are very keen on what we can do to improve human resources and in many countries we are very keen to work with local institutions, communities, colleges or technical schools where we can help,” he said.
The MOU will pave the way for the up-skilling and training of Nauru Health professionals and Public Health Nurses in their area of needs. As such, there are plans on the implementation of the in-country training on Post Basic Certificate Public Health Nursing (PBCPHN) for Public Health Nurses.
Nauru Minister for Health, Honourable Valdon Dowiyogo said the agreement will ensure health professionals of Nauru are well trained and better prepared for the work they do.
“The signing of the MOU today will further extend the existing relations we have with FNU and Fiji. There is a great need for training in our health sector and we are thankful to FNU for the opportunity to partner with us in training our health professionals,” said Honourable Dowiyogo.
Minister Dowiyogo said the MOU will strengthen the health ministry as professionals will be getting the training they need which will be better utilise in community outreach programs.
“We have been sending most of our patients to Fiji for medical treatment, so with the signing of the MOU it’s another step of hope for our medical sector; especially our nurses to give them that incentive to train and learn more for the betterment of our people,” said Honourable Dowiyogo.
Also present at the signing was Naurus Principal Training Officer (PTO), Vania Scotty and she said the nurses in Nauru are ‘hungry for education.’
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