Mauritius: The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, officially launched, yesterday at La Vigie, the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme for nurses and midwives, which is organised by the Nursing Council of Mauritius.
The Chairperson of the Nursing Council of Mauritius, Dr Dhunraj Foolchand, and other personalities were present at the launching ceremony.
In his address, Minister Jagutpal highlighted that CPD has existed for Medical Health Officers, including dentists, since 2016 in Mauritius and is now being introduced for the Nursing staff. CPD, he stated, is essential for nurses so as to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in healthcare as medical research is rapidly evolving. As such, it is critical for nurses to remain informed of the latest trends, techniques, and treatments in order to provide the best care to their patients, he observed.
Dr Jagutpal underlined that CPD will help nurses to improve the quality of care they deliver and enhance their professional competency. By participating in the CPD programme, he pointed out; nurses will learn new skills, acquire new knowledge, and adopt new practices that improve their overall competency and will be better equipped to provide quality patient care.
Furthermore, the Health Minister emphasised that the programme will also contribute to promoting the personal and professional development of nurses. He added that nurses who engage in CPD develop a growth mindset, which enables them to embrace change and learn from their experiences.
The Minister moreover remarked that training and specialisation are of paramount importance for achieving a high standard of service delivery in the healthcare sector.
As for Dr Foolchand, he underscored that the CPD is the ideal means for nurses and midwifes to continuously update their skills and knowledge. He reminded us that the speed at which the medical sector evolves requires its personnel to constantly improve and update their skills so as to offer adequate and quality service to patients.
It is recalled that, to date, there are an estimated 4,500 nursing staff in the Public Health Sector and about 500 in the Private Health Sector. There are presently 150 new recruitsM enrolled in the Diploma in Nursing Course at the Central Nursing School, who will be available for both private and public sectors in the coming years.