Developing Midwife Program
Bangladesh has been identified by WHO as one of the 57 crisis countries facing a crisis in the supply of human resource for health (HRH). The massive under-supply of qualified health professionals is particularly severe in the area of nursing and midwifery. To accelerate the production of midwives in the country, in January 2013, a three years direct entry Diploma in Midwifery Programme was introduced by the Government of Bangladesh under the 2011-2016 Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Development Programme (HPNSDP). The most significant private sector initiative has been from BRACU which introduced a three years direct entry Diploma in Midwifery course in 2013 in partnership with 6 other NGOs targeted at vulnerable students from hard to reach areas and provided free of cost to the students, funding DFID through BRAC University.
Shimantik has also started the same course in Sylhet on a fee-paying basis. From the beginning of 1st quarter we have completed infrastructure, accommodation, skill lab, library, computer lab, staff recruitment, Faculty development training, dining and others necessary activities. In the 2nd quarter we have completed 1st batch students’ enrolment procedure including written test, viva exam and final selection of candidate. 1st Batch students of Shimantik Academic Site came to dormitory on 2nd week of January 2013 accordingly and orientation class was held on 17 January 2013. The first class started from 18 January 2013 and their graduation completed by Dec, 2015. We have enrolled 2nd batch-b January, 2015 and they will be completing their graduation by Dec, 2017. 3rd batch students were enrolled in January, 2016 and they will complete their graduation by Dec, 2018.