Context…
The GlenZ Dignity Hospital Campus sits on 0.6860 hectares (1.7 acres) of freehold titled land in Mafibora, Jinja Northern Division, in Jinja City. It is the permanent home of the GlenZ Dignity School of Health Sciences (GDSHS) opening in July 2025 in the new academic year. Mafubira sits at sea level and enjoys a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 23.23ºC (73.81ºF). It receives 293.45 (80.4%) rainy days in a year with 79.43% humidity.
The Training Institute (GDSHS) will provide a much-needed training centre for the grossly understaffed health sector of Uganda, as well as a great supporting arm for the hospital…supplementing the strained human resource. It will benefit surrounding communities, and the whole nation in producing well-trained health professionals to mitigate Uganda’s nurse-patient ratio which stands at approximately 1:11000 respectively which is way below the WHO recommended nurse-patient ratio of 1:1000.
The organisation headed by a board is comprised of local professionals with one expatriate. The school has a governing council of 5 people, all who are Ugandan nationals, representing various aspects of the community. Local people are employed for the construction work, supply of equipment, and teaching staff.
The establishment of the school will impact local business providing employment with the need for food sourced from local producers; uniforms produced by local tailors; unskilled staff (cleaners, gardeners) from local area.
Aim of Project…
To produce well trained health professionals (nurses and midwives initially) to mitigate current severe deficits for the benefit of the wider community in Uganda.
Project Method
Besides the governance level (Board) providing the necessary corporate governance backbone, Ms Glenyce Gers will be an onsite director assisted by Dr. Edward Bazira in overseeing the operations. They will provide leadership for the already existing robust staff running the hospital and institute activities.
The initial focus of the school is on training nurses and midwives. The 2.5-year Certificate of Nursing and Midwifery Courses commence in July 2025, aiming to provide high quality training for nurses who can then be employed throughout Uganda and beyond. As the school develops and expands, this will then include Diploma level training with the possibility of adding further related courses in the future.
Teaching methods now are relying on computer skills, e-learning (e-library) and digital technology, and use of training models.
All teaching staff are Qualified and Accredited Ugandan Nursing Tutors.
Project schedule
Establishment of the training institute commenced in December 2024 with the construction and renovations of buildings and additional facilities, purchasing of training equipment for the Skills Laboratory, the Computer Laboratory and the Library, beds for student hostel, tables and chairs for classrooms and offices, and office equipment.
While a full certificate course takes 2.5 years made up of 2 semesters each year, as the school grows, there will be need of both updating and sourcing new additional equipment. There will also be the need to evaluate need for related courses.
Stages of project:
- Prior to July 2025 – Complete construction and refurbishment of all buildings. Furnish the existing buildings with computers, printers, photocopiers, projectors, e-library and hard copy books, models for Skills Laboratory, beds, desks, chairs, and other requirements; raise funds for equipping school, advertise for students, engage teaching, and support staff.
- July 2025 – Enrol first cohort of +/-100 students.
- First year – Enrol second cohort of students.
- 2.5 years – First cohort of students’ graduate.
Resources needed…
Initial equipment is purchased but there is a desperate need to acquire enough to adequately provide for all students and academic staff to ensure that within 3 years equipment has been acquired for training needs and licensing.
As the school grows and other courses added, so will the demand for purchasing and upgrading equipment.
Integration
This project is in line with the Ugandan Ministry of Health strategic plan 2020/2021 – 2024/5025…a focus of global efforts in improving health impacts through implementing the UHC Agenda in Health and emphasises the need for equitable quality education, promotion of lifelong learning opportunities and skills revolution underpinned by science, technology, and innovation.
Monitoring and evaluation
The project will be monitored and evaluated against the following criteria:
- reduction in infant mortality,
- increase in quantity and quality of equipment,
- increase in the number of students recruited,
- quality of students graduating and performance assessment.
- increased number of students recruited in Hospitals and health centres around Jinja district, Uganda, and surrounding countries.
- number of medical staff (nurses) recruited at GlenZ Dignity Hospital from GlenZ Dignity School of Health Science that have helped to bridge the staff gap.
You can help…
If you wish to contribute to the establishment of this training institute aimed at producing high quality health professionals to significantly improve the health services to this high-risk community, reducing infant mortality rates and improving quality of life, please click on “Donate to this Project” on the right sidebar. Thank you!
All gifts are tax deductible and will benefit this project in their entirety except for bank fees.
