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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
ONE hundred and ninety two students have graduated at the Zimbabwe National Army’s Medical Training School (MTS) after completing courses that provided them with an understanding of the military’s health requirements during times of peace and war. The students were drawn from the ZNA, the Air Force of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police as well as the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo on Friday, the ZNA’s Chief of Staff Administration Major-General Douglas Nyikayaramba said a few students could not make it due to poor performance.

He said courses covered were the State Certified Traumatology Nurse course; the Medical Assistant Nurse course; the Exodontists Group course; the Environmental Health Technicians course as well as the Registered General Nurse (RGN) programme.

“This is no mean achievement as the courses provided the graduands with a clear understanding of the nature of military health requirements during peace and war time.

“All the courses provided the graduands with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude that would enable them to handle any form of health challenges within the organisations during the war and peace time,” he said.

Maj-Gen Nyikayaramba said 28 females were among those who graduated. They were subjected to the same gruelling conditions as their male counterparts which showed the strides women are making in breaking old barriers.

He said he was aware of the challenges the students went through, which was as a result of the general resource shortages affecting the entire organisation, but added that the situation was being addressed.

“The nation and your respective organisations are duty bound to task you as the need arises. You would be asked to provide assistance during national disasters, strikes and health campaigns such as malaria control and HIV/Aids prevention programmes,” he said.

“The organisation takes cognisance of the need to improve your working conditions. This takes a wide range of issues, such as supporting your career plan and progression among others.”

He described the ZNA Medical Training School as the “Home of Medical Excellence.”

He said the institution once again broke the national pass record by scooping all the RGN medals-gold, silver and bronze in December 2014 national final examination set by the Nurses’ Council of Zimbabwe.

He said nursing schools and hospitals such as Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals had helped in fulfilling the school’s syllabi through practical attachment and clinical teaching for the students.